“Laudato Si” challenge accepted

By Julius Belale Lucañas

Kolping Society Philippines (KSPI) kicked off the implementation of the series of tree-planting and ecological education campaign efforts of the community of Kolping . This effort was made possible thru the generosity of the Diocese of Osnabruck (Germany) through their Christmas Mailing 2021.

The tree planting activity, held at the Kolping Farm in Calabanga, was participated by the board of directors (BOT) and staff of Kolping Philippines, Kolping Microfinance,Inc., representatives from the Kolping Families of Our Lady of Prompt Succor and the National Office, trainors and students of the technical vocational program.

It was given a deeper meaning by the Director of the Ministry on Ecology of the Archdiocese of Caceres, Fr. Eric Bobis. He shared the urgent need to act on the issue of climate change. He said that there initiatives presently being done by the Archdiocesan Ministry on Ecology. A deeper understanding of the issue that can help ignite more proactive and concrete efforts to respond to the urgent need for climate action was also highlighted as mentioned in Laudato Si.

Photo of the participants during the tree planting activity, held at the Kolping Farm in Calabanga. It was participated by KSPI manager Elmer C. Registrado, National Praeses Fr. RICKY Colinares and Fr. Eric Bobis, staff of Kolping Philippines, Kolping Microfinance,Inc., representatives from the Kolping Families of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, trainors and students of the technical vocational program. (Photo credit : Julius Belale Lucañas)

Laudato Si’ is an encyclical of Pope Francis published in May 2015. It focuses on care for the natural environment and the well-being of all peoples. The encyclical’s subtitle, “Care for Our Common Home,” reinforces these key themes.

As a response, the management of KSPI and National Praeses have committed to take on the challenge of pursuing with stronger conviction and proactive efforts the preservation and care for our common home. As a manifestation of this commitment, seedlings of Calamansi, Pili, and other native fruit-bearing trees were planted at the Kolping farm.

The activity was a statement of Kolping Philippines’ commitment to participate in the efforts of the Archdiocese on responding to this global concern, in the spirit of synodality.

This is a beginning of a series of tree-planting and ecological education campaign efforts of the community of Kolping in collaboration with the Archdiocese.

(Julius Belale Lucañas is Loan Marketing Officer, Kolping Micro Finance Kolping Philippines Inc.)