Faith Leaders, LGU Unite In Interfaith Season Of Creation Celebration

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Cebu and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), hosted the “Interfaith Season of Creation Celebration” on October 1, 2021, in Lahug, Cebu City. The interfaith event was attended by different religious leaders and Cebu City local government officials. 

With the theme, “Gifted to Give Love and Care for Creation, Let’s Do It Together”, the event was graced by leaders and members of the Roman Catholic Church, UCCP, and the Baha’i Faith. Also in attendance were Cebu City Acting Mayor Honorable Michael L. Rama, City Councilor Honorable Alvin M. Dizon, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)  Regional Director Lormelyn E. Claudio. 

The celebration aimed to build greater awareness of the responsibility of each member of society, regardless of religious denomination, the value of taking care of the environment. 

Quoting an encyclical letter from Pope Francis, Archbishop Jose S. Palma of the Archdiocese of Cebu shared the responsibility of man as stewards of the earth: 

“All must realize that [God] has entrusted [the Earth] to us and that this is our common home. And yet it is also a reminder, in many places, sad to say, it is also we who have desecrated, destroyed, abused, many aspects of creation. Today I am grateful that we are people who are awakened to the realization that we can still save [our] Mother Earth.” 

Elder Edmarc Dumas, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, related an experience of being able to see the “majesty of God’s creation” for the first time on his very first plane ride. He then shared the importance of the earth in man's progression:

“The earth was made so we can grow, learn, and we can progress. All things from the earth, the mountains and the valleys to the sands of the seas were created as a gift but these gifts come with a responsibility. [The prophet of the Church, President Russell M. Nelson also taught that] as beneficiaries of the divine creation...we should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations.” 

UCCP representative, Reverend Bless Johannes F. Pace, spoke about living in a “community with God, with other persons and with all creation.” He emphasized that “[every person is] called to be responsible and faithful stewards of God's creation. We should take care of it according to the will and purpose of the Creator.” 

Following the remarks of these religious leaders, Acting Mayor Michael Rama addressed the participants by highlighting that “love for the “Mother Earth is a gift of love, and when love is given, it should be given back to the giver.”  He shared his experiences dealing with floods during his tenure and how taking care of the environment could have prevented these calamities.

DENR Regional Director Claudio also presented the accomplishments of the DENR in taking care of the environment including the different projects initiated such as the River Rehabilitation Program, the cleanup program of Cebu waterbodies, and the disposal management of single-use plastics and food waste:

“The implementation of these activities with your active support will significantly help in empowering people in the management of our finite resources as co-caretakers of our environment. We need to double our efforts in influencing the change of behavior of communities of our nation. That is where the interfaith community should focus on, the needed change of behavior. Churches are well-positioned to make a significant role in addressing our environmental concerns.”     

VHC (Vriendschapsband Haarlemmermeer Cebu) Representative and City Councilor Alvin Dizon focused on the partnership of the VHC with the City Archdiocese in city river rehabilitation projects and other activities like urban gardening and the curbing of food waste. Quoting Pope Francis, he mentioned, “Throwing away food is like stealing away from the table from those who are poor and hungry." 

The different ecclesiastical and government leaders then proceeded to sign the symbolic Pledge of Commitment which in part reads: “Thus today we express our commitment, as sons and daughters of the Almighty God and as stewards of this God-given gift with the purest of intention to strengthen and harmonize our efforts against destruction and pollution in our Land, Air and Water ecosystems, in support to the rehabilitation of Cebu Rivers, Mountains, and Seas.” 

Father Murphy P. Sarsonas of the Archdiocese of Cebu, who spearheaded the movement, explained the rationale of the celebration: “We use Christian and non-Christain faith traditions as an expression to protect our common home... That we all may come to realize that creation is a gift for mankind and all living beings." 

Due to local restrictions, a Facebook live coverage of the Interfaith Season of Creation Celebration was streamed through the UniHarmony Partners Philippines Facebook page to allow members of the different denominations to participate virtually.

Environmental Stewardship and Conservation

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that God created the earth to provide a place for the human family to learn, progress, and improve. God first created the earth and all living things spiritually, and all living things have great worth in His eyes. One of the Church's most sacred religious ceremonies includes a portrayal of the loving care taken by God in creating this earth as a place for learning, experience, and joy.

Latter-day Saints live in a variety of environmental and economic circumstances throughout the world and have differing needs and capabilities. Though the Church does not typically take a stand on specific governmental or regulatory proposals for dealing with environmental challenges, it teaches these important principles of stewardship and reverence, hoping they are remembered and applied in the lives of members as they care for God’s creations.