Promoting life in Asia at Easter, from protecting creation to saying no to war
In Indonesia Cardinal Suharyo said that a more sober lifestyle is a moral duty, even more than a response to the energy crisis. In the Philippines Cardinal David spoke about popular reaction that resulted in the mistreatment of an animal. It is right to criticise, but this case should teach how to respect every human life. For Sri Lanka’s Cardinal Ranjith, even in politics, “leadership is service,” not domination over others.
Milan (AsiaNews) – During Easter services, many Asian bishops urged the faithful to include the message of life of the Risen Lord and prayers for peace in their daily lives.
In Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo called for a more sober lifestyle and greater care for the environment as a fruit of Easter. Speaking to the faithful during the liturgy on the day of Jesus's Resurrection, he emphasised how environmental destruction is a direct consequence of human greed and must be addressed through moral conversion.
“Care for the integrity of creation" is one of the themes of the 2026 pastoral guidelines of the Archdiocese of Jakarta, but it takes on particular significance at a time marked by international crises.
“We see and feel that the world is in uncertainty. The Israel-United States attack on Iran, followed by retaliation against Israel, has brought the world to the brink of an energy crisis” that affects “people’s needs,” Card Suharyo said. “The current wars, with all their horrors, are violations of international law. Their consequences are devastating – not only for the world and the planet, but for humanity itself,” he stressed.
For Christians, the task is to respond with gestures of hope. “Even in darkness, there is always light,” the prelate said, and “we are called to rebuild life based on morality rooted in the risen Christ – respecting human dignity, caring for one another, and restoring our shared life”.
For the prelate, “Integral ecology is not just about electricity, water, waste, or trees. It concerns the entire ecosystem of the world. And greed, by its very nature, is destructive.” Hence, the faithful to adopt a sober lifestyle.
“Saving energy is a moral obligation. We must do it consistently, without waiting for a crisis,” Card Suharyo said. "Any effort that destroys Christian moral values must be opposed – corruption, violence, and policies that neglect the weak and marginalised”. Ultimately, “we must continue to stand firm in faith, strong in hope, and burning in love.”
In the Philippines, a regrettable incident gave Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, bishop of Kalookan, the opportunity to reflect on respect for life.
“People have reacted strongly – and rightly so – to the use of a pigeon in place of a child for the unveiling of the image of the Sorrowful Mother during the Salubong ritual in one of our parishes, especially the way it was bound and released with balloons carrying the black veil. It is regrettable. Had I been aware of this beforehand, I would not have approved,” the prelate said.
“I share this concern for the care of creation, and I have directed our communities accordingly,” he added. “At the same time, I cannot help but wish that we showed the same moral urgency and collective outrage for the loss of human life. We have witnessed people killed on mere suspicion of drug use.”
“We now see innocent civilians – including young students – caught in the violence of war, as conflicts continue to escalate and devastate entire societies,” the cardinal lamented. “Only when our sense of moral concern becomes whole, and not fragmented, can we truly say that we are defending life in all its dignity.”
The theme of peace was also central to the Easter message issued by the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcom Ranjith.
"Leadership is service. Leadership is love. Leadership is a good example. But look at what they are doing. Murdering innocent men, women, and children. Bombing indiscriminately, causing starvation to many people,” causing “all types of economic and social difficulties," the cardinal said.
“So, how can you say that you are a Christian if you do that? This is an inward-looking mentality. Jesus Christ did not speak about an inward-looking mentality. He spoke about resurrection, life, joy, and happiness,” said Card Ranjith. Instead, “We should pray a lot these days for world peace and happiness. We have to ask the Lord to bring peace, to bring thoughts of peace”.
“Christianity,” he added, “ is not simply about offering prayers or reading sacred scriptures. It is about living with purpose, showing compassion to neighbours, and serving others.” “There is a saying that leaders should serve their people. But today, many in power act as rulers rather than servants, driven by the pursuit of power.”
(Mathias Hariyadi e Melani Manel Pereira contributed to this article)
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