Humingi ng paumanhin ang Diocese Shrine and Parish of the Immaculate Conception sa Malabon sa ginawang pagtali sa isang kalapati sa mga lobo na ginamit sa Salubong Mass noong Linggo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay.
“I wish to convey my sincere apology regarding the reported balloon-flying incidents during the Salubong ritual this past Easter Sunday,” saad sa pahayag ng parish priest na si Fr. Mariano Bartolome Jr. sa isang Facebook post nitong Miyerkoles.
Ayon sa kaniya, matagal nang gumagamit ang parokya ng mga buhay na kalapati-- sa halip na batang nakadamit anghel-- sa pagtanggal ng belo mula sa imahe ng Inang Nagdadalamhati mula pa nang matapos ang World War II dahil sa “safer and less distressing alternative” umano.
“As a community of faith, we are reminded that our devotion must always be guided by compassion and responsibility. In caring for God’s creation, we honor the Risen Lord who calls us to protect and cherish every form of life,” dagdag ni Bartolome.
Humingi rin siya ng paumanhin kay Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, na nagpahayag nang hindi pagsang-ayon sa ginawa sa kalapati.
Sa isang post sa social media, sinabi ni David na hindi niya ito papayagan kung nalaman niya ito nang mas maaga.
“People have reacted strongly – and rightly so – to the use of a pigeon in place of a child for the unveiling of the image of the Sorrowful Mother during the Salubong ritual in one of our parishes, especially the way it was bound and released with balloons carrying the black veil. It is regrettable. Had I been aware of this beforehand, I would not have approved,” ayon sa obispo.
“I sincerely appreciate the concern expressed for the well-being of the pigeon, as well as for the environment – particularly marine life that may be harmed by deflated balloons. I share this concern for the care of creation, and I have directed our communities accordingly,” dagdag niya.
Sa isang pahayag, kinondena ng animal welfare group na Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) ang nasabing gawain. Sa nakatanggap nilang ulat, itinali ang mga pakpak ng ibon, nakabitin, nakaunat ang mga pakpak, at nakatali sa mga lobo.
“We fully acknowledge and respect the symbolic significance of the doves within religious practices. However, we respectfully emphasize that symbolism should never come at the expense of the welfare and humane treatment of living creatures,” ayon sa AKF.
“As we reflect this sacred season, we are reminded of the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, who saw all creatures as deserving of care, dignity, and respect,” dagdag niya.
Sa isa pang post, sinabi ng AKF na patay na umano ang ibon, na isang “reasonable conclusion” sa pangyayari.
“Imagine being that bird, restrained, surrounded by sudden loud explosions as balloons pop one by one, unable to escape and set itself free. That is not symbolism. That is suffering and torture,” giit ng AKF.
Hinimok din ni David ang publiko na ipakita ang “same moral urgency and collective outrage for the loss of human life.”
“Our compassion should not be selective. If we are capable of being deeply disturbed by harm done to animals and to nature, then all the more should we be moved – consistently and passionately – by the suffering and destruction of human lives,” anang obispo.
“Only when our sense of moral concern becomes whole, and not fragmented, can we truly say that we are defending life in all its dignity,” dagdag niya. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/FRJ GMA News
