Planet is our common home. This common home is like a sister with whom we share our life. And this sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will.
“Climate change is contributing to the heart-rending refugee crisis. The world’s poor, though least responsible for climate change, are most vulnerable and already suffering its impact,” – Pope Francis
Anyone on a flight from Sabah or Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia cannot help but be saddened by the sight of large tracts of deforestation that has taken place. These impacts are expected to have numerous environmental and socioeconomic effects, exacerbating existing environmental issues and reinforcing inequality.
Let us recognise our errors, sins, faults and failures, and to have a heartfelt repentance and desire to change.
Pope Francis wrote an “encyclical letter”–a short book that popes write–called Laudato Si’. It encourages us to see how “everything is connected.” The way we treat the Earth, our common home, is a reflection of how we treat each other. Caring for each other means caring for the home we share.
God made the heavens and the earth and it was good. Genesis 1:1-31
Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation. Genesis 2:15
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.
On September 1, the Church of the Risen Christ conducted a paraliturgy and reflection session, followed by a Eucharistic celebration to launch the Season of Creation in the parish. Read more
In conjunction with the Laudato Si Week, Caritas Penang organised a 2 days event to promote the need of care for creation. We begun our first day event in prayer and reflection to renew our hearts to care for creation. Next we visited Tzu Chi Environmental Protection Education Centre to learn how they run the recycle centre. Read more
In line with Lenten theme Renew our hearts to care for our common home, Caritas Penang organised clean up event in collaboration with Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia to raise awareness on proper waste management to help reduce pollution and protect the environment.
This simple action of picking up trash brought people from diverse backgrounds together, united in a common goal, to keep the environment clean. Read more
It was an introduction to what eco-spirituality is relevant to the world's current situation. Eco-spirituality connects the science of ecology with spirituality. It manifests the spiritual connection between human beings and the environment. Current ecological crises have created a need for environmentally based spirituality. As Christians, there is an urgent need to be introduced to and practice it.
Church of the Immaculate Conception participated in Penang World Cleanup Day 2022. Led by Ms. Suzy, volunteers from the church came together to clean up the adopted spot despite the rain.
The Creation Justice Commission (CJC), Diocese of Penang was invited by the Church of the Sacred Heart ( CSH), Kampar to conduct a workshop on the “Introduction of Laudato Si and Stop Plastic Pollution” from 11th Sept. 2022.
This event was conducted in Bahasa Malaysia, for the community from CSH Kampar, to experience the Season of Creation 2022 and the Protect the Earth, Protect Our Children Campaign Year 3 – Stop plastic pollution.
There were talks presented by the CJC team, a “hands-on” experience of how to recycle, and an exhibition of life without plastic.
Caritas Penang is collaborating with Penang State – Creation Justice Commission in care for creation activities and programs. You may access their website for more information on Sustainable Lifestyle and how to care for our common home.
Caritas is the charitable arm of the Roman Catholic Church. It is to spearhead the church’s social mission, to respond to humanitarian crisis, promote integral human development and advocate on the causes of poverty and violence.
Caritas Penang comes under the jurisdiction of The Titular Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang.
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