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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and faith leaders from various faith communities gathered for an Interfaith and Ecumenical Forum and Prayer at the Aurora Chapel in Quezon City on November 15.
The event was hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the direction of Uniharmony Partners Manila, Manila Church Ecumenical Fellowship, and Religions for Peace Philippines with the slogan "Listen to the Science, the People and Planet Interfaith Forum and Prayer for COP 27."
Present at the event was Elder Artemio Maligon of Area Seventy. In addition, the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, Peacemakers Circle of the Philippines, Imam Council of the Philippines, Brahma Kumaris, and Iglesia Filipina Independiente are some faith communities in attendance as well.
Dr. Lilian J. Sison, Environmental Scientist Director, Director of the Office of International Relations and Programs of UST, and a Religions for Peace Philippines member, acted as the resource speaker for the forum. In its focus, the forum aims to create interfaith dialogue addressing the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP 27.
Dr. Sison focused on the four demands at COP 27. First, the rapid and adequate financial resources and technical assistance to those in the most impacted countries and communities, the rapid phasing out of fossil fuel use, and the halving of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 are on the way to zero. Also, low-income countries have access to the necessary financial resources to prepare for the effects of climate change., and to decarbonize their economies. Lastly, protecting nature and fighting climate change must go hand in hand.
"We, as members of faith communities, have a daunting role in educating the public and raising awareness on the perils of climate change and the urgency of taking climate Action and becoming Carbon neutral," she highlighted. As she ended, Dr. Sison challenged faith leaders to mobilize their community to act in making change through the practice of urban greening their communities as well as through embracing climate-friendly practices for sustainable living.
During his closing remarks, the Rev. Fr. Carlos Reyes of the Ministry for Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs Archdiocese of Manila shared five things the interfaith community should do. First is to confess the many sins that we have committed against the environment. Second, cooperate with groups that advocate for the environment. Third, to collaborate. Fourth, confront those who harm the environment, and lastly, transform.
After the forum, it was proceeded by the Interfaith and Ecumenical Prayer for COP 27, headed by Rev. Erahvilla Maga-Cabillas of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, after her remarks.