MANILA, Philippines — A ranking member of the Catholic Church in the Philippines said the government’s decision to declare only November 1 as a non-working holiday sends a "wrong message."
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo reminded the Catholics that the appropriate day for remembering the dead is on All Souls' Day, November 2.
Quevedo urged the priests to inform their parishioners that they are following the wrong tradition as most Catholics prefer visiting departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day or November 1.
"What is happening is that, many Filipinos and dioceses have emphasized All Saints' Day as the time of blessing the dead and blessing the grave. I think that's a wrong one," Quevedo said over Radio Veritas.
"I would think that the time to travel to the province would be November 1 and the actual honoring is November 2 and the time to return would be November 3," he added.
The bishops also asked the public to maintain a meaningful celebration of the Catholic tradition "Undas" that cares not also the dead but also the environment by not turning grave sites into picnic spots.
Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, meanwhile, also reminded Catholics to know the essence of visiting their dearly departed.
"We go to cemeteries to remember them and their good deeds, not for picnic, not for reunion," Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga said.
Quevedo reminded the faithful of the importance of prayers and urged them to pray not only for souls of their deceased loved ones but also for the eternal repose of the souls in purgatory.
"Whether purgatory or elsewhere of those who passed away and we are in solidarity with them when we pray for them and asks our saints to pray for them. Let us remember that when we honor the dead," Quevedo said.