The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila has announced its divestment from companies engaged in activities that negatively impact the environment and what it refers to as “other destructive businesses.”

In response to Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si,” Cardinal Jose Advincula stated in his message during the ongoing “season of creation” that the decision to divest from all investments was made years ago.

“This is to inform everyone that the Archdiocese of Manila has divested all our investments from coal and other destructive businesses since years ago,” Advincula said.

According to the Cardinal, the decision was also “in consonance with our faith and the earlier social teachings of the Church”, and noted that they support all initiatives “that will protect, preserve, nurture and respect God’s creation.”

“We commit to respond to the goals of Laudato Si, specifically to hear the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth, reduce the impacts of climate change, promote food safety and security to address hunger, and ensure the protection of the rights to a safe and healthy ecology,” he said.

The country’s Catholic bishops decided to divest from ‘dirty energy’ sources, such as coal-fired power plants, in 2019. The bishops emphasized the need for coordinated action to address the climate crisis, even though only a few dioceses had previously held interests in coal.

The importance of collective action during the ‘season of creation’ to address the climate crisis

Cardinal Advincula simultaneously encouraged all churches within the archdiocese to adopt similar strategies to combat climate change.”

“As your Archbishop, I, therefore, enjoin every parish and institution to organize an ecology ministry, participate in and lead Season of Creation events in the parishes and communities, launch concrete and creative actions on the Care for Our Common Home, and make every Sunday of the Season of Creation a parish Laudato Si Sunday,” he added.

The Season of Creation is a global and ecumenical celebration that runs from September 1 to October 4, coinciding with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

The cardinal also urged the faithful to contribute to ensuring a secure and sustainable future for generations to come.

“I enjoin everyone to be a beacon of hope in the promotion of environmental care, efficient disaster response, and just social transformation,” he said.

The cardinal emphasized the archdiocese’s commitment to responding to the goals of Laudato Si “by mobilizing numerous institutions to become part of the Laudato Si Action Platform to achieve integrated ecology.”

Photo: VeritasPH