By Elvina Fernandez
KUALA LUMPUR – In a significant move towards ecological stewardship, the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur has made a pledge to become an ecological parish, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and ecological justice. This initiative follows the signing of the Ecological Diocese Protocols by the bishops in 2023, marking a collective step towards integrating ecological spirituality and action within the Catholic community.
The pledge, as articulated by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia – Singapore – Brunei (CBCMSB), emphasises a holistic approach to ecology. The nine Malaysian bishops signed pledges to make their dioceses ecological, during the Catholic Bishops’ Conference at MAJODI Centre, Jul 13.
The pledge states: “The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hereby declares its pledge to be an Ecological Diocese in perpetuity, living out a deep ecological spirituality and advancing ecological justice and resilience for all creation by pursuing decarbonised pathways and the building of community and earth resilience, according to the Ecological Diocese Protocols appended to this pledge, to the best of its ability and creativity within local circumstances.”
The pledge was signed in the form of a certificate, with several appendices listing out the ecological diocese protocols in detail with accompanying Ecological Parish Protocols, self-monitoring forms and other supporting documents to help each diocese and parish make the transition towards becoming fully ecological. Each bishop was also given a pen drive filled with resources produced by the ECCJ-MSB members over the years to support ecological conversion and transformation including (flyers, bookmarks, videos, etc.) at the diocesan and parish levels. These resources were also shared with Cardinal William Goh of Singapore and Fr Robert Leong of Brunei.
The pledges made by all the bishops of Malaysia truly represent a milestone for the Roman Catholic Church in Malaysia, showing it is united in taking leadership and accountability, and is a clarion call for all the Catholic faithful to respond to the global emergency with urgency. It is timely as well, given that we are in our seventh year since Laudato Si’ was released and Pope Francis repeatedly reminds us to “hear the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor>
Each parish within the archdiocese is encouraged to make a similar pledge, contributing to the broader mission of ecological transformation. Several parishes have already launched their pledges, either last year or this year, demonstrating a growing commitment to sustainable practices.
The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, through its Creation Justice Ministry (CJM), has outlined three primary focus areas to guide this transformation: Leadership in Ecological Transformation, Ecological Spirituality, Ecological Education, and Integration Ecological Accountability.
As part of this initiative, parishioners are invited to take personal pledges towards sustainability, encouraging a collective effort in reducing environmental impact and fostering ecological awareness.
As we journey together towards a more sustainable future, the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur’s commitment to ecological justice serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for all faithful to care for our common home.
By embracing these protocols, the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur is not only fostering a sustainable environment but also nurturing a spiritually rich community that lives in harmony with God’s creation. Let’s unite in this mission and make a lasting impact for generations to come.
Parishes requiring assistance in setting up their CJM ministries can contact representatives Marilyn Menezes Simon (017-328-6299), Ida Chin (012-387-6231), Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap, Ronald Hor (012-305-2466) or Melina Yeoh (017- 871-8283) for guidance.
Church of Our Lady of Fatima declared ecological parish
The Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Brickfields has made a significant commitment to ecological stewardship by being declared an ecological parish. This milestone was announced by parish priest, Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap, after the 10.30am Mass on Sunday, Dec 8 2024.
“We are committed to adhering to ecological protocols, living out ecological spirituality, and advancing ecological justice of creation.”
In celebration of this declaration, Fr Andrew planted two trees, symbolising the parish’s dedication to environmental responsibility. The parish is set to implement numerous initiatives that strengthen the connection between faith and ecological responsibility.
Efforts to reduce, recycle, and reuse will be intensified, alongside new initiatives to foster sustainability. Some of the initiatives in action include reducing printed bulletins, minimising the use of tissue paper, recycling cooking oil, and encouraging parishioners to bring their own water bottles/reusable containers/utensils for meals.
The parish’s commitment is a testament to the growing movement within the archdiocese, encouraging parishioners to embrace practices that support ecological justice, including reducing carbon footprints, supporting renewable energy, and participating in community resilience projects.
To support parishioners in taking the step forward, there are plans to install water dispensers, eliminating the need for bottled water usage, further reinforcing the parish’s commitment to sustainability.
This proactive approach by the Church of Our Lady of Fatima aims to inspire both parishioners and the wider community to embrace ecological responsibility and stewardship, reflecting a deeper integration of faith and care for creation. – Herald Malaysia
