A Catholic priest has appealed for more and better shelters for victims of a volcanic eruption in the Philippines after criticizing a local government response.

The nation’s Catholics have started to reflect on their long-term responsibilities in the face of this unprecedented environmental catastrophe.

To you, O God, I entrust my sorrow, my fears, my anguish, as well as the people, the flora and fauna, the land of Australia.

Bishop Shane Mackinlay of Diocese of Sandhurst expressed concern about "the impact that fires have already had on communities and by the anxiety that the threat of fire is causing."

Catholic groups involved in climate change advocacy are frustrated over lack of progress in wake of UN climate talks in Spain.

Despite growing recognition of climate change as a legitimate and looming threat, current commitments to mitigate its effects and alter human behavior fall short of those needed to resolve the crisis in time, Pope Francis said.