AMID the threat of the El Niño, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday called on the faithful to put up a united stand in combating the prevailing climate crisis.
In a video message for the annual Laudato Si’ Week, CBCP President Bishop Pablo David said they are urging everyone to be one in heeding the call of Pope Francis to protect the Earth.
“Our objective is to bring the whole human family together… and that includes all fellow Christians from other traditions and denominations and all fellow believers from other faith communities… to protect the Earth, our common home,” said David.
“Please, let us be one in declaring a state of climate emergency,” he added.
The Kalookan prelate said that in doing so, everybody must raise the conversation on Mother Nature and the environment at every possible opportunity.
“Make environmental advocacy a point of departure for our group discussion in our organizations and institutions,” David said.
For the week of May 21 to 28, the worldwide Catholic Church is celebrating the Laudato Si’ Week.
The week-long global event marks the 8th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on creation care issued in June 2015.
The call of the CBCP also comes amid the threat of El Niño, which is described as causing irregular and intense climate changes.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the El Niño is projected to start in June and may persist until the first quarter of 2024.
