Cardinal Rosales leads
in celebration of Earth Day

The Archdiocese of Manila will have a week-long celebration of Earth Day beginning on April 17 and ending on April 22, the international celebration for Earth Day.

Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, kicks off the celebration by presiding at a concelebrated Mass at the Quiapo Church at 4 p.m on April 17. After the Mass he will open and bless the Ecology exhibit and attend a presentation on the ecology also at the Plaza Miranda. He is expected to be joined by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes. During the program, the Cardinal will lead in the signing of a commitment to restore the Integrity of God’s creation, which will be mounted on a huge board and displayed at the Plaza. Others who will sign are officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the City of Manila, NGOs and institutions working for the environment and representatives of other sectors. Those who wish to sign will have the chance to do so during the entire week.

According to the Archdiocese of Manila Ecology Desk which is organizing the week-long event, the celebration aims to generate awareness among those in Metro Manila of the important and relevant role that Christians play in preserving and protecting the natural resources that God has given to people of the Philippines and of the world. This, it said, is enunciated in the joint statement of the late John Paul II and Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I titled “Caring for Creation Is Our Spiritual and Moral Duty.”

The activities will also stress the need for more action on the environment which is suffering because of indifference and lack of a sense of stewardship among the people. Posters and photo exhibits on this theme will be put up in parishes of the archdiocese.

Eco friendly products will be displayed at Plaza Miranda to show how zero waste and caring for the environment can be achieved. The products are made by urban poor families from Smokey Mountain, PNR Railway and streets who are benefiting from the Ecology Desk’s program.

On April 22, Earth Day, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila Bernardino Cortez will inaugurate and bless the Archdiocese of Manila’s Ecology Center and Greenhouse at 3 pm.. The center, located at the Caritas Manila compound on Jesus Street, Pandacan, Manila, will provide hands-on training on ecology for parishioners and residents of urban poor communities, and for members of schools and institutions. Here will also be trained scavengers to become ecology aides and to have skills to set up and manage ecology cooperatives. ##

Please refer: Peachy E. Yamsuan
Archdiocesan Office of Communications/5273962