CBCP cited for environmental advocacy

Leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and their respective communities of the faithful received awards for their stance against environmental destruction and degradation, given by one of the foremost climate conservation groups in the Philippines.

The Climate Reality Project-Philippines, the local mission of the pioneering nonprofit organization established by world-renowned climate proponent, Nobel laureate and former United States vice president Al Gore, bestowed upon CBCP some of its highest honors in its annual Climate Reality Leadership Awards held in November 2018.

The citations were formally given to CBCP as an organization and to its individual leaders during a separate special ceremony held recently.

The CBCP received the Luntiang Karaykaray Award, which is given to groups, networks or alliances that help elevate environmental issues from the grassroots level to the international arena. “Karaykaray” is a Waray word for small waves and ripples produced by rapids that flow downstream.

CBCP in particular has been consistent and strong in its stance against environmental destruction, releasing a pastoral statement entitled “What is happening to our beautiful land?” which has been cited in Pope Francis’ seminal encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si.” CBCP has also issued a statement following the encyclical, “On Climate Change: Understand, Act, Pray,” which gives importance to the reality, science and solutions to climate change, and urges Filipinos to take concrete action in taking care of the environment.

The award was received on behalf of CBCP by its president, Rev. Romulo Valles, and vice president, Rev. Pablo Virgilio David, in front of more than 80 bishops and archbishops of the organization.

The Luntiang Kaisog Award was also formally given to Rev. Alberto Uy and the faithful community of the Diocese of Tagbilaran. This special award is given to grassroots individuals, groups and their partners who strongly stand for climate justice. The same award was also given to Rev. Daniel Parcon, of the Diocese of Talibon; Rev. Gerardo Alminaza, of the Diocese of San Carlos; and Rev. Jose Palma, of the Archdiocese of Cebu, along with their respective faithful communities.