Public urged: No religious costumes for Halloween

If you’re tired of dressing up as witches and zombies for Halloween, please don’t think about donning a nun’s habit or priest’s vestments as alternative costumes.

This was the appeal of an official of the Archdiocese of Manila yesterday, adding the crucifix must also not be worn inverted as an adornment or “bling” for Halloween as this would be a form of desecration of the cross.

The archdiocese’s Office of Communications head Fr. Roy Bellen said some people have been observed using religious garments and other items for Halloween parties.

He said this was saddening. “You are doing this for the sake of your costume but what you do not know is that you are des- ecrating somebody’s faith. It is something sacred pero binababoy mo… How would you feel if something valuable in your family is disrespected?” Bellen asked.

He added the crucifix must not be trivialized but treated as a valuable part of the Christian life.

In the past, Bellen said there were even Christians and martyrs who gave up their lives because they did not want to renounce their faith.

“People have died. There were people who were told to step on the cross in order to be saved but they did not. This was the time (of) the (persecution). They have so much respect for the cross that they chose death,” the priest said.

“If the cross is only part of your costume, if it is that meaningless to you then we have lost the sense of (sacredness)… These things that are important, we should value them and not allow that they be disrespected,” he added.

Bellen also reminded the faithful to pray for those who died this All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Filipinos observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day every year to pay respects to their loved ones who passed away and spend time with their families.