A parish Easter presentation in Malabon has drawn criticism from an animal welfare group after a dove was allegedly subjected to distress and killed during a ritual, raising concerns over the use of live animals in religious practices.
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said it was “deeply concerned and shocked” over the incident at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of the Immaculate Conception, where a live dove was used as part of an Easter reenactment.
The group said the bird was “tied to a string, its wings forcibly spread with a stick” and hoisted to remove the veil covering a Marian image.
It added that the dove was later “tied to balloons, and the balloons were released, killing the bird and polluting the environment in the process.”
The incident raises questions about the use of live animals in religious rituals, particularly practices that may cause harm or distress.
“Does the Church have to unnaturally and unnecessarily kill animals in a gimmicky version of the ritual?” the group said, urging Church authorities to reassess such practices.
While acknowledging the sincerity of religious devotion, PAWS said the use of a live animal in a manner that causes harm “is inconsistent with the values of compassion, stewardship, and care for all of creation.”
The group called for more humane approaches to religious presentations, stressing that faith traditions uphold kindness toward all living creatures and that worship should reflect both reverence and responsibility.
“Cruelty has no place in religious celebrations or in any type of gathering in our society,” it said.
As of this writing, Church officials have not released a statement yet in response to the incident and the concerns raised by the animal welfare group.
