Tagle to lead mass for environment protection

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will lead the opening of the “Season of Creation” mass today at the Manila Cathedral, during which he is expected to remind the faithful to take care of the environment.

In a statement, Tagle said this year’s mass would be special because of Pope Francis’ encyclical that centers on the environment.

Pope Francis has declared Sept. 1 as World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

Tagle said the encyclical “presents timely reminders to people as they celebrate the Season of Creation, a special period in the Church dedicated to thanksgiving for the wonderful things God creates, and to being mindful of everyone’s duty and responsibility in protecting, preserving, and respecting the environment and all of God’s creation.”

Tagle said the observance of the Season of Creation and World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation should focus on the poor and the need for ecological conversion. 

”It should be a time to listen to the cries of the poor and the groaning of the Earth, for a stop to the greed of businesses that seek profit at all cost and the common good,” he said.

The Ecological Justice Interfaith Movement (EcoJIM) said it recognizes the existence of an ecological crisis, citing the adverse weather conditions and food and water crisis.

The EcoJIM, with church-based organizations as among its convenors, said everyone has the moral obligation to address climate change.

“This global crisis is as much a spiritual crisis as it is an environmental and politics crisis. As an interfaith movement, it is only fair and just that we humbly recognize and acknowledge the faults and failures that we have committed to the environment as well,” the group said.

The 5th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in its recent assessment report, said more people would become poor because of the impact of climate change, particularly its effects on agriculture.