Participants of The Youth Congress for the Integrity of Creation and Climate Justice at St. Paul University of Quezon City on November 14. (Photo: Bro. Angel Ace Cortez)
QUEZON City, Nov. 15, 2015— A Catholic priest challenged Filipino youth to take up Pope Francis’ environment protection call, saying that the future of the planet lies in their hands.
Fr. Dexter Toledo, OFM, said the future generation would reap the consequences of today’s abuses to nature if they do not act now.
“This is the right time for them to bind together and take concrete actions,” he said at the sidelines of a youth congress on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Young people, he said, should particularly join other sectors in the battle against climate change before it is too late.
The priest pointed out the negative impact of power generation by coal plants and the need of the country for energy transformation.
“We hope this will lead to more concerted efforts towards the environment,” Toledo said.
“We hope this gathering would open the minds of the young to their important role in preserving environment,” he added.
According to Toledo, the protection of environment has been a major concern for Pope Francis, which recently released his encyclical on ecology and care for God’s creation.
“It’s the right time for the youth to act now,” said Bro. Angel Ace Cortez, OFM, EcoJIM national capitol region coordinator.
The young people of today would be accountable to the children of tomorrow if they would take no concrete actions to preserve environment, he said.
“The future of our world is the youth of today,” said Cortez, adding that youthfulness should be enjoyed and also harnessed for the love of mother nature, he said.
The Youth Congress for the Integrity of Creation and Climate Justice at St. Paul University of Quezon City by at least 150 young people from different schools and youth organizations from across the country. (Oliver Samson/CBCPNews)
