Environmentalists Support “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation”
Source: http://topwalls.net/small-flowers-in-the-field/
Environmentalists urged Filipinos from all
walks of life to stand for Mother Earth amid the unfolding climate and
environmental crisis by partaking in the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of
Creation” next Tuesday.
Pope Francis recently declared the annual observance of
the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation” on September 1,
corresponding to the “Day for the Protection of the Environment” of the
Orthodox Church.
According to the “green pope,” the yearly celebration
“will offer individual believers and communities a fitting opportunity to
reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for
the wonderful handiwork which He has entrusted to our care, and to implore His
help for the protection of creation as well as His pardon for the sins
committed against the world in which we live.”
“We are one with the Catholic Church in promoting
awareness and action for environmental sustainability, which is threatened by
irresponsible human behaviors, including the depletion of natural resources,
inane materialism, throw-away culture and polluting practices,” said Sonia
Mendoza, President of the EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental network
espousing clean production and zero waste.
“We congratulate the Church for this latest ‘green’
initiative following the historic release of Laudato Si, which we hope will
evolve into an ecumenical platform for global, national and local efforts
leading to ‘ecological conversion’ within the church and society,” she added.
Environmental and spiritual leaders from other faith groups
also welcomed the reiteration of the papal plea for “ecological conversion”
during the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.”
Rene Pineda, an evangelical Christian, said: “Our common
faith in the Creator of heaven and earth interconnects all forms of lives,
spirits and things. As we continue to
sin, disrespect and desecrate all that is created, we displease God. But as our God loves us eternally, please
pray for the forgiveness of our sins and renewal of vow to respect, protect and
conserve all that He has created.”
Pineda is President of the Partnership for Clean Air, a multi-sector
network promoting better air quality management in the country.
Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) priest Fr. Jun
Silvestre, stated: “The climate crisis affects us all, especially the
poor. We need to act together to push
for ecological solutions, starting with simple things that we can do to lessen
our impact on the environment.”
Silvestre is from the IFI Parish of La Purisima Concepcion in Malabon
City.
The EcoWaste Coalition likewise commended the effort of
the Redemptorists, together with the devotees, to turn the National Shrine of
Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran into a “green” zone.
Aside from declaring the church compound as a non-smoking
area, Baclaran Church has put up large receptacles for the recycling of plastic
bottles and other recyclable discards and has embarked on vegetable gardening
as well.
Baclaran Church is also planning to tap solar power as
clean, safe and renewable source of energy.
-end-
Reference:
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2015/documents/papa-francesco_20150806_lettera-giornata-cura-creato.html
http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=62618
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