Caritas Bangladesh marks Laudato Si’ Week with eco commitment

Caritas Bangladesh, the social action arm of the Catholic Church in the country, observed Laudato Si’s week at the Caritas Rajshahi regional office on May 27.

Caritas Bangladesh’s Rajshahi Regional Office came alive with reflections and renewed commitments to environmental justice as it observed Laudato Si’ Week while commemorating a decade since Pope Francis' groundbreaking encyclical (2015) on caring for the Earth.

The event was attended by prominent Catholic leaders, including Bishop Gervas Rozario of the Rajshahi Diocese, Father Fabian Mardi, vicar general of the diocese and acting regional director of Caritas Rajshahi, Dr. Arok Toppo, staff members, and local participants.

In a powerful message, Bishop Rozario emphasized the spiritual imperative behind ecological action. “Pope Francis gave us Laudato Si’ ten years ago as a profound reminder to protect our common home,” he said. “Loving God means loving creation. By preserving the Earth, we serve the Creator.”

Highlighting the week’s global relevance, Dr. Toppo described Laudato Si’ Week as a moment of worldwide Catholic solidarity in confronting climate change and ecological degradation. “This celebration continues to energize communities around the globe,” he noted. “Even amid rising crises, ordinary Catholics are stepping up with extraordinary actions to defend our planet.”

As a symbolic gesture of commitment, Bishop Rozario, Father Mardi, and Dr. Toppo planted saplings in the Caritas compound, underscoring the long-term vision of the Church's ecological mission. The tree planting served as both a tribute to Laudato Si’ and a local act of hope for the planet’s future.

The event concluded with prayers and reflections, calling on individuals and communities to act urgently in response to the ecological crisis — not only as an environmental duty but as a spiritual vocation.