The Archdiocese of Cebu has launched the 500 Legacy Trees for 500 Years of Christianity program to help promote environmental care and protection.
The Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concerns (CACEC) led the recent launching in line with Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment “Laudato Si” which calls on everyone to do their share in helping care for the environment.
In a circular, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the initiative is in line with the archdiocese’s goal to establish ecological spirituality and action by 2025.
“The 500 Legacy Trees for our 500th 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 (50%) if not all of our parishes, have promoted ecological spirituality and action and thus, concretely manifesting a Church that is truly gifted to give,” said Palma in his circular.
Palma expressed his gratitude to all the parishes that have expressed support to the program.
The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao in Cagayan launched a similar program in January dubbed "Missio 500" which called for the planting of 500 trees in five hundred days.