Catholic couples and children preparing for the First Communion in Indonesia have been asked to plant trees. (Photo by Sara Keller/via Wikimedia Commons)
The Catholic Church has expressed support for a government initiative to encourage couples to plant trees, saying that it's consistent with the pope's encyclical Laudato si'.
Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar announced the initiative last week, to address the 24.3 million hectares of Indonesian land that is currently in a critical condition.
The minister said that she will work with the Religious Affairs Ministry, among others, on the project.
"We support the government's initiative," Bishop Fransiskus Kopong Kung, head of the Indonesian Bishops' Commission for Family, told ucanews.com. "We are glad that protecting the environment is becoming a movement for all — both the Catholic Church and society."
He described the government initiative was "in line with" Pope Francis' encyclical on caring for the environment, Laudato si'.
Decisions about implementing the initiative will be made at diocesan level. "We let every diocese make their own policy: calling for couples to plant trees or producing other ideas. It should depend on practical and concrete matters," he said.
The prelate said that his diocese would take up the initiative next year.
"Each family will be asked to plant 1,000 trees on their own land or land belonging to their parishes. It is hoped love for the environment can be boosted," he said, adding that couples and Catholic children preparing for the First Communion will plant trees as well.
Franciscan Father Yohanes Kristoforus Tara, Coordinator of the Franciscan-run Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in Timor, praised the government's initiative.
"I think the government wants families — the smallest units of society — to take part in an effort to save our forests. The idea must get support," he said.
Speaking of Laudato si', the Franciscan priest said, "If the government too welcomes the encyclical and then makes a movement starting with families, I think this is very positive."
Father Tara's own parish, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Laktutus, Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara, has obliged parishioners to plant trees since 2014.
"We began during Lent two years ago. Parishioners were asked to plant at least one tree as part of their indulgence. Couples and children preparing for the First Communion then followed," said Father Tara.
However, Director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in Kalimantan, Divine Word Father Fransiskus de Sales Sani Lake said that while tree planting is common, regulating deforestation effectively is essential.
"It will be useless if trees are planted but then the regulation isn't implemented well," he said.
Kalimantan has a huge amount of land in critical condition, he said. "In order to meet policies supporting extractive industries such as mines and plantations, too many trees in forests are cut down. This is very concerning."