By Fr Felix Antony –
Miao: The year 2020 marks fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment: Laudato Si’ (Praise Be), subtitled ‘On Care for our Common Home’, addressed not just to the Catholic Church, but to the whole of humanity as we face the global climate emergency.
To mark this event, the Holy Father has invited the whole world to celebrate 16 – 24 May 2020 as Laudato Si’ Week, especially in the context of Covid-19, a pandemic that could be best described as manmade disaster due to his selfishness and disregard for our common home, Mother Earth.
Participating in the this weeklong celebration, Bishop George Pallipparambil sdb of Miao Diocese in Arunachal Pradesh reminded the people to be friend to the mother earth and master. In the open-air holy mass he officiated at the Little Flower Convent in Neotan village of Changlang district, on 22 May, which is also celebrated as Biodiversity Day, Bishop George highlighted the importance of caring for nature and environment now more than ever. “The corona virus pandemic has taught us that we are not master but the earth is the master” he said.
Reflecting on the creation story of the Bible, Bishop George said, “After the creation, God asked man to subdue the earth and not subjugate the creation. This global disease followed by the worldwide lockdown is not only a time for us to reflect our interconnectedness with the creation but also a time for the earth to heal itself of the damage we have caused”.
The 20 odd people gathered for the celebration expressed happiness at being part of the global celebration in a small way in their own village to become aware of the interconnectedness with the creation.
“We thank our Bishop for involving us in the Laudato Si’ week celebrations and for encouraging us to build a better world together”, said Mrs. Likro Mossang, the Women President of Miao Diocese.
The faithful presented saplings together with bread and wine at the offertory procession.
“Our small effort today here in our village, we hope, will inspire someone in some part of the world to be more caring and to be friend with the Mother Earth”, said Kamjan Mossang, incharge of the local quarantine facility centre in the village.
The celebration concluded with planting saplings around the campus of the Carmelite Missionary Nuns in the village.