Philippines: An ecumenical walk for creation will be organized on September 1

An ecumenical walk for creation will be arranged on September 1 in Quezon City, northeast of Manila, in the Philippines, to mark this year's World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the start of the Season of Creation 2023.

This year’s Walk for Creation will be held at the Diocesan Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Word, in Quezon City from 5:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

The event will start with a symbolic walk and fellowship, followed by an ecumenical celebration with the representatives of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), with representations from hundreds of church-based organizations, associations, and institutions.

The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, also known as Creation Day, is observed on September 1. It signifies the commencement of the Season of Creation, which extends until October 4. This period coincides with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and commemorates the first anniversary of the publication of the film titled "The Letter."

"The Letter" chronicles the narrative of a pilgrimage undertaken by prominent leaders from the frontlines to Rome to engage in a dialogue with Pope Francis over the papal letter titled "Laudato Si'".

In 2015, Pope Francis authored a significant document titled Laudato Si (Praised Be), which addresses the imperative of safeguarding the environment, confronting the perils and complexities associated with climate change, and mitigating the reliance on fossil fuels.

The film "The Letter" is an intimate dialogue with the Pope, providing valuable insights into the personal background of Pope Francis and hitherto untold experiences from his tenure as the Bishop of Rome.

The theme for this year’s Season of Creation is "Let Justice and Peace Flow: A Mighty River" (5:24).

The biblical figure, Prophet Amos, passionately implores for the continuous flow of justice akin to a river and righteousness akin to an unwavering stream. In the biblical passage (Amos 5:24), Christians are urged to actively participate in the pursuit of justice and peace, namely in the realms of climate and ecological justice. All are called to advocate for and amplify the voices of communities that bear the brunt of climate injustice and the depletion of biodiversity.

Christians must collaborate to advocate for the well-being of the environment. This collaborative effort is akin to participating in a powerful current of tranquillity and fairness.

The rate of biodiversity loss is currently comparable to that observed during the previous great extinction event. The potential outcomes for the younger generation are at risk due to the compounding consequences arising from the depletion of biodiversity and the altering climate.

The imperative to establish tangible harmony with Earth and inside Earth becomes increasingly pressing, and it invites all to engage in introspection, altering both people’s mindsets and behaviors to care for the natural world. When people unite with others in the pursuit of justice and peace, a sense of hope emerges in place of despair.- Santosh Digal