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Laudato Si’ campaign upholds environmental protection

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Mangaluru: The Laudato Si’ campaign led by the Diocese of Mangalore was initiated to propagate and popularise environmental protection highlighted in the encyclical of Pope Francis, namely “Laudato Si’”, commonly known as “On care for our common home”. This initiative was started by Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha to create awareness among the residents of the diocese about their duty towards the conservation of nature.

Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha symbolically began the movement by planting a coconut sapling on September 15, 2018, the day of his ordination. He also handed over one sapling to each of the 124 parishes under the diocese in remembrance of his episcopal ordination and requested them to carry on this noble task every year.

The campaign that was started in 2018 consisted of three levels:

Level I- Laudato Si’ Sunday: November 25, 2018 was declared as Laudato Si’ Sunday. It included Liturgy/prayers and planting of the saplings handed over by the Bishop to each of the parishes in remembrance of his episcopal ordination. This activity at the parish level inculcated a sense of responsibility towards nature among the parishioners.

Level II- Laudato Si’ pledge campaign: The residents of all parishes in the diocese were requested to affix their signatures on the sheets that were circulated, where they pledge to take care of nature and protect the environment. The sheets were circulated to all homes and institutions in the diocese. As many as 1,50,850 people pledged to safeguard nature during this campaign. Each form had a unique code mentioned. These were included as a part of a lucky draw, whose winner would be awarded a sovereign gold coin. The draw was conducted on January 26, 2019 and Lawrence Rodrigues from Kaikamba was declared the winner.

Level III- Slogan Competition: As part of the campaign, a slogan competition was conducted in various languages including English, Kannada, Konkani and Hindi. The theme of the competition was “Nature protection- my responsibility”. The best slogans in each language were awarded prizes. In Konkani- Fr. Vincent Menezes, parish priest of Paldane Church, in English- Harshini K from St. Agnes High School, Mangaluru, in Hindi- Wafah from Kulur and in Kannada- Fr. Rupesh Madtha were declared winners.

Marking the conclusion of this campaign in the year 2018, a seminar was conducted on “Religion and Ecology” on March 13 at the Milagres Golden Jubilee Hall. The symposium was presided over by Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese. The seminar upheld the harmony of religions to promote the conservation of nature. Swami Ekagamyananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru, Moulana Uk Abdul Aziz, Dharimi of the Surathkal Bokkapatna Masjid, Muniraj Renjal, headmaster of Jain High School, Moodabidri and Rev. Fr. Alwyn Serrao, Principal, Padua College, Mangaluru were some of the speakers at the event. The symposium was moderated by Rev. Fr. J B Saldanha, parish priest of St. Sebastian Church, Permannur.

Upholding the same idea of conservation of nature, the year 2019 marked a new milestone in the footsteps of the Laudato Si’ campaign. On June 30, 2019 over 1,00,000 saplings will be planted by the residents of the Mangalore Diocese accompanied by prayers and the liturgy. This movement, titled “Rakshavandhan”, was initiated by circulating requisition forms to all parishioners asking them to fill the names of the saplings that they, by choice, would plant and nurture. These requisition forms were collected and about 2,00,000 plants were demanded by various parishioners.

Collaborating with the forest department, the Laudato Si’ committee headed by Fr. Richard D’Souza, arranged for the saplings requested by the parishioners, which will be handed over to them by their respective parish priests on June 30. They are expected to plant it by the end of the month.

The campaign doesn’t stop there, however. It will be followed up by the ward Gurkars (head of each ward in a parish) to whom a picture of the sapling being planted is shared via Whatsapp, which eventually reaches the committee members. Since the demand for saplings is quite a lot, the committee members are linking the families to trusts like Nareja, Krishi Ilake (agriculture department) since they award a lump sum amount to those who purchase more than 100 plants.

A seminar for all high school teachers was also conducted to spread awareness among students. This seminar was coordinated by the Central Board of Education in collaboration with the education department.

The movement also upholds water conservation under the campaign “Jalabandhan”. A team named “Jalayodharu” work in this regard. They give guidance on rain harvesting and recharging borewells. They also help people who are interested in taking up roof water harvesting and helps families achieve these goals in order to save water.

“Preserving nature is the need of the hour and each and every individual should be alerted,” says Fr. Richard D’Souza, Convenor of the Laudato Si’ campaign.

The members of Laudato Si campaign – Fr. Richard D’Souza, Convenor, Fr. Joachim Fernandes, Director, SCC, Fr. Antony Sherra, Secretary, Catholic Board of Education, Fr. Alwyn Serrao, Principal, Padua School, Fr. Pius D’Souza, Episcopal Vicar for religious, Carmelite, Raju Kidyur, Environmentalist, Fr. Vijay Victor Lobo, PRO, Diocese of Mangalore, Irene Rebello, Kulshekar, Louis Pinto, Event organiser, Pius Francis, MCF and a part of Jalayodharu, Robert Franklin Rego, Environmentalist, Sr. Cecelia BS, Provincial of Bethany sisters, Mangaluru province and Sr. Rita Vas, Provincial of UFS, Mangaluru province – work in a united manner to bring about a revolutionary change in the mindset of the people that come under the diocese, towards the conservation of nature and willingness to safeguard the environment.

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