A ROMAN Catholic bishop said the faithful should be “addicted” to Christ instead of to “Pokémon Go,” warning that the game may be luring them away from God.

Malaybalay Bishop Jose Cabantan advised avid “Pokémon Go” players that churches were for praying and not for playing the popular game.

“Strive to be ‘addicted to Christ’ rather than to these objects that keep us away from the Lord, the source of life,” Cabantan said over Church-run Radio Veritas.

Even churches have not been spared from the “Pokémon Go” craze as some people line up at stalls outside churches to collect items and monsters from the addictive game.

Earlier, the parish priest of Sto. Niño Church in Tacloban City, Fr. Ronel Taboso, said “Pokémon Go” players should be going to church for the right reasons—to pray and not to play.

The vicinity of some churches have become PokéStops in the reality game.

PokéStops are places that allow players to collect items such as eggs and more PokéBalls in order capture more Pokémon.

Cabantan warned: “They should not be addicted to it. The Church is a place of prayer, not for players. Addiction has many forms, and we should be aware of that so we can focus our life on what is essential,” he said. TVJ

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