Cardinal David Denounces Pigeon Use in Religious Ritual, Calls for Broader Compassion
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David has publicly addressed the strong and justified reactions to a recent incident in a parish where a pigeon was used instead of a child during the unveiling of the Sorrowful Mother image in the Salubong ritual. The bird was bound and released with balloons carrying a black veil, a practice the Cardinal described as regrettable. He stated that had he been informed beforehand, he would not have approved of this method.
Environmental and Animal Welfare Concerns Acknowledged
In his statement, Cardinal David expressed sincere appreciation for the concern shown towards the well-being of the pigeon and the environment, particularly highlighting the potential harm to marine life from deflated balloons. He emphasized his shared commitment to the care of creation and mentioned that he has directed church communities to address such issues appropriately.
A Plea for Equal Moral Urgency in Human Suffering
However, the Cardinal pointed out a critical inconsistency in public outrage. He lamented that while people are deeply disturbed by harm to animals and nature, there is often a lack of the same moral urgency and collective outrage for the loss of human life. He referenced the killings of individuals on mere suspicion of drug use and the innocent civilians, including young students, caught in escalating war conflicts that devastate entire societies.
Call for Non-Selective Compassion
Cardinal David urged that compassion should not be selective. He argued that if society can be moved by the suffering of animals and environmental damage, then it should all the more be consistently and passionately moved by the suffering and destruction of human lives. He stressed that a fragmented sense of moral concern undermines the defense of life in all its dignity.
Only when moral concern becomes whole and inclusive, he concluded, can we truly claim to uphold the dignity of life in every form. This message serves as a poignant reminder to balance our empathy across all beings and situations.
