Carbon fast

by Michelle Fortes

Mumbai Catholics to observe ‘carbon fast’ this Lent:

Bishop Allwyn D’Silva asked people to use less electricity, water and plastic.

Posted on February 22, 2017, 10:16 PM

The Archdiocese of Bombay has asked its members to observe a ‘carbon fast’ during this Lenten season to create awareness about global warming and the importance of a sustainable lifestyle. 

Every parish have been allotted a day when they will incorporate environment-saving practices into their activities. There are over a 100 parishes in Mumbai with a total membership of nearly 5,00,000 .

Auxilliary Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, who heads of the Archdiocesan Office for Environment, said the ‘carbon fast’ will encourage people to examine their daily actions and its effect on the environment. “The parish can decide what they want to do. This (the carbon fast) can be done along with other fasts. All know that the world is affected by climate change,” said Bishop D’Silva.

The bishop has been a promoter of environment ideas in the church. As parish priest of the five-centuries-old St John the Baptist Church in Thane, he had set up a rain-water harvesting system, a solar energy plant and a waste recycling system in the church compound. He promoted the use of energy efficient LED lights and fans that used less electricity.

Bishop D’Silva said for the ‘carbon fast’, people could try to reduce their consumption of electricity, use less water and avoid use of plastic.

Brian Pereira, a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Marol, where the ‘carbon fast’ will be observed on April 7, said that he had several ideas for the day. “I can switch off the television on that day and spend the time in some activity to help the environment, or I can forgo the luxury of my car and use a bicycle,” said Pereira.

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