Philippine Bishop: Protect Waterways, Restore What Gives Life

The Diocese of Imus, south of Metro Manila, Philippines, is calling on Catholics to move beyond prayers and reflection and take concrete action to protect the waterways that sustain communities, as it marks the 2026 Season of Creation.

In a pastoral letter on September 7, Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista urged the faithful to see water not only as a resource but as a gift from God and a source of life

The letter, titled “Wading in Life-Giving Water,” draws on the vision of the river in the Book of Ezekiel: “Wherever the river flows, everything will live.”

“Water is part of God’s creation that gives life,” Bishop Evangelista said, pointing to the water people drink, the land that produces food, the seas that sustain marine life and the forests that nurture communities.

But the bishop warned that water can also become a source of destruction when waterways are neglected or polluted. Rivers, canals, estuaries and other water systems can become clogged with garbage or damaged by human activities, increasing the risks of flooding and other disasters.

The pastoral letter also highlights the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on vulnerable communities, including families living in flood-prone areas and fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on healthy waterways.

Bishop Evangelista called on Catholics to support responsible flood management, proper waste disposal, protection of rivers and waterways, and care for forests, watersheds and coastal areas. He also encouraged parishes and Catholic institutions to undertake concrete ecological initiatives and accompany communities affected by environmental destruction.

The bishop stressed that concern for creation cannot be separated from Christian faith.

“We cannot celebrate the Creator while remaining indifferent to the destruction of creation,” he said, urging Catholics to recognize that caring for the environment is part of their Christian mission.

The Diocese encouraged every parish, school, religious community, family and ministry to identify the “life-giving water” that can flow through their own communities. One parish could lead a river or waterway cleanup, while others could promote waste reduction, tree planting, environmental education or assistance to communities affected by flooding.

For  Bishop Evangelista, ecological conversion begins with small but sustained acts that can eventually spread from individuals and families to entire communities.

“Let us enter and wade in the river,” the bishop said, turning the biblical image into a call for action.

He ended with the vision from Ezekiel that anchors the pastoral letter: “Wherever the river flows, everything will live.”