CBCP asks public to hold ‘Parade of Saints’

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of CBCP-ECL, said such event is not a Christian celebration as Halloween is a “celebration of death” while All Soul’s Day and All Saints’ Day are “celebration of life”. (File Photo: Roy Lagarde/CBCP News)

MANILA — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Laity (CBCP-ECL) on Saturday called on the faithful to refrain from participating in “secular” activities,  including the celebration of Halloween and wearing of scary costumes.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of CBCP-ECL, said such event is not a Christian celebration as Halloween is a “celebration of death” while All Soul’s Day and All Saints’ Day are “celebration of life”.

In an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, the bishop explained why the two-day observance is more about life than death.

He said that when people go visit the dearly departed during these days, they say prayers, offer flowers, light candles and bring food, which are all signs of life. “It is really a celebration of life,” he said.

“Sana po ay pumunta tayo sa sementeryo para alalahanin at ipagdasal ang mga yumao, (Let us go to the cemeteries to remember and pray for our departed),” Bishop Pabillo said.

Instead of wearing terrifying and bloody costumes and masks, he encouraged the faithful to hold “Parade of Saints” or let the children wear costumes of Saints.

The following parishes are holding the annual “Parade of Saints” for the celebration of All Saint’s Day: St. Peter and Paul Parish Makati; Ascencion of Our Lord sa Paranaque; San Antonio De Padua, Marikina; Sta. Cruz Parish in Caloocan; Nuestra Señora Dela Paz Y Buenviaje, Bacoor, Cavite; Sta. Cecilia in Maly, Pangasinan San Roque Catholic School, Mother of Mercy Loma De Gato and St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Marilao, Bulacan.