Vietnamese Catholics respond to Day of Prayer for environment

Parishioners marched to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Vietnam:  Some 1,000 Catholics from Phu Yen parish in Vinh Diocese conducted a peaceful march for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which is celebrated Sept. 1.

Participants marched four kilometers around their parish carrying banners that read: "Catholics and followers of other faiths protect the environment," and "Destroying the environment is a crime."

Police observed the march but did not interfere with it.

Pope Francis declared World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Aug. 6

"As Christians we wish to offer our contribution towards overcoming the ecological crisis which humanity is living through," the pope said.

Vinh Diocese' Commission for Justice and Peace on Aug. 26 called on local Catholics to observe the day by praying for environmental conservation, studying the pope's Laudato si' and conducting initiatives such as cleaning and protecting the environment around parishes.

Source: UCAN