|
MANILA
Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has called on the
faithful to observe Earth Hour on March 29 as major
cities in the world turn off power for 60 minutes in a
strong statement against global warming.
The
cardinal, a known environmentalist, made the
announcement on Easter Sunday, as he asked the people to
“make amends for our ecological sins.”
“While
there is still time, do something to reverse the tide of
destruction that modern life and human selfishness have
wrought on it [earth],” said the head of the Manila See,
who is also celebrating his 50th anniversary as a
priest.
Manila
is one of 24 cities that have committed to turn off
power for one hour on March 29 to observe Earth Hour.
Earth
Hour, an initiative by the conservation group World
Wildlife Fund for Nature, was first observed in
Sydney
in March 2007 and drew an estimated 2.2 million people
and 2,100 businesses that participated in what is now a
global movement. A total of 175,283 individuals and
11,348 businesses in more than 20 cities across the
globe have signed up at press time to join the power-off
initiative.
Rosales
linked the effort to conserve Earth with Easter, which
he described as a celebration of life when man receives
salvation from the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and
his resurrection.
“On this
joyous day when we celebrate life, we turn to our earth,
our abode, our beautiful home, which still groans and
suffers in need of redemption from the abuses of those
whose responsibility is to safeguard and protect it;
value and treasure it; renew and redeem it,” said the
prelate. He urged Metro Manilans to use the one hour of
“darkness” and being “disconnected” to pray for Mother
Earth.
“It can
be our hour of commitment to be responsible stewards of
nature. It can be our penance for our ecological sins
and offenses and the beginning of our resolve never to
commit those sins again.”
Earlier,
the cardinal was surprised by a message of greeting from
Pope Benedict XVI during a Chrism Mass at the Manila
Cathedral on Maundy Thursday.
The
message was read by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Edward
Joseph Adams as a surprised Rosales covered his face in
disbelief.
“The
community of
Manila,
to which you devote yourself, now enjoys the benefits of
your pastoral zeal, so that it continues to flourish and
spiritually progress,” said the pontiff’s message.
The
nuncio went up to the lectern at the end of the Mass to
also deliver his personal message for the 75-year-old
cardinal.
“Your
archbishop has given himself entirely to you, with
enthusiasm and generosity. His priestly heart has been
open always to everyone,” said Adams as the crowd
applauded twice during the reading of the message. |
