In marking World Environment Day on Saturday, the National Council of Churches in India urged churches, related-organisations and agencies to celebrate and respond to environmental concerns that are due to human activities.
"We as Christian faith-based communities must thank God for the multi-species and bio-diversified environment as gift to the cosmic world," said the Rev Christopher Rajkumar, secretary of Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation of NCCI.
He reminded Christians that impending environmental challenges must not be forgotten amid celebration.
"Due to personal and individualistic greedy actions of the powerful, parts of important landscape and species are disappearing everyday from this cosmic community. This is a challenge to faith based communities who affirm God as the creator and sustainer of this cosmos. While thanking God we have to take up the challenge too," said Rajkumar.
This year’s World Environment Day theme was "Many Species. One Planet. One Future."
Some 100 species out of earth’s 30-50 million species are reportedly lost each day under agriculture schemes, cities, industrial developments and dams or through pollution and erosion. More than 17,000 species are threatened with extinction.
To mark this year's observance, several NGOs and organisations are raising awareness on the environment by holding events, street rallies, forums and poster competitions.
World Environment Day presents an opportunity to search for faith responses, said Rajkumar.
"Church must take it as a missiological responsibility to care and save God’s earth. Our commitment to the care of the Cosmic should be our mission agenda, because the ‘Earth is Gods, and who dwell in it’ (Psl 24:1)."
Hundreds of thousands of people from every local congregation and churches from across the country are being mobilised for environmental-care actions and activities locally and nationally.
Some of the proposed activities suggested by the NCCI include special prayers, sermons for "Green Sunday", tree planting on church campus, seminars, dialogues, discussions with other secular groups, essays and art competitions.
World Environment Day was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972.
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
-
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
-
The mystery of the Wise Men
-
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
-
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Most Popular
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.