Bangladesh Diocese Opens Laudato Si’ Week with Tree-Planting Program

The Diocese of Rajshahi, in northwestern Bangladesh, inaugurated Laudato Si’ Week with a tree-planting program at the Good Shepherd Cathedral Parish on May 17, highlighting environmental responsibility and care for creation.

The program aimed to promote awareness of environmental protection and encourage greater community participation in caring for nature through practical action and spiritual reflection.

The event began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and special prayers attended by more than 300 parishioners. Participants included parish priest Fr. Bishwanath Faustino Marandi, members of the Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council, 15 women religious from different congregations, and 11 seminarians.

Fr. Marandi, who presided over the Mass, connected the celebration of the Ascension of Jesus with Christian responsibility toward creation.

“Through the Ascension of Jesus, a new dimension of our relationship and communication with God has been established,” he said in his homily.

Reflecting on the significance of Laudato Si’, the environmental encyclical issued in 2015 by Pope Francis, Fr. Marandi said the Church continues to encourage deeper ecological awareness and responsibility among the faithful.

He noted that the observance of Laudato Si’ Week from May 17 to 24 seeks to renew the Church’s commitment to protecting creation and promoting sustainable living.

“We must care for creation, plant more trees, and keep the environment clean and healthy,” he said. “After creating the world, God entrusted humanity with the responsibility of caring for it.”

Following the Eucharistic celebration, participants joined a tree-planting program on the cathedral grounds and took part in discussions on environmental protection and the benefits of reforestation.

One participant said the program encouraged people to recognize environmental care not only as a social responsibility but also as part of Christian spiritual life.

“The program inspired us to reflect on the ecological crisis and understand care for creation as a sacred mission,” the participant said.

The event concluded with Fr. Marandi thanking participants for their involvement and encouraging continued environmental initiatives within parish communities.

Laudato Si’ Week is observed globally by Catholic communities to promote ecological awareness and action inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for the environment and the protection of vulnerable communities affected by climate change.