Manila (Agenzia Fides) - The issue of "caring for creation" and "protecting the environment" are central to the development and future of the Philippines, as throughout the planet: this is what was reiterated in the demonstration that yesterday, 1 September, gathered over five thousand people of various backgrounds and cultures in Manila, on the occasion of the "World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation". Representatives of various parishes and dioceses, environmental supporters and associations joined the event.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, who presided over the solemn Mass for the opening of the "Season of Creation", said to those present: "It is prayer and the relationship with God that encourages awareness and commitment to protect our common home, and to lead a personal and family life according to the criteria of environmental sustainability".
The "Season of Creation", proclaimed by the Filipino Church to bring to the attention of all these themes, will last from 1 September to 4 October 2019, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. The event is promoted by the Philippine section of the Global Catholic Climate Movement, which reminded the population of the urgent appeal by Pope Francis to all people of good will in his encyclical Laudato Sì, to "take care of our common home" . Pope Francis encouraged the Global Catholic Climate Movement to "continue to build networks so that the local Churches respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor with determination".
"Since its foundation in the Philippines in 2016, the movement has worked hard to promote various awareness-raising activities in schools, parishes and society", said Mgr. David, vice president of the Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. "The impact of climate change is felt more intensely in our country. Given that the majority of the population of the country is Catholic, the Movement has developed a wide network of cooperation, always taking steps and drawing inspiration from Laudato Sì, in all the Philippines", said to Fides Mary Grace Tan, one of the participants of the Day. (SD) (Agenzia Fides, 2/9/2019)
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