By Christina Hermoso
A Roman Catholic Church leader has called on the faithful “to be more environment-friendly and help preserve and protect the environment.”
San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza (CBCP/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“This season of Lent, I encourage the faithful to practice abstinence, to minimize or better yet, stop doing things that further destroy our environment,” said San Carlos (Negros Occidental) Bishop Gerardo Alminaza.
“We can sacrifice by not watching too much television as well as the use of electrical appliances to save up on power. We can abstain or totally stop using plastic bags which clog our waterways. Do something that will benefit Mother Earth,” Alminaza said.
The prelate, likewise, encouraged the faithful to observe fasting, and to donate some of their savings to help fund renewable energy projects in parishes.
“The amount that we can save when we fast may be donated to fund renewable energy projects in parishes. In our diocese, we hope to set up a Green Team in every parish that will oversee projects that live out Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment ‘Laudato Si’,” Alminaza said.
The Diocese of San Carlos lauded the local government’s action that declared Negros Occidental as a coal-free province.
Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. signed an executive order recently, declaring Negros Occidental as a primary source of renewable energy and a coal-free province.
Meanwhile, as Catholics mark the Third Sunday of Lent today, the Church continues to call on the faithful “to examine their conscience, to go to confession before receiving the Holy Eucharist, and to do charity work through their parishes.”
Confessional services are traditionally extended during the season of Lent to give churchgoers more time to go to confession for spiritual cleansing. The faithful are also encouraged to visit the Adoration Chapel as well as to do charity work and acts of self-denial and sacrifices in preparation for the solemn observance of the Holy Week.