By Sibu Diocese
SIBU — At 3.00 pm on 1 September 2025, the Launching Mass of PROTEC 2.0 – “REGENERATE” was celebrated at the Church of Divine Mercy, St Mary, marking the opening of the Season of Creation (1 September – 4 October), which is celebrated annually by Christians worldwide.
The Mass was presided over by His Lordship Bishop Joseph Hii, who officially launched the PROTEC 2.0 banner and distributed fishtail banners and posters to parish representatives from the 12 churches in the Diocese of Sibu.
During the celebration, St Mary’s Ecological Parish signed the Ecological Parish Pledge, led by Rev Fr Paul Chee, Rector of St Mary’s Church, affirming its commitment to ecological justice and resilience for all creation through the Ecological Parish Protocols.
The Ecological Parish Protocols call on parishes to:
Lead ecological transformation by pledging to be ecological parishes and establishing Creation Justice Ministries.
Deepen ecological spirituality through prayer, liturgies, education, and integration of Laudato Si’ into parish programs.
Build resilience against climate impacts through assessments, education, and emergency preparedness.
Advocate and collaborate locally and globally for ecological justice and solidarity, especially during the Season of Creation.
Strengthen accountability by auditing carbon footprints and practicing the 7Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle, Redesign, Regenerate).
Implement practical ecological actions, such as adopting renewable energy, promoting zero waste practices, encouraging plant-based meals, conserving water and energy, banning harmful substances, greening church lands, and divesting from ecologically harmful investments.
Through PROTEC 2.0 – REGENERATE, the Diocese of Sibu reaffirms its mission to live out ecological conversion and to uphold justice, peace, and resilience for all creation.
Pope Leo XIV’s Message for Creation Day 2025
In Rome, Pope Leo XIV invited Christians worldwide to unite in celebrating this year’s World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation under the theme: “Seeds of Peace and Hope.” He reminded the faithful that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis instituting the celebration for the Catholic Church.
The Pope emphasised that environmental justice is a duty born of faith, since the universe reflects the face of Christ in whom all things were created and redeemed. He also introduced a new “Mass for the Care of Creation” formulary, enabling Catholic communities worldwide to celebrate the day within the Eucharist.
Pope Leo called on Christians to journey as “Pilgrims of Hope”, sowing peace and caring for our common home during the Season of Creation (1 September – October 4), concluding on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.
