The Church in Goa is going green. It has been fighting for the protection of the environment for long, its arm the Council for Social Justice and Peace, at the forefront of various agitations that over the years have fought for the preservation of the ecology in the State. But today, the Church is taking another step towards this and doing its little bit for the environment in a manner that does not involve agitations or protests. It is encouraging a change in people’s lifestyles, hoping that it can bring an end to the prevailing culture of waste that will help save the environment.
Over the past few weeks there have been instance of the Church discouraging the use of plastic and non-biodegradable materials by not just telling others what to do but also leading by example. Not only did the Council for Social Justice and Peace recently issue guidelines on the use of plastic for religious and allied functions, but plastic will also be banned at the novena and feast of St Francis Xavier. The Rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus has announced that no plastic, thermocol or flex will be used in creating the backdrop for the altar, where the masses will be said. He called it a hard decision, as the backdrop may not appear to be as ‘glamorous’ due to the lack of paintings.
This is the second time in less than a month that the Church is contributing its bit towards the protection of the environment. Just days before All Soul’s Day, an occasion when people decorate the graves of their departed family members, the Council for Social Justice and Peace had advised parish priests, chaplains and the faithful to avoid the use of plastic and other toxic items for the purpose so as to combat pollution and safeguard the environment. The Council went further asking the people not to use toxic materials during the visitation of the statue of Our Lady to families, or to serve refreshments at meetings, anniversaries and seminars. Cutting down on the use of non-biodegradable materials in celebrations will definitely reduce waste considerably, as these are materials that are used just once and then discarded.
The Church is responding to a call from Pope Francis who in his encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ called for changes in lifestyle and to reflect on a society ‘that lacked concern for social exclusion or the destruction of nature’. In his encyclical, the Pope had said, “We must not be indifferent or resigned to the loss of biodiversity and the destruction of ecosystems, often caused by our irresponsible and selfish behaviour.” He had called for changes in people’s lifestyles by reducing waste, planting trees, segregating garbage and car pooling. If the Church in Goa can influence its faithful to follow the teachings of the Pope, for a start implement just a few of the suggestions, it could well score a major victory for the environment that others could then emulate.
Taking a leadership stance, the CSJP letter had gone on to say that the Church is known to be a pioneer in education and health and it is time for it to collectively lead the country in reducing waste through lifestyle changes, that is, for the sustenance of the earth. If it intends to lead by example then it has taken the right steps forward, especially with discarding the use of plastic at the novena and feast of St Francis Xavier. This is one feast that most Goans, notwithstanding their religious affiliations celebrate, and if the Church can make a start here, then it can surely show that it means what it says.
