Tree ordination ceremonies, rooted in Buddhist ecological practice, were originally initiated by monks in Cambodia and Thailand. They involve the wrapping of a special tree in saffron-coloured cloth, symbolising its ordination into sacred life and signifying that it should not be harmed or cut down. This sacred act transforms a tree from a natural object into a spiritual symbol—one deserving of protection and reverence.
The practice has since evolved into a broader interfaith environmental tradition, embraced by various religious groups—including Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Cambodia—who see in it a deep expression of shared values: respect for life, protection of the Earth, and a commitment to intergenerational justice.
By undertaking this ceremony at the entrance of the JRS Reflection Centre in July during their annual assembly, members of the JCAP Reconciliation with Creation network sent a powerful message: that the Earth is sacred, and that caring for creation is a spiritual responsibility shared across faiths.
Sr Denise Coghlan, a Sister of Mercy from Australia, moved from her hometown, Brisbane, to the Thai-Cambodia border in 1988 to work with Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees. Two years later, she relocated to Cambodia with the inception of JRS Cambodia. The team of Sr Ath Long, Br Noel Oliver SJ, Fr Jub Phokthavi SJ and Sr Denise initially focused on reconciliation and the creation of an integrated rural development project and a vocational training school, Banteay Prieb, for people physically and psychologically wounded by war. In 1997 a special moment of joy occurred when one of the team members, Tun “Reth” Channareth, who had lost his legs to a landmine in 1982, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
Through initiatives like Faith Harmony Week, Denise has helped foster collaboration between Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims on shared environmental values. This year’s tree ordination continued this tradition—rooted in Buddhist ceremony, enriched by Catholic social teaching, and opened to all as a shared call to ecological conversion.
Leading the ordination ceremony was Fr Manoj Kumar Ekka SJ, a Jesuit priest originally from India who has served in Cambodia since 2005. Fr Manoj, along with local community members and the wider RWC team, blessed the tree and led prayers that spoke to the sacredness of all life.
The ceremony emphasised three central pillars of the tradition: first, protection of natural resources. By making the tree sacred, it is given the same moral and spiritual protection as a monk, thus ensuring its survival and sending a message that nature is not to be exploited. Second, environmental awareness. The public nature of the ceremony educates and inspires both participants and observers, reminding them of their role in preserving the natural world. Third, cultural and spiritual connection. This act creates a tangible connection between faith and creation, deepening the spiritual roots of ecological commitment.
The tree now stands at the entrance of the JRS Reflection Centre, wrapped in its saffron robe, a living symbol of interfaith solidarity and environmental protection.
Adding to the significance of the event was the participation of students and staff from St Ignatius College Riverview in Australia, who were in Cambodia for their Cambodia Immersion Program. The timing of their visit allowed them to witness and participate in the tree ordination, offering them a powerful encounter with Cambodian spirituality, ecological justice, and the lived experience of Jesuit mission.
For many of the students, the ceremony was a moment of profound spiritual and emotional impact. As one participant shared, “Being part of the tree ordination was a deeply moving experience. It created a profound connection not just with that tree, but with all trees, truly being with God in nature.”
This immersion highlighted the transformative power of encounter—a cornerstone of Jesuit education—and reinforced the importance of ecological justice as central to the mission of faith and education.
Representatives from across the JCAP expressed a clear commitment to expanding ecological education, supporting grassroots environmental projects, and deepening the integration of Laudato sí’s message into all levels of Jesuit mission and ministry.
The tree ordination ceremony stood as a centerpiece of the gathering—not only a symbolic act but a living commitment to care for our common home. It united people across generations, cultures, and faiths under a single purpose: to honour and protect the Earth as a sacred gift.
