Manila Archdiocese Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo has reminded the faithful of their role as stewards of God’s beautiful creation.

“We are here to care for God’s beautiful creation, to cultivate it and care for it. That is our role here on earth to care and protect our God-given environment. Sadly, that is not what we are doing, We are slowly destroying our ecosystem,” Pabillo said in his homily during the opening mass recently at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila of the 8th Season of Creation and the 5th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
Reflecting on the theme of the celebration, “Jubilee of the Earth,” “Jubilee,” Pabillo said, “is a special time for rejoicing. During this time, we are asked to rejoice over the Earth and if we rejoice, we must value and take care of it,” he said.
“We are asked to rejoice for the gift of creation because we know that creation is a gift of the wisdom and the love of God. God created all of these through His infinite wisdom and love,” the prelate added.
Pabillo noted that our natural habitat has the capacity “to heal itself.”
“God’s creation has the capacity to restore itself if given enough rest. We have seen that during this time of the lockdown. The air that we breathe is cleaner. Pollution has considerably lessened. Our seas have manifested restoration. Creation has the capacity to restore itself if given enough rest,” Pabillo said.
The bishop urged the faithful to get rid of the so-called “throwaway culture” which worsens our garbage problem. “Buy only what you need, what is necessary. Do not buy in excess or simply out of whim,” he said.
The Archdiocese of Manila Ministry on Ecology will conduct online “Laudato Si” seminars and workshops on Sept. 12, 19, 26, and Oct. 3 and 10. The Church observes the Season of Creation from Sept. 1 to Oct. 11 to coincide with Indigenous Peoples Sunday. In 2015, His Holiness Pope Francis proclaimed September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for Creation.