The 24th May 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis signing Laudato Si’, the encyclical on climate change and our common home that stands on millennia of Catholic teaching about creation.
We mark that momentous anniversary with a video ‘Caring for the Earth and for Each Other’ from our Columban JPIC coordinator in the Philippines, John Din.
The video also is a tribute to the late Fr Brian Gore who recently died.
In the video John Din speaks to Fr Brian Gore about his role in converting the former Columban Central House in Batang into a retreat centre, and how he through the Negros Nine Foundation initiated the Sanctuary De San Columbano in Bantolinao which promotes organic farming and reforestation.
Recently, in recognition of its success in reforestation, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the government of the Philippines to reforest 60 hectares of land.
At the Columban General Assembly of 2024, the Society affirmed their commitment to Biodiversity Protection and Restoration and working with Migrants and Refugees.
This is an expression of the Columbans response to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.