MANILA, Oct. 30, 2009— Shops which sell Halloween merchandise have been accused by a leading churchman of encouraging bad behavior.

The Bishop of Masbate said retailers are helping to promote negative impact on All Saints’ Day and creating a “climate of fear” especially among the children.

The Most Rev Joel Baylon called on retailers to rethink the way their stores promote Halloween and offer children “positive” alternatives alongside their witch costumes and skeleton masks.

“I’m worried that Halloween has the potential to trivialize the realities of evil in the world and occult practices should not be condoned, even if they are only being presented like toys,” he said.

Baylon said huge task still goes to the parents by not encouraging children to dress up for Halloween, saying they should instead focus on the positive messages of All Saints’ Day.

“Instead of focusing on the spiritual meaning of the occasion, children’s attentions are often diverted to the Halloween which is not good,” Baylon said.

He insists he is no killjoy, but says parents should not be pressured into buying goods promoting the “negative side of Halloween.”

“Let’s assume that it’s not harmful to the adults but for the young minds, we are giving them the wrong perceptions about the dead. We are teaching them the wrong values,” said the prelate.

Bp Baylon reiterated he is not being spoilsport, but he is simply reflecting the concerns of many parents and teachers to across the country.

US-style celebrations of Halloween—including "trick or treat"—have become increasingly popular in the Philippines, especially in Metro Manila, over recent years. (Roy Lagarde)