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Philippine Animal Welfare Society

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MANILA (UPDATED) -- Animal welfare groups called out a parish in Malabon for using a dove as a prop during its Easter Sunday rites.<div> <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775557873652661647092_18571001953002746_1749267925141769197_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Philippine Animal Welfare Society/Facebook</div>In a post, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1402514831909709&amp;id=100064536166418&amp;rdid=fsK89N3vgQKUv8cx#">Philippine Animal Welfare Society</a> (PAWS) called out the Diocesan Shrine &amp; Parish of Immaculate Conception in Malabon for using a dove tied to a rod and a bunch of balloons during its Salubong rites.&quot;The terrified bird was tied to a string, its wings forcibly spread with a stick as it was hoisted up for the sole purpose of removing the cloth covering the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary,&quot; PAWS said, adding that the bird eventually died and the balloons polluting the environment in the process.&quot;Does the Church have unnaturally and unnecessarily kill animals in a gimmicky version of the ritual?&quot; it added.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1280430390890171&amp;id=100067696663263&amp;rdid=blMEDAExOrBUWgHz#">Animal Kingdom Foundation</a>, in a separate post, also called out the practice.&quot;A video of a dove used for a Salubong Ceremony last Easter Sunday caught the attention of many animal welfare advocates. The bird appears to have its WINGS STRETCHED and CABLE-TIED ON A ROD to maintain the appearance of flight throughout the ceremony. While the intention of the tradition is meaningful, this method may have caused discomfort to the animal,&quot; it said.&quot;We hope future celebrations can reflect not only faith, but also compassion for all, even to the most voiceless of God’s creations,&quot; it added.Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of the Diocese of Kalookan, who was present during the rites, said in a statement that he was unaware that the dove was tied to a bunch of balloons because he was only able to watch it from below the pagoda.&quot;I witnessed the unveiling only from below the pagoda and was no longer aware of what followed after the veil was removed. Apparently, the parish has long practiced the use of a dove — rather than a child dressed as an angel — for several decades now, even since after the Second World War, because people felt it was safer and less distressing than suspending a child mid-air,&quot; he said in a statement.&quot;I had honestly presumed that the dove was released immediately after the unveiling. I was not aware that there was a subsequent practice of tying the pigeon to balloons, with its wings restrained. Had I known, I would have objected, because this is not only cruel to the animal, but also harmful to the environment, especially to marine life that may ingest deflated balloons,&quot; he added.Cardinal David gave the assurance that the practice will be discontinued.&quot;Please assure everyone that this practice will be discontinued. There will be no more balloon-flying in future celebrations, and the dove will be released immediately after the unveiling,&quot; he said.The Salubong is a ritual performed during Easter Sunday, signifying the reunion of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. The veil covering the image of the Virgin Mary is traditionally removed by an &quot;angel,&quot; or in most cases, a dove.

Animal welfare groups called out a parish in Malabon for using a dove as a prop during its Easter Sunday rites.

Animal welfare groups called out a parish in Malabon for using a dove as a prop during its Easter Sunday rites.

Malabon parish draws flak for tying dove to balloons; Cardinal Ambo says practice will end

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Malabon parish draws flak for tying dove to balloons; Cardinal Ambo says practice will end

ABS-CBN News

Published April 07, 2026 06:36 PM PHT

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Updated April 07, 2026 07:27 PM PHT

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PAWS

Philippine Animal Welfare Society

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David

Malabon

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