Petition signing for Global Catholic Climate Movement to follow
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro is inviting the people of Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao to join a conference on Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment to be followed by a call to action with the signing of a petition for the Global Catholic Climate Movement.
In a pastoral letter addressed to the lay faithful in the archdiocese, civil society, government agencies, business, media and academic institutions and members-partners of Tulay Kalinaw Mindanao, H.E. Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D. Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro explained the rational for the conference.
“As part of our collective effort to learn how to ‘Care for our Common Home’, I am inviting you and your organization/institution to a Theological Conference on Laudato Si’ on September 18, 2015 from 2:00-5:00PMat 2nd Floor Cronin Hall, St. Augustine Cathedral.
Bishop Ledesma said Rev. Fr. Rey Raluto, Ph.D. STHD, a professor of St. John Vianney Theological Seminar will be the resource speaker.
The Earth is our Common Home
“Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical to all the peoples of the world reminds us again of our divine responsibility to care for God’s creation that we must live out in our daily lives. On the contrary, we have neglected this very solemn responsibility.”
According to the prelate, the people of the Earth have failed to conserve, protect even defend the vast treasures that God bestowed to humanity.
“Our ecosystems have been destroyed from the forest down to reefs; our once beautiful and bountiful land has been reduced to mere subject for materialism and profits of the few,” he stressed.
As a result of this irresponsibility many of our people languish in poverty, deprivation and inequalities as graphically experienced by Cagayan de Oro with the tragedy brought by Sendong.
“We must listen to the cry of the earth and integral to it, is to listen to the cry of the poor,” he added.
“In the face of this enormous challenge, the Holy Father reminds us of the centrality of “ecological conversion,” a transformation of the heart. It is only through this process of renewal, as we regain our identity as stewards of creation, we can see the urgency to do something, to care for our common home.”
Pope Francis’ encyclical stresses that environmental ecology is closely linked to an “ecology of man.” Our relationship to the environment stems from our relationship to one another.
The Bishop said it is within the capacity of every individual to help care for creation even in simple ways, thus, lay men and women, organizations, institutions and every faithful are encouraged to observe and actively participate in the stewardship – protection of our Mother Earth.
“One of the activities we foster is a response to the problem of Climate Change. Thus, we are invited to let our voices join Pope Francis’ call for Climate Justice and actively participate in the Global Catholic Climate Movement signature campaign,” the archbishop said. “Let us gather 10 million signatures to press our political leaders to have political will to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.”
As a response to Laudato Si’, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro launched a Season of Creation during the Feast of the city’s patron St. Augustine last August 28 which will conclude on October 7, 2015, the Feast of our Birhen sa Kota sa Cagayan de Oro (Our Lady of the Fort of Cagayan de Oro).
“Her protective image on the river should remind us that she is also our Birhen sa Kinaiyahan (Our Lady of the Environment). Here again, all of us are asked to do our share in protecting and conserving the environment by such practices as tree-growing and proper waste management.”
The six Sundays of the Season of Creation will focus on various themes related to our care of the environment and our human society.
Those who wish to join the theological conference may contact Ms. Myrna A. Siose – 09498393383 or Ms. Ada Estepa – 09263667968.
-30-
