Karachi, Caritas meets teachers to 'listen' to creation
"Laudato si '" covers a wide range of topics, including the environment, the construction of an "integral ecology" and the effects of consumerism and indifference on our world.
Karachi (AsiaNews) - The Season of Creation begins on September 1 with the Day of Prayer for Creation and ends on November 5, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The theme of the Season of Creation in 2020 is "Jubilee for the Earth: new rhythms, new hope".
In this framework, Caritas Pakistan Karachi, as part of the climate change program with the collaboration of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission of the Franciscan Custody of St. John the Baptist Pakistan and the support of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Keamari organized an awareness session with teachers and staff from Sacred Heart School and Muqddasa Mariam School at Shireen Jinnah Colony, Karachi, on November 5th.
The aim of the session was to boost awareness of how important it is to take care of creation, of natural resources - as it is the common place to live - and even of the universe. The Pope rightly said that it is the commonplace in which we all live and that we must help each other live a better life, and it is our duty to take initiatives to make this universe ever better.
The main guest of the event was Mughal Peter (OFM), of the Custody of the Franciscans in Pakistan. The other distinguished guests were Fr. Bernard Younas (OFM), Dominican Sisters and Fr. Gul Shahazd (OFM), together with Fr. Also Burro (OFM) of the JPIC Commission.
Mansha Noor, executive secretary, led the Caritas Pakistan Karachi team.
Gul Shahzad (OFM) welcomed the distinguished guests in his opening speech and presented the Ajraks (traditional shawl) as a sign of love. In his welcome address he said that we are sensitized to the urgent need to heal our relationships with creation and with one another, as communities and individuals pray and work for the protection of the planet and the poor among us. He also stated that Pope Francis approved the Ecumenical Time of Creation as a time to deepen appreciation and care for our common home.
Bhuro Mangho (OFM) in his presentation highlighted the effects of climate change on human life. He said that God created a wonderful place where man can live, but man also has the power to destroy the nature that God created beautifully. He said we can all take action to save the environment if we are committed to contributing and taking action against climate change. He urged the participants to plant trees in their homes.
Dr. Denial Bashir spoke of "Laudato Si" and said that the spirit of this important document speaks to the care of our common home. It is a magnificent document that covers a wide range of topics, including the environment, building an "integral ecology" and the effects of consumerism and indifference on our world. He explained "Laudato Si '" referring to the Bible. He also reflected on climate change and said we are responsible for creating things that harm human beings. He urged people to plant trees to fight climate change. He suggested that the attendees use house waste material to make things like decoration parts and plant pots.
Ms. Kiran, a teacher at the Sacred Heart School, speaking to AsiaNews, said that climate change is affecting the earth very quickly, so not only humans but also animals and plants are suffering from heat waves and high temperatures. The effects of climate change have been observed on our natural resources especially on water. Pakistan ranks fourth in the world in the use of water.
These seminars of Caritas Pakistan, he said, are really valuable and we learn a lot from them. The learning doesn't end there, but all of us teachers and principals promise to spread the message wherever we go.
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01/09/2016 14:05
