Church of St Anthony embraces a plastic-free future

In a move towards environmental sustainability, the Church of St Anthony took a pledge to be a plastic-free environment effective October 1.

Oct 18, 2024

Parishioners enjoying some light refreshment with reusable cups during the fellowship.


KUALA LUMPUR:
In a move towards environmental sustainability, the Church of St Anthony took a pledge to be a plastic-free environment effective October 1. This initiative is a testament to the church’s unwavering commitment to protecting our planet and fostering a community that values and respects God’s creation.

The plastic-free move is not just a policy change but a call to action for the entire parish community. Parishioners are now encouraged to bring their own containers and reusable bags for breakfast mornings, all parish events, and ministry activities.

In a bid to start the next generation from young, all catechetical activities will also now exclusively use reusable tableware. This small but significant change will in many ways help reduce the reliance on single-use plastics and promote a culture of sustainability among parishioners of all ages.

Parish priest Fr Dr Clarence Devadass emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating that each and every one of us are called to live our vocation to be guardians of God’s creation.

“Our commitment to a plasticfree environment is a reflection of our dedication to living out the values of respect and care for God’s creation. It is a journey we embark on together, as a community, to protect and preserve the beauty of our world for future generations.”

He added that this calling is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience, as shared in a powerful message inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, Laudato Si’ on Care for Our Common Home, which highlights the spiritual and moral responsibility we all share in caring for the environment.

“This is a process to gradually educate people of all ages so that we can together make a significant difference in protecting our planet. We may not achieve ‘success’ overnight, but we take little steps towards the intended goal,” he said, adding that the ecofriendly habit not only reduces waste but also fosters a sense of personal responsibility to care for our environment.

By adopting sustainable practices, the parish is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also setting a powerful example for others to follow in their families, BECs, schools, colleges, offices, and neighbourhoods. --Elvina Fernandez

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