1,000 students to attend Church's global warming confab

Some 1,000 students and parish leaders are expected to attend a two-day Church-sponsored conference on global warming in Manila in September. The Archdiocese of Manila’s ecology desk organized the event to stress the need to address issues on global warming and climate change. “It is time we get to the real issues about global warming and climate change before it’s too late," ecology desk director Fr. Benito Tuazon said in a statement posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website, www.cbcpnews.com. Dubbed “Global Warming, Hamon sa Sambayang Kristiyano," the conference will be held September 22 to 23 at the College of the Holy Spirit of Manila. Other organizers include the Columban Fathers and the Lingkod Tao Kalikasan Foundation Inc. led by Sister Ma. Aida Velasquez OSB. Tuazon said lecturers at the forum would include weather experts from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. He said they hope to raise the consciousness of the Archdiocese of Manila’s faithful on the serious conditions of God’s creation by understanding global warming and climate change “in the light of the Social Teachings of the Church." Other speakers include Dr. Roger Concepcion and priest Sean McDonagh. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo will lead a concelebrated ecologically-inspired Mass at the end of the program. Program Director Lourdes Arsenio said there would also be a photo exhibit on Philippine biodiversity and different environmental situations. - GMANews.TV