Care for Creation only response to corruption that fuels natural disasters, say Philippino Bishops

The warning issued by the Bishops' Conference on the occasion of the ‘Season of Creation 2025’ scheduled from 1 September to 4 October. Cardinal David: becoming ‘responsible stewards of the earth’ on a ‘path of justice, peace and love’. Corruption and malfeasance are denounced as ‘the real disaster’ that is ‘sinking the Philippines’.

Manila (AsiaNews) - Caring for the environment is a ‘common’ and “urgent” responsibility because it is of primary importance for the entire community. This is the warning issued by the Philippine bishops to priests, nuns and Catholics in the country in their message for the ‘Season of Creation 2025’, which is celebrated throughout the archipelago from 1 September to 4 October.

On this occasion, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), addressed the faithful, inviting them to become ‘responsible stewards of the earth’ because caring for creation is ‘a moral and spiritual duty’ as well as ‘a path of justice, peace and love.’

The cardinal recalls the ‘many challenges’ to be faced, starting with climate change, which ‘disproportionately impacts’ the world's poor and vulnerable communities. To this, the bishop of Kalookan adds the ‘reckless exploitation’ of resources, a ‘burden’ that falls on the least among us.

In recent weeks, Cardinal David continues, the invitation is to live with ‘faith and courage’ the task that Jesus entrusted to man to take care of the earth, urging parishes, communities and ecclesiastical institutions to pursue a path of sustainability and praying for ecological conversion.

His appeal is to ‘protect forests, seas and skies’ as well as to reduce waste and safeguard life ‘for future generations,’ a mission that must be fulfilled ‘every day’ in ‘daily life.’

The theme of ecological protection goes hand in hand with the fight against corruption and the moralising campaign that the local Church has been promoting for decades to combat abuse and malpractice, particularly in public works that are of profound value to the entire community.

This is a sensitive issue in a country prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons and floods, the effects of which are often amplified by the neglect or lack of attention with which roads, buildings and infrastructure of primary importance are constructed.

These include government projects for flood prevention, while for Cardinal David, “the real disaster” that is “sinking the Philippines” is “the betrayal of public trust”. Corruption, he warns, is like “a flood that submerges our future”.

Analysing the issue of public works, the president of the bishops also questioned the “credibility” of the Senate's investigation into alleged irregularities within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

'A Senate inquiry is underway into corruption in flood control projects. But let's be honest: can politicians credibly investigate the very system from which many of them benefit?‘ wrote the cardinal.

He then recalled the revelations about the so-called ’anatomy of corruption‘ in infrastructure projects, saying that commissions and experts empty the coffers, leaving only ’about 40%, or even less, for the budget".

This is far too little capital for the effective implementation of credible projects that promote and fuel a chain of subsequent interventions, which also become a source of profit and malfeasance.

Among those who call for and support ecological conversion and care for the earth, our common home, is Monsignor Gerardo Alminaza, bishop of the diocese of San Carlos and president of the CBCP's Social Pastoral Commission.

In his message, which combines the themes of peace and creation, the prelate reminds us that we are all called to plant ‘the seeds of hope and peace’. There are so many conflicts in the world today, and everyone is affected, especially marginalised communities.

"We are not giving up our hope. We continue our efforts to care for one another and the environment,’ said Bishop Alminaza. ‘Join us, people of good will, in caring for our common home,’ he said.

Continuing on the theme of the environment and creation, Monsignor Gilbert A. Garcera, Archbishop of Lipa, called for ecological conversion and the management of the common good. ‘We must deepen the ecological spirituality of our local Church and empower communities to take concrete action to care for creation and promote communion with the Universal Church's call to integral ecology,’ he added.

Finally, Monsignor Reynaldo G. Evangelista, Bishop of Imus, concluded by emphasising that every Christian must know how to protect nature. ‘Each one of us,’ he warned, ‘is the hope of the nation, the hope of Mother Nature.’

• Philippines
• bishops
• corruption
• environment
• public works
• natural disasters