A Call to Protect Indigenous Lands and Heritage

On October 13, the Catholic Church celebrates Indigenous Peoples Sunday with the theme, Lakbay-Laya: Pilgrims of Hope in Ancestral Domain. This theme highlights the deep connection Indigenous Peoples have with their ancestral lands, which serve not only as their home but as a sacred space that shapes their identity, culture, and spirituality. Despite the immense challenges they face—poverty, displacement, and exploitation—Indigenous Peoples continue their pilgrimage with unwavering hope and courage.

This celebration calls for collective action to protect their sacred lands from industrial encroachments and environmental destruction. It is a reminder to all of us that Indigenous communities are not alone in their struggle for self-governance and the preservation of their cultural heritage. We are all stewards of creation, and their fight for justice and environmental conservation is our shared responsibility. Let us stand in solidarity with them, upholding their rights and working together for the good of our common home.