Panaji: The faithful chose to go green for All Souls Day, largely keeping away from plastic while decorating the graves of their loved ones.
The appeal from the Archdiocese’s Caritas Goa and the Council for Social Justice and Peace to reduce plastic, circulated to all churches and chapels, was read out to parishioners during the announcements during mass on Sunday and during the daily services in the run up to Thursday.
Adhering to the appeal, the faithful ensured they separated plastic from the bouquets of flowers before entering the cemetery, leaving it looking beautiful.
Fr Myron Barreto, assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim said extra efforts were taken to ensure the cemetery was spotless, in time for All Soul’s Day.
“We also instructed our caretaker to ensure that there was no plastic waste,” he told Times of India.
At the Holy Spirit Church cemetery in Margao notices were pasted at the entrance instructing people to keep the cemetery clean and free from plastic waste.
The Church’s appeal to alter lifestyle by using only biodegradable material isn’t restricted to All Soul’s Day, but also during anniversaries, parish meetings, Church programmes and while serving refreshments at the visitation of the Our Lady.
At the St Inez cemetery too parishioners used only fresh flowers minus plastic and silver foil, leaving it looking beautiful. Soulful music playing in the background helped set the right mood for the faithful paying respects to the departed souls.
A parishioner from Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji, Rui Ferreira, welcomed the initiative the Church has taken. “If we don’t start ourselves, how can we correct other ills plaguing the environment?” he questioned.
“The issue is a serious one as Panaji doesn’t have a place to throw garbage, not even biodegradable waste, as of today,” he said. Referring to Justice Gautam Patel’s statement that Goa is a land truly worth fighting for, Ferreira said the council for social justice must play a bigger and more proactive role in supporting those fighting against environmental degradation in the state.
The state government is also taking small steps to eliminate plastic with chief minister Manohar Parrikar refusing to accept bouquets wrapped in plastic when invited as chief guest for functions, and speaking out openly against the used of plastic at government functions.