Daven Tamayo

PAWS says Malabon Parish 'missed the point' over use of live dove in Easter rites

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Animal rights group PAWS on Wednesday said the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Immaculate Conception in Malabon appeared to have &quot;missed the point&quot; after they apologized for the use of a live dove for their Easter Salubong rites.The parish&#x27;s Salubong rites earned flak after videos showing a dove tied to a rod went viral on social media.&quot;As Rector and Parish Priest of the Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Malabon, I wish to convey my sincere apology regarding the reported balloon-flying incident during the Salubong ritual this past Easter Sunday,&quot; the parish statement read.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/8/malabon-parish-sorry-for-tying-dove-to-balloons-during-easter-rites-1647">READ: Malabon parish sorry for tying dove to balloons during Easter rites</a></div>They also apologized to Caloocan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, &quot;who was indeed present at the event but witnessed only the unveiling from below the pagoda.&quot;They clarified David was not aware of what took place afterwards.The Diocese of Caloocan has earlier issued an apology, saying the incident was regrettable.&quot;The parish has long practiced the use of a live pigeon-rather than a child dressed as an angel—for several decades, even since after the Second World War, as a safer and less distressing alternative,&quot; the statement read.&quot;The Bishop presumed that the dove would be released immediately after the unveiling. He was therefore dismayed when it was brought to his attention that the pigeon was instead tied to a cluster of balloons, with its wings restrained, and released into the air,&quot; they added.In a social media post, Cardinal David appreciated public concern for the dove and the environment in general.He said he would have objected to the practice if only he knew about it.&quot;As a community of faith, we are reminded that our devotion must always be guided by compassion and responsibility. In caring for God&#x27;s creation, we honor the Risen Lord who calls us to protect and cherish every form of life.&quot;<div> </div><div>MISSED POINT</div>&quot;They seem to miss the point that the act of fastening the dove&#x27;s wings to a tube using cable ties causing the animal extreme suffering while using it as a prop for their presentation is a crime,&quot; PAWS said in a statement.&quot;PAWS urges the Church to not violate the Animal Welfare Act or Republic Act 8485, as amended by RA 10631,&quot; they said.&quot;If we cannot be guided by the basic precept that animals are capable of suffering, and therefore we have a moral duty to prevent suffering whenever we can, we can perhaps be convinced that there is the law that can make violators accountable,&quot; said Atty. Anna Cabrera, Executive Director of PAWS.&quot;The next time this happens, we will file a case, &quot; Cabrera said.PAWS urges the public to be vigilant and submit affidavits if a similar presentation with live animals happens next Easter. <div> </div><div>ENVIRONMENTALIST PRIEST</div>Environmentalist priest from Laudato Si Convergence Fr. Warren Puno also expressed alarm over the incident.He said it was unacceptable for a dove to be tied for the sole purpose of removing the Virgin Mary&#x27;s veil.&quot;Suggestion ko pwede namang may batang kukuha ng belo t&#x27;as pagkakuha ng belo, magpalipad ng kalapati,&quot; Puno said.Puno is the convenor of Quezon for Environment, a member of Tanggol Kalikasan, a Regional Coordinator of Laudato Si Convergence South Luzon under Caritas Philippines, and the Director of the Ministry of Ecology of the Diocese of Lucena.&quot;May mga pamamaraan naman na talagang pwede pa rin maging meaningful, at the same time ligtas at rumerespeto sa karapatan ng lahat,&quot; he said.<div> </div><div>DAVID ANSWERS</div>Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David acknowledged the public sentiment towards the viral incident. &quot;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,&quot; the Cardinal said in a social media post.&quot;It is regrettable. Had I been aware of this beforehand, I would not have approved,&quot; he added.The Caloocan Bishop said he appreciates the concern for the well-being of the pigeon, as well as for the environment.&quot;I share this concern for the care of creation, and I have directed our communities accordingly,&quot; he said.However, David said the public must also stand for the dignity of human life with the same urgency.&quot;At the same time, I cannot help but wish that we showed the same moral urgency and collective outrage for the loss of human life. We have witnessed people killed on mere suspicion of drug use. We now see innocent civilians—including young students—caught in the violence of war, as conflicts continue to escalate and devastate entire societies,&quot; the bishop said.&quot;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,&quot; he added.&quot;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,&quot; he said.

Animal rights group PAWS on Wednesday said the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Immaculate Conception in Malabon appeared to have "missed the point" after they apologized for the use of a live dove for their Easter Salubong rites.

Animal rights group PAWS on Wednesday said the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Immaculate Conception in Malabon appeared to have "missed the point" after they apologized for the use of a live dove for their Easter Salubong rites.