THE Archdiocese of Cebu yesterday launched a committee that will look into issues concerning the environment.
During the “Mass for the Environment,” the 51st International Eucharistic Congress Committee on Environmental Concern (IEC-CEC) was launched wherein partners pledged to take care of the environment and protect the poor.
During the launching, a memorandum of agreement was signed between the Archdiocese of Cebu and its partners: the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Metro Cebu Water District, Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water, and University of San Jose-Recoletos.
In his homily, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said about 800,000 seedlings, including 13,500 in pocket forests, will be planted by the committee in the different parishes in time for the rainy season. This is in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The creation of the IEC-CEC is the [archdiocese’s] “act of penance” for the cutting down of 260 trees to make way for the construction of the IEC Pavilion in Mabolo, Cebu City.
It is also the archdiocese’s answer to be true stewards of God’s creation.
After the mass, the flagship program of IEC-CEC, the “Parish Community-based Pocket Forest Program” was also introduced.
CEC’s pocket forest program gives importance not only on the technical training in planting native trees, but also the environmental-ecological spirituality formation of CEC counterparts in the parishes.
Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu Dennis Villarojo believes that spiritual formation is the emergence of conscience in which the “relationship” between the people and Nature, between planter and Creation, must be cultivated as well.
The Mass was also in commemoration of the anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si (“Praise Be With You”).
Laudato Si, launched on June 18 last year, criticizes the different human activities that contributed to the deteriorating condition of the environment and the ensuing climate change.
Archbishop Palma encouraged everyone to care, love and develop the environment not only for our sake, but also for the children’s. /USJ-R Intern Dafne N. Wenceslao