It's no longer just a fad to "go green"; it's now a matter of faith.
The influential Catholic church in the massive Archdiocese of Los Angeles is kicking off a campaign this month urging its flock to help protect the environment.
Catholic parishioners urged to think green
It's no longer just a fad to "go green"; it's now a matter of faith.
The influential Catholic church in the massive Archdiocese of Los Angeles is kicking off a campaign this month urging its flock to help protect the environment.
The first of several services publicizing the new "sustainability ministry" was held at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Wilmington on Sunday, where the bishop of the San Pedro region came to preside.
During a special afternoon Mass, the Rev. Oscar Solis urged members to do their part in reducing waste and preserving "God's creation."
"God entrusted us with the Earth's air, land, water and her inhabitants," he said to about 300 attendees. "Unfortunately we have not always
fulfilled that role in a positive manner."
Members were asked to make changes in their daily lifestyles, including using energy-efficient light bulbs, buying green materials and using alternative sources of energy.
Parishioners were asked Sunday to codify that commitment by signing a pledge in honor of the Catholic patron saint of ecology, St. Francis. The service was followed by an exhibit of green cars and booths manned by organizations that help reduce waste and improve trade and working conditions around the globe.
"We all can make small changes," said Jun Hinco, an administrator at the Wilmington parish. "We want to see how each family can contribute to this."
The initiative is the culmination of a
two-year effort to form a committee of community members and environmentalists charged with guiding parishes toward sustainability.
"The foundation of our approach to the environment is Gospel-based," said Tod Tamberg, spokesman for the archdiocese. "The question for us is, `How do the commandments to love God and neighbor find expression in our relationship to the environment?' "
The influence of the church is substantial. The archdiocese, the largest in the nation, governs 288
parishes with a combined 5 million members from Santa Barbara to the Valley to Long Beach.
The initiative comes amid several new energy boosts to the green-power movement, though members of the Harbor Area church stressed that the Catholic initiative has been under way for some time.
"We think we can play a big part in making better use of what we have here on this Earth," said Soledad Gonzalez, a member of the congregation who helped form the committee.
In California, two solar-power plants have received the go-ahead to be built on federal public land, projects that eventually will provide electricity for up to 500,000 homes.
Last week the Obama administration announced solar panels will be installed
on the roof of the White House. And at the Vatican, some of the ancient buildings were outfitted with solar panels three years ago.
Locally, the elementary school at Saints Peter and Paul Church recently installed a solar-electric system on the roof of its gymnasium to produce two-thirds of the school's energy needs.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles was built with solar panels, water-conserving sinks and toilets, and energy-efficient lighting systems. Tamberg said Cardinal Roger Mahony installed a dozen of those bulbs in 2001 - some of which are still working today.
The archdiocese hopes to encourage similar projects.
"As Catholic Christians, responsible use of the Earth's
limited resources is a reflection of our gratitude to God, as well as our solidarity with the poor and those who are impacted by what we do with these resources," Tamberg said.
The sustainability ministry will also encourage discussions about green living with parishioners, officials said.
In a letter to parishioners, Mahony said the church has the "responsibility to care for our land and environment for future generations."
The diocese held celebrations Sunday at five churches to formally launch the initiative. Services will be held throughout October in Pasadena, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
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