Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 22: The students of philosophy from St Joseph’s Institute of Philosophy (SJIP) studying at St Joseph’s interdiocesan Seminary (SJS), Jeppu, Mangaluru, in collaboration with the Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK Centenary Trust), and the Chair in Christianity, Mangalore University, undertook an ecological exposure visit to the Kanthavara forest base camp at the foothills of the Western Ghats.
The programme was designed to understand the beauty of creation and deepen the knowledge of Laudato Si’, the encyclical Pope Francis on the care for common home. The exposure began with an orientation session at Kanthavara Grama, where the aspect of preserving the reserve forest was highlighted. The broken forest tour helped the students to get immersed with nature. The sessions drew the attention of students about the reasons behind deforestation, urban animal invasion, the biodiversity crisis, and the real sources of water, reminding all not to think that humans are 'smarter than nature'. The visit to Bamboosetum, with its 68 varieties, revealed how bamboo produces 30% more oxygen than other plants.
The scientific and spiritual dimensions of Laudato Si’ were then explored. It was pointed out by the environmentalists that capitalism is a greater threat to ecology than religion. Pope Francis, in writing Laudato Si’, sought to identify the suffering of creation and humanity, pointing to four essential themes: the problem, ownership, carrying capacity, healing and conversion.
There was a visit to the broken forest in which students participated in planting of saplings as a symbolic act of renewal and hope at the Francis Miyawaki View Point. The sessions concluded with reflections on love, drawing from St Augustine’s words: “Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.”
In the evening, a felicitation programme was held to thank the CASK Centenary Trust (CCT), which supported the exposure morally and financially. The guests included Richard C Rodriguez (managing trustee), Dr Derek Antony Lobo (secretary), Norbert N Shenoy (treasurer), Clotilda Shenoy, Patricia Lobo, and Patricia Mathias. The rector of St Joseph’s Seminary recognised the support of CCT in the formation of the students and thanked them. Students shared their enriching experiences from the day, while acknowledging the contributions of Arun Shenoy, Jeeth Milan Roche, Fr Richard and many others who helped make the programme a success.