Catholics told: Avoid ‘lavish’ Christmas parties, help typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines (CBCP News) — The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines called on the faithful to do away with lavish Christmas parties in solidarity with the victims of typhoon “Odette."

Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP President, urged Catholics to instead set aside money for the devastated communities.

“Perhaps instead of spending a lot on lavish Christmas parties and exchange gifts, we can put together whatever we can and contribute it to relief operations,” David said.

The CBCP has earlier declared December 25 and 26 as national days of prayer for the typhoon victims.

ON INTERAKSYON: Church sets national day of prayer for ‘Odette’ victims

Dioceses are also encouraged to hold a second collection in all Masses on the said days for the church’s relief operations led by Caritas Philippines.

The church’s humanitarian aid agency said at least 10 dioceses were heavily affected by the typhoon in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

It also released an initial P3 million from its Alay Kapwa fund for the affected dioceses’ emergency relief operations.

Caritas Manila also provided an initial P2.5 million to help in the church’s relief efforts.

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