by Father Francis Fernandes
PUNE, 26 JUNE, 2015: Sacred Heart Parish, Yerwada was specially chosen by the Bishop of Pune, Thomas Dabre to promote 'Laudato Si' – Pope Francis' second Encyclical.
On June 18, Bishop Dabre celebrated the Holy Eucharist, exhorting the faithful to work towards a green planet. He set an example by planting a sapling himself.
The Bishop then held a press conference at Don Bosco College, where he presented a synthesis of the encyclical.
Sacred Heart, is the first parish in the diocese of Pune to 'Go Green'. The youth of the parish are instrumental in driving this initiative. They have conducted seminars, set up kitchen gardens, held tree plantation programmes to create awareness among parishioners.
"We owe it to our generation next to go green," said rector and parish priest, Father Anton D'souza SDB, who has seen his vision of a green community bear fruit.
The Vicar General of the Pune diocese, Father Malcolm Sequeira, together with several priests and religious were also present to encourage this pioneering effort.