Last Updated: 25 September 2026
St. Mary’s Metropolitan Church, Changanacherry (“we”, “our”, “us” or “the Church”) respects the privacy of everyone who visits and uses our website.
This Privacy Policy explains how information may be collected, used, stored and protected when you use our website and its services.
1. Information We May Collect
Depending on the services you use, we may collect information such as:
- Name
- Mobile number
- Email address
- Address or parish-related information
- Family or membership details where voluntarily submitted
- Details submitted through enquiry, registration or application forms
- Qurbana intentions and other spiritual-service requests
- Details required for certificates or parish services
- Payment and transaction information for online offerings or other payments
- Information submitted when booking parish facilities
- Messages and correspondence sent to the Church
We collect only information that is reasonably necessary for the particular service or purpose.
2. Payment Information
Where online payments are provided, payments may be processed through third-party payment service providers.
The Church does not ordinarily receive or store complete debit-card, credit-card, UPI PIN or banking credentials on its website. Such information is handled by the applicable payment service provider according to its own security and privacy practices.
Transaction information such as payment status, amount, reference number and related details may be retained for accounting, verification and administrative purposes.
3. Qurbana Intentions and Spiritual Services
Information submitted for Qurbana intentions, Mass offerings, intentions for the departed, novenas or other spiritual services may be used by authorised Church personnel for arranging and administering those services.
Such information may be shared internally with the priests or authorised parish personnel responsible for fulfilling the requested service.
We request users not to submit unnecessary sensitive personal information through public forms.
4. Parish Registrations and Forms
Information submitted through parish forms, registrations, applications or enquiries may be used for:
- Providing the requested parish service
- Maintaining parish records
- Communicating with the person concerned
- Administrative and pastoral purposes
- Generating receipts, certificates or confirmations
- Preventing misuse or fraudulent submissions
Access to parish information should be limited to authorised personnel according to their responsibilities.
5. Photographs, Videos and Parish Events
The Church may photograph or record parish liturgies, celebrations, meetings, programmes and other public or parish activities.
Photographs and videos may be published on the Church website, social-media channels, publications or other official communication platforms for parish communication and documentation.
Where appropriate, individuals may contact the Church regarding concerns about the publication of identifiable photographs or videos.
6. Website Cookies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Keep the website functioning properly
- Remember certain preferences
- Understand website usage
- Improve website performance and user experience
- Support embedded services and content
Some third-party services embedded in the website may also use their own cookies or similar technologies.
You may control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect some website functions.
7. Analytics and Technical Information
The website may automatically receive certain technical information when you visit, such as:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device type
- Operating system
- Pages visited
- Approximate usage information
- Date and time of access
This information may be used for website security, troubleshooting, statistics and improving the website.
8. Third-Party Services
Our website may use or link to third-party services, including payment gateways, email services, SMS/WhatsApp communication services, Google services, social-media platforms, video platforms, maps and other external services.
These services may process information according to their own privacy policies and terms.
The Church does not control the privacy practices of third-party websites or services.
9. WhatsApp, SMS and Email Communications
If you provide your mobile number or email address for a parish service, we may use it to send relevant communications such as:
- Service confirmations
- Receipts
- Registration confirmations
- Parish announcements
- Information relating to a requested service
Where applicable, communication preferences and applicable consent requirements will be respected.
10. Data Retention
We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or where retention is required for legitimate administrative, accounting, legal, archival or pastoral purposes.
Certain parish records may need to be retained as permanent or long-term Church records.
11. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, misuse or destruction.
However, no website or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Users should avoid submitting passwords, PINs, banking credentials or other highly confidential information through ordinary website forms.
12. Children’s Privacy
The Church may provide services and programmes intended for children and young people.
Where personal information concerning minors is collected, it should be provided by or with the involvement of a parent, guardian or authorised parish representative where appropriate.
We do not knowingly seek unnecessary personal information from children through the website.
13. External Links
Our website may contain links to websites operated by other organisations, institutions, schools, associations, social-media platforms or other third parties.
Once you leave our website, the privacy practices of the external website will apply. We encourage users to review the privacy policy of any external website they visit.
14. Your Requests
Depending on the nature of the information and applicable law, you may contact the Church to:
- Ask about personal information held by the Church
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion where deletion is appropriate
- Raise a concern about the use of your information
- Withdraw a previously provided communication preference where applicable
Some requests may not be possible where information is required for legitimate Church, administrative, accounting, legal or archival purposes.
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
The Church may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, legal requirements or administrative practices.
The latest version will be published on this page with the applicable “Last Updated” date.
16. Contact Us
For questions, concerns or requests relating to privacy and personal information, please contact:
St. Mary’s Metropolitan Church, Changanacherry
Changanacherry, Kerala, India
Email: metropolitanchurchchry@gmail.com
Phone: +91 9074 209 029
Important Notice
By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Policy is intended to describe the Church’s website privacy practices. It does not replace any rights or obligations that may arise under applicable law or from specific parish, sacramental, administrative or archival requirements.