By William Gan
MIRI — A special diocesan Mass was celebrated in St Joseph’s Cathedral, Miri on the evening of 18 June 2025 to officially launch ecological parishes in the diocese. Special prayers, readings and hymns signifying the occasion were used.
Rt Rev Bishop Richard Ng, Bishop of the Diocese of Miri, celebrated the Mass. Con-celebrants for the Mass were Rev Fr Jesudoss from Chennai, India, the visiting Provincial Superior of Claretian Missionaries and 17 diocesan priests representing all 14 parishes in the Diocese of Miri.
Children, representing the future generations served as lector, intercessor, offertory bearers and altar servers. Although it was a work day in the middle of the week, the Cathedral was filled with over 800 parishioners that evening.
Bishop Richard had earlier signed the Ecological Diocese Pledge together with all Bishops, Archbishops and Cardinal of Malaysia in July 2023, pledging Miri Diocese to live out a deep ecological spirituality advancing ecological justice and resilience for all creation according to the Ecological Diocese Protocols.
During this special celebration, the same pledge was signed by each of the 14 Parish Rectors to similarly undertake the same promise for their parishes. It was an apt moment as 2025 is the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si’ mi Signore” on the care for our common home and the 800th anniversary of the St Francis of Assisi’s song, “Canticle of the Sun” which highlights our deep connection with God’s creation.
Bishop Richard, in his homily pointed out that care for God’s creation is invariably connected to the care of the poor and disadvantaged. This is because, the poor and marginalised are the first to suffer from ecological devastation caused by human disregard of God’s creation. The poor are less able to avoid the consequences of extreme climate events compared to the well-to-do in society who, though contributing more to the ecological devastation, are in a better position to escape the consequences. He exhorted the faithful to ecological conversion and to urgently embrace sustainable practices and lifestyles.
Everyone can do their individual part, to be good stewards of God’s creation. We have the responsibility not only for today, but also for future generations. We have to practice prudent use of all resources, and not waste, pollute or damage our environment. Where possible, we plant and nurture more trees.
Following Bishop’s Solemn Blessing at the end of Mass, the 14 Parish Rectors each signed the Ecological pledge for their respective parishes in front of the altar in the presence of all the faithful gathered in the Cathedral. Thereafter, Bishop Richard unveiled the Ecological Diocese Pledge he signed earlier and which has been casted onto a bronze plaque. This plaque was mounted on a wooden pedestal made from wood left over from previous Church renovations.
The 14 freshly signed Ecological Parish Pledges were quickly framed and presented back to the Parish Rectors together with potted plants as symbols of God’s creation for the parishes to nurture. These presentations were made by school children who represented the future generations who will reap the fruits of our actions or inactions today.
With this launching Mass, the journey towards an ecological diocese is well under way. Laudato Si Mi Signore – Praise Be To You My Lord!
