Churches from Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai were honoured with 'green parishes' awards on Sunday for their efforts in promoting environmental conservation.
‘Green Blessing’ Drive Held Near Kalyan
The 'Green Blessing' plantation drive and award ceremony were held at the Tabor Divine Retreat Ashram, near Kalyan, in collaboration with the Bombay Catholic Sabha and the Thane Citizens Foundation. The programme aimed to promote ecological awareness, enhance green cover, and encourage sustainable practices among the community. Certificates were presented to churches that have conducted notable environmental initiatives.
Sapling Plantation, Blessings Mark the Ceremony
Church members who gathered at the event planted a variety of saplings, including fruit-bearing and native trees, at the ashram campus. Father Mathew Elavumkal, director of the ashram, blessed the saplings, emphasising the importance of environmental stewardship.
Church Units Promote Solar Power, Recycling, Tree Plantation
Bento Lobo, vice president of the Bombay Catholic Sabha's environment forum, said that their units in 25 churches have incorporated activities to promote ecological practices, including the recycling of waste, the use of solar panels to produce emission-free electricity, planting trees, and reducing food waste. "We have an active environment programme and the awards recognise the work done by parishes," said Lobo Priests from the ashram conducted special prayers and blessed participants for their dedication to the social cause.
Special Prayers, Certificates for Eco Champions
Father Paul, along with Lobo and Kasber Augustine, president of Thane Citizens Foundation, distributed certificates of appreciation to participating units.
List of Participating Churches
Among the churches that took part in the event were Our Lady of Victories, Mahim; St Michael’s Church, Mahim; Our Lady of Lourdes, Sion; Our Lady of Vailankanni Irla; St. Francis Xavier, Vile Parle; Holy Family, Chembur; St Blaise, Andheri West; Our Lady of Mercy Church, Thane; Our Lady of Lourdes, Kalyan West; St Paul's Church, Dadar; Our Lady of Salvation (Portuguese Church), Dadar, and Our Lady of Rosary, Goregaon.
Faith and Environmentalism Go Hand-in-Hand
The event reflected the organisers' commitment to social responsibility, community engagement, and nurturing God's creation for future generations, a message that the late Pope Francis conveyed very often. The organisers said they hope to inspire more churches to undertake environmental initiatives, fostering goodwill and recognition within the community and from the Government of India and Maharashtra.
