MANILA — An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday reminded the public to respect the tombs of their dear departed by keeping the cemeteries clean when they visit them on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
“Pakiusap po: Huwag nating lapastanganin ang mga puntod ng ating yumao sa mga basurang dadalhin natin sa mga sementeryo. Please, environmental disaster ‘yan (Let’s not desecrate the tombs of the dead with the trash that we would bring to the cemeteries. That would be an environmental disaster),” CBCP Vice President Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.
“Let us be more mindful of the holiness, the sacredness ng ating mga sementeryo. Kaya po ang tawag dyan ay Kampo Santo (Let us be mindful of the holiness, the sacredness of our cemeteries. That’s why they are called Kampo Santo, sacred ground),” the prelate added.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported that several tons of trash were collected from cemeteries after the observance of “Undas” last year.
David also urged the faithful to make the cemeteries holy by offering prayers to their departed family members.
“Magdasal naman tayo, gawin nating banal ang pagdalaw natin. Naniniwala tayo sa ‘Communion of Saints’, ang pagkakaugnay ng lahat ng mga banal. Si Kristo ang nag-uugnay sa atin sa isa’t isa kaya itutok natin ang pagdiriwang nito (Let us pray to make our visit holy. We believe in the ‘Communion of Saints’ that links all those who are holy. Christ is the one who connects all of us. Let this be the focus of the celebration),” he added.
The CBCP official said God does not want any human being to suffer in hell, noting that He gives everyone a chance to be with Him.
“Ang mga nabuhay kay Kristo ay laging may pag-asa ng muling pagkabuhay — kung sila ay nakaugnay kay Kristo (Those who live in Christ always have hope to live again — if they are connected to Christ),” he said.
“It’s like Christ had an experience of hell by suffering and dying. Pero ito ay tiniis nya dahil ibig nyang hanguin tayo sa pagkakawalay sa kanya. Siya ang tulay natin (But he endured all of these because He does not want us to be separated from Him. He is our bridge),” David added. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
