Mumbai says no to lamps and candles on All Souls Day to save the environment

The initiative of St. Andrew’s parish priest. No lights on graves in cemetery. Since September the archdiocese of Mumbai has launched the project of "Green Diocese".

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - On the day the universal Church commemorates the dead, the parish of St. Andrew of Mumbai has asked the faithful not to light candles or lanterns to avoid polluting the environment.

 In the weekly parish letter priest Caesar D'Mello writes: "Since our archdiocese wants to become a 'Green Diocese', I ask you to try to make this little effort and avoid lighting the lights on the tombs. Candle grease causes sleep and its smoke is harmful to the environment ".

The church of St. Andrew dates back about 400 years ago and in its cemetery there are many generations of dead. The priest's appeal to refrain from lighting candles responds to the "Green Diocese " project launched on September 1st by card. Oswald Gracias, local archbishop, president of the Indian Bishops 'Conference (CBCI) and also of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).

The project started concurrently with the Day for the Protection of Creation. "Even the Church is attentive to the signs of the times - the cardinal explained - and recognizes the environmental crisis as one of the most serious threats to the world today. Responding to this crisis is an integral part of the Church's mission ".

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