CBCP President Romulo Valles. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday urged the Catholic faithful to observe “ecological conversion” during a time of “climate emergency.”
“As your pastors, we call for a continuing ecological conversion in all our Metropolitan Provinces, Dioceses, Parishes and Basic Ecclesial Communities — to discern the issues and actively care for the earth in personal, communitarian and institutional levels,” CBCP President Romulo Valles said in a pastoral letter.
“The voices of faith must be an indispensable part of our continuing efforts at framing the agenda for collaborative ethical action.”
Valle quoted Pope Francis, who said that the people are currently facing a “climate emergency” that would impel the Church to “take action accordingly, in order to avoid perpetrating a brutal act of injustice towards the poor and the future generations.”
“We also owe it to the next generation of Filipinos to ensure ecological integrity and biodiversity conservation for their own benefit in their own time,” the pastoral letter read.
“We must reject the current ways of excessive production and consumption, which get us habituated to wasteful living.”
The CBCP also said it is also committed to celebrate the “Season of Creation” to integrate ecological advocacy to prayer and liturgical life, as mandated by Pastoral Statement of the CBCP Permanent Council in 2003.
“We, in the Philippine Church, are one with the Holy Father in pursuing common agenda to protect our fragile ecosystem from the threat of the continuing ecological crisis,” the pastoral letter read.
“We have the moral imperative to act together decisively in order to save our common home. This is our Christian duty and responsibility.” /jpv