In a powerful display of environmental consciousness and spiritual solidarity, the Catholic Church in Bangladesh hosted a day-long seminar centered on Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si, marking its 10th anniversary on May 24.
In 2015, Pope Francis issued a major encyclical on the environment called "Laudato Si (Praise Be).
The seminar, held at Monipuripara in Dhaka, drew around 50 participants from various Catholic institutions, uniting clergy, nuns, and lay youth under the theme, “Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV in Building a Hopeful Earth.”
The event was spearheaded by the Bangladesh Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace, in collaboration with the Central Association of Christian Cooperatives (CACCO) Ltd., the Metropolitan Christian Cooperative Housing Society Ltd., and the Father Charles J. Young Foundation.
Opening with a prayer session, the program was moderated by Dominic Ronjan Purification, CEO of CACCO, setting the tone for a day filled with deep reflection and spirited discussion.
In a keynote address, Holy Cross Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario offered a compelling exploration of Laudato Si, emphasizing Pope Francis’ vision of Earth as “our common home” and drawing connections with the social teachings of Pope Leo XIII.
D’Rozario underscored the encyclical’s call for integral ecology, urging faithful stewardship of nature, inclusion, and fraternity. “Hope is not just an idea but a spiritual responsibility,” he said, as he called on all present to take up the mantle of ecological and social justice.
The seminar featured a range of voices addressing diverse and pressing issues. Oblate Father Ajit Costa probed the pastoral bond between Pope Francis and the clergy, emphasizing a collaborative mission.
Youth representatives Arpon and Suparna brought critical attention to the intersection of human trafficking and human dignity, echoing the need for action rooted in compassion.
CACCO Chairman Pankaj G. Costa revisited papal cooperative efforts during pastoral visits, while Purification outlined the pivotal role religious leaders must play in environmental and life advocacy.
A robust open discussion followed, with participants sharing reflections and proposing action steps. Each attendee was invited to pen a personal response to the themes explored, a symbolic gesture of introspection and commitment. These reflections were collected as part of a larger effort to ground environmental theology in community-based action.
In a meaningful close to the seminar, participants received small tree saplings to plant—literal and spiritual symbols of their pledge to nurture creation.
Father Liton H. Gomes, secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission, concluded the day by presenting a set of practical, year-long action plans inspired by the seminar’s dialogue. “Let this not be the end of our conversation,” he said. “Let it be the beginning of sustained, hopeful action.”
The seminar coincided with the Vatican's announcement of Laudato Si Week (May 24–31), a global initiative commemorating a decade of the encyclical’s influence on faith-driven environmental advocacy.
Among the distinguished guests were Augustine Gomes, chairman of the Housing Society; Vice-Chairman Duke P.; and Robert Simon Gomes, chairman of the Internal Audit and Monitoring Committee—each affirming their support for an eco-conscious church.
As Bangladesh grapples with the twin challenges of climate vulnerability and socio-economic disparity, the seminar stood as a testament to the Church’s commitment to prophetic witness and ecological conversion.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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