World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation: Fr. Zaku Tasks Faithful on Care of the Environment

By Emmanuel Eko,CSN Media

As the Catholic Church globally mark the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, the National Director, Pontifical Mission Societies, Rev. Fr. Patrick Solomon Zaku has urged the faithful to embrace practical steps in caring for the environment, stressing that protecting the earth is both a moral and spiritual responsibility.

In his Homily to commemorate the occasion on 1 September, 2025 at the St. Gabriel Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Fr. Zaku reminded the worshippers that creation is a gift from God entrusted to humanity, and as such, it must be safeguarded for present and future generations. He noted that issues such as Herders-farmers crises, deforestation, pollution, and climate change are urgent concerns that require collective action.

Citing the scripture, Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”

“The cry of the earth is equally the cry of the poor,” he said, echoing Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. “We cannot claim to love God while neglecting His creation. Every tree we plant, every waste we recycle, and every effort we make to reduce harm to the environment is an act of faith.”

Fr. Zaku called on parishes, schools, and families to intensify environmental education and sustainable practices such as tree planting, clean-up exercises, and reduced use of plastics. He emphasized that small, consistent actions can create lasting impact.

The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, instituted by Pope Francis in 2015, is observed every September 1 to raise awareness on ecological justice and encourage Christians to live in harmony with nature. This year’s celebration also ushered in the Season of Creation, a month-long period of reflection and action on environmental stewardship observed globally from September 1 to October 4.