A parish in Malabon drew flak from animal groups and social media users for using a dove as a prop during Easter Sunday rites.
Photo: Animal Kingdom Foundation
According to photos and videos circulating online, the dove was cable-tied to a rod and attached to a bunch of balloons, with its wings restrained.
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Following this Easter Sunday practice drawing backlash, several animal group advocates like the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and Animal Kingdom Foundation condemned the act on Facebook.
“Does the Church have to unnaturally and unnecessarily kill animals in a gimmicky version of the ritual?” PAWS said in a Facebook post.
“Faith traditions have long upheld kindness to all living creatures as an essential principle. In this spirit, we call for a more humane approach to religious presentation where both the solemnity of worship and the dignity and welfare of animals is maintained,” it continued.
The non-profit organization also called to extend more care and kindness towards animals.
“Cruelty has no place in religious celebrations or in any type of gathering in our society. We hope that our shared values of care and devotion for the practice of faith will move us to show the same care and kindness to animals that are entrusted to us.”
In a separate post, the Animal Kingdom Foundation echoed a similar sentiment.
“We hope future celebrations can reflect not only faith, but also compassion for all, even to the most voiceless of God’s creations,” it wrote.
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Kalookan later released an official statement apologizing for what took place. In the statement, it explained that a live pigeon has always been used for their Easter Sunday rites. However, the act of restraining the dove was described as “regrettable.”
“In response, the parish has committed to discontinue this practice. There will be no more balloon-flying in future celebrations, and the dove will be released immediately after the unveiling,” it wrote.
Despite the parish’s apology, both animal welfare groups stood firm in their stance that using live animals in harmful religious practices is cruel.
“We express our highest respect and to our dear Bishop but no, Bishop please. That is not the point. Animal welfare concerns are real and urgent. Releasing the animal after the event does not undo the possible distress, mishandling, nor the possible cruelty it endured prior. The issue is not what happens after, it is that the animal should never have been placed in harm’s way to begin with,” Animal Kingdom Foundation wrote.
“Ending the use of live animals in harmful religious practices is not a rejection of tradition. It is a call to refine it so it truly reflects the compassion, dignity, and respect for life that these traditions are meant to uphold,” it concluded.
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