Living Laudato Si’ Philippines along with various environmental groups marked the 9th anniversary of the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 with a solidarity event titled “Commemoration and Action for Loss and Damage.” in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on November 8.
A Holy Mass was celebrated at the St. Mary, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Sharm El-Sheikh followed by a fellowship. The event coincided with the 27th Conference of the Parties ( #COP27 ) that runs from November 6 to 18 in Egypt.
“We’ll have a memorial service of not only Typhoon Haiyan but also for the victims of other recent typhoons. We actually started this tradition way back in COP22 (Morocco). Some of the people here are actually there in COP22,” said Rodne Galicha, Executive Director of Living Laudato Si’
Filipino climate advocates urged nations and governments in COP27 to act on the call for climate justice and institutionalize the “Loss and Damage” mechanism as multiple concerns arising from climate emergency can no longer be ignored. Typhoons are getting stronger each year and threaten the poor and vulnerable communities.
Former Ateneo de Manila President, Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ emphasized the courage of not losing hope in remembering the victims of Haiyan.
“‘Why do these things happen to our children? Why can I not see our ways?’ – grasping the consequences of our action and inaction. Why are we so senile that we forget yesterday and we fail to learn tragic things of the past?” asked Fr. Villarin in his homily.
Meanwhile, Franciscan priest Angel Cortez honored the climate activists in the Philippines who are persecuted because of their work for ecological justice.
“As we continue this day in remembering the victims of Typhoon Yolanda [Haiyan], we also remember those persecuted environmental advocates and activists in the Philippines that cannot speak, even human rights activists as well,” said Fr. Angel Cortez, OFM in his speech during the latter part of the fellowship.
Living Laudato Si’ Philippines hosted the event in celebration of its 4th foundation anniversary and to honor the memory of the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan. It was attended by members of Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, Greenpeace Philippines, and the Filipino community in Egypt.
Living Laudato Si’ vowed continue to monitor the developments in the climate summit and will remain committed to work for climate justice.
0 Comments