Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo challenged Catholics to stop commercialism and the throw-away culture, which prevent people from caring for the creation and the poor.
Pabillo made the statement at the opening of the “Season of Creation,” the annual invitation for Christians around the world to pray and care for creation. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines first held the month-long Season of Creation in 2003.
“Hindi [dapat] tayo mahulog sa commercialism. [Ito] ang pag-iisip sa sarili. Dahil iniisip natin ang ating sarili, nakakalimutan natin ang mga mahihirap. Di natin nabibigyan `yung mahihirap kasi mas iniisip natin ang sarili natin,” Pabillo told the Varsitarian in an interview.
Pabillo said eliminating the throw-away culture in Filipino lifestyle was needed to be responsible stewards of creation.
“Palakasin pa ang pagpapagalaga sa kalikasan. Kailangan ng change of lifestyle dahil tayo ang nagdidikta [ng gagawin natin]. Tanggalin ang throw-away culture at magtipid. Huwag basta-basta magtatapon ng basura. Recycling at segregation ang kailangan,” he said.
With this season’s theme, “Caring for Our Common Home in Communion with Communities,” Pabillo said prayers and formation on the care for creation would be held in parishes to raise awareness on the state of the environment.
“Maging conscious tayo sa nangyayari sa kalikasan. Alamin ang liham ng Santo Papa na Laudato Si. [Diyan] nanggaling ang tema nga ating mga programa,” the prelate said.
Pope Francis released the environmental encyclical in May 2015 urging nations to recognize the deteriorating state of the environment and highlighting people’s moral responsibility in caring for the planet.
The Fifth Season of Creation began on Sept. 1 with a Eucharistic celebration for the Second World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. It was led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Bishop Pabillo.
The “Walk for Creation,” a symbolic walk of commitment to care for the creation as a response to Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si, followed the Mass.
A Laudato Si “village” – which consisted of display exhibits, workshops, and demonstrations about the care for creation – was launched at Plaza Roma in Intramuros, Manila. The program included a signature campaign and a logo design contest.
