Representatives from 10 religious traditions gathered at Fort Canning Centre in Singapore to reflect on environmental stewardship, highlighting shared values and launching new efforts for interfaith climate action.
Organized by Caritas Singapore — the Catholic Church’s social mission arm — and the Archdiocesan Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism Centre, the gathering aimed to deepen collaboration across faiths on ecological issues.
Participants shared how their beliefs promote reverence for nature and discussed practical strategies to drive environmental change within their communities.
Common themes included the need to engage youth, embrace sustainable living, and foster compassion in environmental efforts, Catholic News SG reported.
“Care for creation truly transcends belief systems, and this is just the beginning of a shared journey,” said Juliana Foo, Executive Director of Caritas Singapore.
A tree-planting ceremony followed the dialogue, with 14 religious representatives planting five trees in Fort Canning Park as a symbolic act of unity and hope for future generations.
Caritas Singapore also launched a new online platform to support interreligious collaboration on sustainability and encourage the exchange of ideas and joint initiatives.
Guest-of-honour Alvin Tan, Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, acknowledged the event in a Facebook post and paid tribute to Pope Francis, who was widely recognized for championing environmental causes.
“We celebrate Earth Day and the legacy of harmony and hope Pope Francis left for us when he passed,” Tan wrote. “His life reminds us that the seeds we sow today will be reaped by the next generation, and we must continue to bring communities together and care for our common home, as he had done throughout his life.”
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, the late Pope’s landmark encyclical on the environment. Caritas Singapore will commemorate the occasion with a Mass on May 30 at the Church of Saint Mary of the Angels.
