Parishes in the Archdiocese of Cebu will now have an ecological ministry.
In a circular letter dated Nov. 3, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma encouraged the establishment of a “Parish Ecological Ministry."
"Apart from the global pandemic that we are all experiencing right now, we are also facing another equally challenging crisis, that is, the environmental crisis. No less than our dear Holy Father Pope Francis has made this as one of his foremost advocacies in his pontificate through his encyclical, Laudato Si," he said.
"Our Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concern, in their efforts to realize and make a significant contribution to this worthy cause, feels the need to have their pastoral initiatives and programs touching base at the parish level and this can be addressed through the setting up of the Parish Ecological Ministry in all parishes in the Archdiocese," added Palma.
The prelate said the new parish ministry is also in line with what the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) National Laudato Si program.
Palma said the task and responsibility of the Parish Ecological Ministry is to implement the 500 Legacy Trees Program and address other environmental concerns that may arise in living the spirit and principles of the Laudato Si.
"The 500 Legacy Trees for our 500 Year of Christianity celebration is our Archdiocesan pastoral initiative to plant and grow fruit-bearing trees. It is our aim that in 2025, at least fifty percent if not all of our parishes, have promoted ecological spirituality and action and thus, concretely manifesting a Church that is truly gifted to give," he said.