Eating meat during Holy Week 'not forbidden'

Sunday, April 17, 2011

DAGUPAN CITY -- A church official clarified that eating meat during Holy Week, which started Sunday, is not forbidden contrary to common beliefs.

"Walang masama doon sa pagkain ng karne kasi walang galing sa labas na nagpaparumi sa atin. Ang pinagmumulan ng karumihan ay yong nanggagaling sa ating puso. So hindi masama ang kumain ng karne," said Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

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He explained that the public was told not to eat meat during the Holy Week because "meat is delicious."

"Hindi muna tayo magpapasarap sa araw na ito. Kailangan, yong hindi mo kakainin, ipapamigay mo," the prelate said.

He said fasting and charity go hand-in-hand. He also said that the meaning of abstinence is the same with fasting.

Villegas reiterated that the most important thing is sharing.

He said fasting is not only done during Holy Week and Ash Wednesday, but it should also be done before getting a Holy Communion.

"Gusto kong banggitin sa awareness ng ating tagapakinig na ang fasting ay tuwing tayo ay magko-cummunion din. Kapag kayo ay magsisimba at gusto ninyong mag-communion, isang oras bago ang Holy Communion ay hindi kayo kakain," he said.

Villegas appealed to the churchgoers to respect the house of God.