Philippine bishops call for 'ecological conversion' amid climate crisis

"Given the high rate of poverty in the Philippines, the need to manage the environment is paramount. Poverty and environmental degradation mutually reinforce each other," Cbcpnews.net reported the letter as saying.

The letter outlines the issues facing the country, among them the irresponsible mining, the building of dams, and the growing dependence on fossil fuel-based energy, such as coal. Several studies have shown that the Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Cbcpnews.net said.

The letter was released after the bishops' recent plenary assembly in Manila as way of helping put into action Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical, "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home.

The bishops agreed not to allow the financial resources of Catholic institutions to be invested in favor of coal-fired power plants and mining companies, Cbcpnews.net reported.

"Divestment from such investment portfolios must be encouraged," they stressed.