A Hong Kong bishop marked the end of this year’s Season of Creation with a call to deepen spiritual and practical commitment to environmental protection.
“While it may take a lot of effort to care for nature and sacrifice our convenience, there is no excuse to close our hearts to environmental protection or be indifferent to the suffering of others,” said Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, OFM, auxiliary prelate of Hong Kong.
Bishop Ha celebrated an outdoor Mass at the Precious Blood Spiritual Garden in Fanling, organized by the Diocesan Commission for Integral Human Development, according to a report by Sunday Examiner.
The event aimed to promote environmental sustainability and encourage participants to reflect on Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.
In his homily, Bishop Ha drew parallels between the purity of nature and the innocence of children, urging over 20 participants to build a closer relationship with the environment.
Citing Jesus’ words, “Let the little children come to me” (Mark 10:14), he emphasized the need for personal sacrifice and active care for creation.
The Mass began with the hymn Laudato Si’, with lyrics that likened natural elements such as wind and water to “our brothers and sisters,” reinforcing the encyclical’s call for ecological conversion and solidarity with nature.
Franciscan Brother William Ng later led a blessing of the soil across different parts of the farm, signifying the church’s spiritual connection to the land.
Participants were then invited to plant cabbage sprouts, putting into action the bishop’s message of ecological responsibility.
Susanna Lee, project officer of the Diocesan Commission for Integral Human Development, remarked on the urgency of the environmental crisis as attendees worked under over 30-degree heat.
“In that moment, surrounded by nature, we felt a strong connection to it. The same message might have been less impactful in an air-conditioned chapel,” Lee said.
This outdoor event culminated a series of spiritual workshops that started in September, organized by the environmental concern group of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Franciscans, and the commission.
These workshops included screenings of the 2022 film, ‘The Letter: A Message for Our Earth’, which depicts the journey of frontline leaders to Rome to discuss Laudato Si’ with Pope Francis.
The screenings were followed by discussions and creative exercises, encouraging participants to develop personal action plans for environmental sustainability.
The workshops attracted a diverse group, including church members, local residents, Protestants, and some non-Christians eager to learn about the encyclical.
Many participants presented reflections on how they perceived the interconnectedness of ecological and social issues, particularly the unequal impact of environmental challenges on marginalized communities.
With the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ approaching next year, Lee acknowledged the need for ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the encyclical’s teachings. She highlighted the film as a valuable educational tool, especially after the commission translated it into Chinese.
“The process takes time,” Lee noted, expressing hope that more Catholics will engage with the church’s ecological message.
