Walk of peace with nature

Dec 15, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 100 faithful turned up to walk for peace in harmony with mother nature in Taman Botanik Perdana on December 2.

It was a fruitful and fun-loving Saturday morning of making new friends with a spirit of togetherness in a love of nature. They enjoyed each other’s company and the sharing about peace and their encounters in the lake garden trail.

Archbishop Julian Leow praised the group for their desire to be an instrument of peace, and advised that the first step forward was to be at peace with one’s self before finding peace with our families and circles of friends and people at work and places of worship as well as mother nature.

The walk of peace, organised by the Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry, brought together Catholics from 14 parishes, Christians of diverse denominations, individuals from various faiths, and an active elderly group, Senior Aloud.

As the walkers started arriving at 7.00am, they were handed paper doves to inscribe messages of peace, which were later exchanged among them — a symbolic gesture of sharing collective aspirations. Additionally, each person received a hibiscus pin, symbolising unity within Malaysia’s multicultural fabric.

Veteran conservationist Dato’ Dr Dionysius Sharma spoke on the need to end wars and the destruction of God’s natural gifts to humanity. “If we can all be agents of peace, we can help reprogramme society to love one another as fellow human beings ... May each of us take positive action to be a nucleus of peace.”

He asked everyone to walk with strangers in order to have new friends.

Nelly, of the Philippines, was inspired by the sight of schools of fish moving in harmony in the lake. “They taught me that in whatever situation, peace begins with me. We can only move forward when we are at peace, loving and caring.”

Mohd Hilmi from Sabah relished the walk and the opportunity to forge new friendships.

Fr Andrew Manickam, OFM Cap, the ministry’s ecclesiastical assistant, expressed gratitude for everyone’s weekend commitment, pledging to organise more events that deepen people’s connection with nature.

The walk ended on a high note with the group led by Archbishop Julian singing “Let there be peace on earth”. The song aptly described what the faithful did in the lake garden, with a renewed commitment to always “let peace begin with me ... with every step I take”. — Creation Justice Ministry