The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines will mark the end of the Laudato Si’ Special Anniversary Year this month with the theme “For We Know That Things Can Change.”
The observance coincides with this year 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.
The country’s church leaders said the celebration is also an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the their experiences during the pandemic and on how everyone cares for the environment.
Pope Francis has earlier invited the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics to participate in the Laudato Si’ Week observance from May 16 to 24.
The global celebration will bring Catholics together to rejoice in the great progress they’ve made in bringing Laudato Si’ to life and to plan ambitious action ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and the decade ahead.
The event coincides with the sixth anniversary on May 24 when Pope Francis finished writing the encyclical.
Laudato Si’ has enlivened Catholic communities across the globe to work against the ecological crisis and climate emergency.
During Laudato Si’ Week, Catholics will come together and present to the world a living testimony of Laudato Si’ transformations.
The week will feature presentations from world-renowned leaders that will showcase how they’ve transformed their communities and invite Catholics to take similar action regionally and locally.
The dialogues will carry a special focus on advocacy efforts aimed at raising the Catholic voice ahead of COP15 and COP26.
