Charity first before Christmas party — bishop

MANILA, Philippines — Do some charity this Christmas, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reminded the Filipino faithful during this week of Christmas parties.

Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP public affairs committee, said that while extravagant parties are normal during the season, it would be best to care for the poor and people in need.

“We don’t want to impose how they are going to make their parties. If they want to spend, they can spend. The only thing is let us also try to remember that there are also some people suffering,” suggested the priest of Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Parish.

Secillano said Christmas is a perfect opportunity to share their blessings “whether it be in the form of material benefits, finances or prayers.”

“Christmas parties should be simple,” he added.

The priest suggested that the Catholic faithful consider donating to displaced residents of Marawi City who were affected by the government’s war against the Maute terrorist group as well as to the families affected by Tropical Storm Urduja in Eastern Visayas and the Caraga region, which is comprised of the provinces of Agusan del Norte and del Sur, Surigao del Norte and del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.

Another priest, Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, made the same appeal to the Catholic faithful.

“It’s also Christmas tradition and taught by the church to be aware of the poor, victims and needy during Christmas. Christmas is about God’s love. And the spelling of love is G-I-V-E,” Pascual stressed.

Just like Secillano, Pascual suggested that Christmas should be celebrated in a “modest” way without being too “extravagant.”