In Bangladesh, the call for “care for nature” in Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’ has resonated deeply across religious lines. Christians, Protestants, and non-Christians alike have embraced its message, sparking environmental action in a country increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Bangladesh, a coastal South Asian nation, faces frequent natural disasters — floods, cyclones, river erosion, and landslides — that claim lives and displace communities. Ranked as the ninth highest disaster-risk country globally, it sees hundreds of villagers migrating to cities each year due to river erosion and climate-induced hardship.
In response, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB) launched an ambitious initiative to plant one million trees nationwide. The program began on August 14, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with all bishops present at the CBCB Centre in Dhaka.
“Planting trees remains one of the most powerful actions we can take to combat climate change, which is why our bishops prioritize it,” Father Tushar James Gomes, assistant secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, told Catholic News Agency. “Laudato Si’ has significantly raised awareness about the importance of caring for our environment,” he added. “People now understand that protecting nature is not optional — it’s essential.”
Tushar emphasized that the Church is moving beyond tree planting. “We are working to declare parishes and organizations as ‘green and clean.’ Many church-run organizations are phasing out plastic bottles and single-use items. Though not yet 100% successful, the effort continues.” The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace has played a leading role in translating, promoting, and publishing Laudato Si’ in Bengali. Holy Cross Father Liton H. Gomes, secretary of the commission, told Catholic News Agency that public awareness about environmental care has grown significantly.
Interfaith workshops continue to strengthen the movement. On June 27-28, 2025, a training on life and nature protection was held at the CBCB Center in Dhaka, attended by 90 participants, including Catholics and Protestants, organized by the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace and World Vision Bangladesh. From tree planting to interfaith dialogue, Bangladesh’s Christian community is living out the spirit of Laudato Si’, proving that care for creation transcends religious boundaries — making it a shared human responsibility.
