Bangkok, Thailand, Jun 7, 2016 / 23:36 pm
Inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical on caring for creation, and concerned by environmental threats around them, Catholic parishioners in Thailand are planting hundreds of new trees.
"Pope Francis has enlightened us and appealed to us in his encyclical 'Laudato Sì' for collective action and bold cultural revolution to tackle environmental issues," said Father Daniel Khuan Thinwan.
"As pastors it's our responsibility to take these teachings to the peripheries so that the faithful can find their true meaning in practice," he told CNA June 6.
The priest is from Mount Carmel Church in Paphanawan in the Diocese of Thare and Nonseng in the far northeastern region of Thailand. The parish community's reforestation program planted 800 saplings to celebrate World Environment Day, held on June 5.