Bombay Archdiocese to step up for environment conservation

THE ARCHDIOCESE, WHICH HAS AROUND 5 LAKH ROMAN CATHOLICS AS MEMBERS, SAID RECENTLY THAT THE CHURCH WILL BECOME A ‘GREEN DIOCESE’

MUMBAI: The Archdiocese of Bombay, which has adopted environment protection as a theme in its community programmes in the past, has decided to step up for environment conservation from September.

The archdiocese, which has around five lakh Roman Catholics as members, said in an official document released recently by the church that it will become a ‘Green Diocese’.

The official, released by the Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias, said, “It is out of respect for God’s creation and the concern for those affected by degradation that the ecological crisis has become a moral issue for Catholics today.”

The official said that the ‘Green Diocese’ programme is a long term initiative that needs to be developed over a period of several years. The programme will be launched on September 1.

The church designated World Day of Prayer of Creation at the Archdiocesan Office of Environment at St. Pius X College, a seminary in Goregaon, which will be the nodal point for the initiative.

The Archbishop appointed Auxillary Bishop Allwyn D’silva to be his delegate in Mumbai to spearhead the initiative. “This is as a result of the encyclical, Laudato Si (On care for our common home), Pope Francis called people of all faiths to take action against environmental degradation and confront the climate crisis,” D’silva told HT.

“Activities such as environmental awareness related to climate change and global warming and various other green measures in the church complexes or their homes will be the directives,” said D’silva.

“The idea is to have more green initiatives, preserve and protect creation, and trickle down Pope Francis’ views into the lives of people,” said Fr Jospeh Gonsalves from the Archdiocesan Office of Environment.

On September 1, all parishes have been asked to spend half an hour in prayer (holy novena ).