The EcoWaste Coalition co-organized with the San Pablo Apostol Parish and the Samahan ng mga Mangangalakal ng Scrap sa Capulong a special Lenten activity blending Catholic devotion with ecological advocacy through a Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) themed “Dasal at Aksyon: Alay kay Inang Kalikasan.”
Holding the environmental-themed event during the “Month of Planet Earth” and at San Pablo Apostol Parish was deeply meaningful, as the Tondo-based parish has been designated as the “Jubilee Church for Ecology” with a particular focus on environmental stewardship and care for God’s creations. As noted by Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in his pastoral reflection for Jubilee Year 2025, “the earth, too, is groaning in pain and crying out for help.”
The Via Crucis drew attention to the suffering of Mother Earth in the midst of the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pervasive pollution, connecting it with the agony and death of Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the need for ecological conversion and action.
Residents of some barangays under the San Pablo Apostol Parish, including e-waste dismantlers and other informal waste workers, and the staff of the EcoWaste Coalition participated in this unique expression of faith and ecological responsibility.
Inspired by Laudato Si, the encyclical of Pope Francis highlighting care for the environment and all people, participants reflected on Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection and offered prayer intentions at each of the 14 Stations of the Cross for the protection of humanity and the planet against the destruction of nature, global warming and climate change, plastic and toxic pollution. The prayerful event concluded with a Holy Mass.
“The cross that Christ carried was not only the weight of humanity’s sins but also the burden of our indifference to His creation. Every wound inflicted on our environment is a wound we add to the suffering of Christ. Now is the time to live out our faith not only in words but in action — by caring for the earth, our common home, entrusted to us by God,” said Fr. Bryan Bahian, priest in charge for ecology at San Pablo Apostol Parish, underscores the spiritual call to ecological responsibility.
“Through this Way of the Cross, we are reminded that Christ’s suffering is mirrored in the ongoing suffering of our environment—a suffering worsened by our wasteful habits and disregard for nature. May this reflection move us to recognize the connection between our daily actions and the wounds we inflict on God’s creation. It is time to turn away from the ‘throwaway culture’ and embrace a way of life that protects and nurtures our common home,” said Cris Luague, Zero Waste Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition.
Added Charina Davin, Vice-President of the Samahan ng mga Mangangalakal ng Scrap sa Capulong: “Ngayong panahon ng Kuwaresma ay huwag natin kalimutan na isama sa ating pagninilay ang mga hamong kinakaharap ng ating kalikasan at lipunan. Bilang isang sambayanan, pakinggan natin ang daing ni Inang Daigdig at gawin ang mga nararapat upang mapangalagaan siya.”
As the Lenten season invites reflection on Christ’s Passion, the faithful are encouraged to also contemplate on the state of the environment and the essential need to get involved in restoring and caring for our common home.
