Care for the environment - a common responsibility

Telupid : "We cannot remain indifferent to what is happening around us, for the deterioration of any one part of the planet affects us all," the pope said in his message for World Peace Day, at the start of 2010. The pope pleaded  to "all believers to raise a fervent prayer to God, the all-powerful creator and the father of mercies, so that all men and women may take to heart the urgent appeal: If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation."

Bishop Julius, who was on his way back to Sandakan after giving a talk to participants of the Campus Ministry National Camp at Pace Bene, Papar on 10th May 2010, stopped over at St Martin's Church. Together with Fr Marcel Pongking, the rector of the Church, the prelate planted five Malabar Chestnut, given to him by Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong of the Diocese of Keningau, at the church's compound the following morning, 11th May.

Malabar Chestnut, makes a suitable indoor potted plants, commonly called money or fortune tree, the stems of which can be braided or could be planted as an outdoor specimen. The pod fruit, contains white seeds which can eaten raw or roasted.  

The principle of the dignity of creation, in accordance with  the Catholic Social Teachings poses a challenge to the people of God to care for the environment. It is a common responsibility of all, who are stewards of mother earth to look after it, as we are instructed to 'cultivate and care for God's Creation' (Gen 2:15).

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