The Care of Creation
“Pope: Care for creation is an ethical and theological issue
“Humanity’s abuse of nature requires a true conversion and invites us to change our lifestyles. Pope Francis made this appeal in his Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to be held on September 1, 2024….
“The Day’s theme this year is ‘Hope and Act with Creation,’ drawn from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans (8:19-25), in which the Apostle explains what it means for us to live according to the Spirit, and focuses on the sure hope of salvation that is born of faith, namely, the newness of life in Christ.
“The message signed by Pope Francis … stresses that, as Christians called to live in faith and charity, caring for the environment is ‘a task to be undertaken freely, in obedience to Jesus’ commandment of love.’…”
(The Catholic Church, Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, 27 June 2024.) For the full message, see https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pope-care-for-creation-is-an-ethical-and-theological-issue/
“COP28: Guarded optimism from Environment Bishop but climate targets need to be measured and met
“Responding to the COP28 climate summit in Dubai and the so-called UAE Consensus, Bishop John Arnold … stressed that he wants to see more than words on paper…. ‘there’s no real sign of measured commitments being met and sanctions for anyone who doesn’t meet the commitments…’.”
The Catholic Church, Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, 13 Dec 2023. Full article at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/cop28-guarded-optimism-from-environment-bishop-but-climate-targets-need-to-be-measured-and-met/
“World Faiths to run pavilion at COP28
“Faiths are being formally recognized as essential contributors to the December 2023 United Nations COP28 climate conference in Dubai…. the first-ever robust Faith Pavilion at a UN climate conference… will promote the active involvement of religious leaders and communities around the world curbing climate change. Faith leaders have a key role to play in addressing climate change and climate justice, which requires deep transformation within society. Given the influence of religious leaders on religious people around the world, the advocacy and action of religious leaders can increase awareness of the urgency of climate action and inspire behavioral changes based on moral and spiritual responsibility to curb climate change. "
Independent Catholic News, 14 September 2023. See full article at https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/48010
“Holy See statement to UN on sustainable development
“…Archbishop Caccia noted with concern that halfway towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, progress towards the goals of the Agenda has either been insufficient or has regressed, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Poverty eradication remains the greatest global challenge and a requirement for sustainable development, he said….”
Independent Catholic News, Source: Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN, 20 July 2023. Full article at https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/47631
“Half the Catholic dioceses of England and Wales have now divested from fossil fuels…”
The Catholic Church, Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, 21 Apr 2023.
See the full article at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/half-the-catholic-dioceses-of-england-and-wales-have-now-divested-from-fossil-fuels/
“Pope appeals for renewal of our relationship with Creation
“Pope Francis' Message for the 2023 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation was released on Thursday, 25 May. This year's theme is: 'Let Justice and Peace Flow', inspired by the words of the prophet Amos: 'Let justice flow on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.'
“The Pope begins by noting that: ‘God wants justice to reign; it is as essential to our life as God's children made in his likeness as water is essential for our physical survival.’…
"’Let us raise our voices to halt this injustice towards the poor and towards our children, who will bear the worst effects of climate change. I appeal to all people of goodwill to act in conformity with these perspectives on society and nature.’…
“[Pope Francis] upholds the strength of communion of countless local Churches, each of whom has a unique and irreplaceable contribution to make, and he prays that the Holy Spirit may guide our efforts to ‘renew the face of the earth.’…"
Independent Catholic News, Source: Vatican News, 25 May 2023. See full article at https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/47243
“Wealthy world leaders accused of fossil fuel use
“As COP27 begins, CAFOD says that poor communities are being ‘failed’ by world leaders as reports emerged that the UK is pursuing deals with the USA for more fossil fuels….
“Catholic UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres … hit out at the “rank deception” of fossil fuel firms with net zero pledges who are still expanding their operations….
“Cardinal Pietro Parolin also delivered a message on behalf of Pope Francis at COP27, stating that world leaders have ‘a moral obligation’ to act seriously and together to safeguard the planet and to offer concrete aid to people suffering the ‘more frequent and more serious humanitarian impacts caused by climate change.’
“The cardinal told world leaders that ‘the growing phenomenon of migrants being displaced’ by climate change is something they must act on because currently ‘they lack access to international protection’ recognising them as deserving special care.
“The news comes as a new poll shows that nearly 60% of Catholics believe the government has done too little to tackle climate change in the last year….
“Lead Bishop for the Environment and CAFOD chair Bishop John Arnold has challenged the UN climate summit attendees to develop solutions to the ‘defining challenge of our generation’….
“Bishop Arnold called for ‘those most in need’ to be prioritised.
“’We know that the world faces a financial crisis but we hope that governments can come to a solution where those most in need are put at the top of the agenda, with those who have caused the climate crisis providing their fair share,’ he said.
“’For too long, we have been reliant on fossil fuels which are causing devastation to communities around the world. I pray the government and world leaders will seize this opportunity and invest in renewable energy so we can protect our planet for future generations.’
“Campaigners are demanding rich countries commit at COP27 to set up and contribute towards a ‘loss and damage fund’, meaning the countries that have historically polluted the most provide financial support to countries that have contributed least to the climate crisis but are being hardest hit….”
Used with permission, Universe Catholic Weekly, Andy Drozdziak, 10 Nov 2022
For a complete version of this article, visit the following web link:
“Message of Pope Francis for World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation
“For the first time, Pope Francis has published in advance his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which is celebrated every September 1. It marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, an ecumenical period that unites Christians to pray and take action for our common home.
“What does the message say? We summarize it in four key points:
“A time to cultivate our ecological conversion
“The Pope defines the Season of Creation as ‘an opportunity to cultivate our “ecological conversion”’, recalling this concept encouraged by St. John Paul II as a response to the 'ecological catastrophe' announced by St. Paul VI as early as 1970.
“In this way, he invites all Christians during this time to "pray once more in the great cathedral of creation, and revel in the ‘grandiose cosmic choir’ made up of countless creatures, all singing the praises of God"….
“Sweet song and bitter cry
“Listening to creation, Francis mentions that there is a ‘kind of dissonance’: ‘On the one hand, we can hear a sweet song in praise of our beloved Creator; on the other, an anguished plea, lamenting our mistreatment of this our common home’.
“In this regard, the Executive Director of Laudato Si' Movement, Tomás Insua, mentioned: ‘The sweet song of creation is mixed with its bitter cry, as evidenced by the intense heat wave that is experienced in much of the northern hemisphere and that has already killed, only in Spain and Portugal, more than 1000 people or has left 5 million people without water in Monterrey, Mexico’….
“A warning message ahead of the COPs
“Ahead COP 27 on climate (Egypt, November 2022) and COP 15 on biodiversity (Canada, December 2022) Francis recalls in his message the importance of ‘promoting the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement’, as recently ratified by the Holy See….
“Four key principles for biodiversity
“Pope Francis also uses his message to call on nations to halt the further collapse of the ‘web of life’ - biodiversity - pointing to four principles:
- Building a clear ethical basis for the transformation we need in order to save biodiversity;
- Fight biodiversity loss, support its conservation and recovery, and meet people's needs in a sustainable way;
- Promote global solidarity, taking into account that biodiversity is a global common good that requires a shared commitment;
- Put people in vulnerable situations at the centre, including those most affected by biodiversity loss, such as indigenous peoples, older people and youth.”
Independent Catholic News, Source: Laudato Si’ Movement, 21 July 2022, https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/45137
“Bishops of Europe statement on Season of Creation
“1 SEPTEMBER- 4 OCTOBER 2022: SEASON OF CREATION
“Pope Francis' Message for the celebration of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation - to be held on 1 September 2022 - was published on 16 July. It has been a unique time that has seen various parts of the world devastated by the fires that have destroyed much of the planet's green areas.
“… Europe has been faced with a genuine environmental catastrophe that, in 97% of cases, is attributable to the actions of man. In the 27 countries within the European Union, according to a recent estimate, fires have already devastated a total of 517,881 hectares since the beginning of the year, compared to 470,359 the previous year.
“It is worrying, moreover, that scholars are already hypothesising the transition from our era (Anthropocene) to the next one, to which they have already given the name "pyrocene", the effects of which are already visible ….
“To all this must be added the enormous… damage to the environment caused by the ongoing wars in Ukraine as well as in other areas of the planet. As early as the 1960s, the term "ecocide" was coined in the wake of the military campaign in Vietnam. Since then, attention to the effects of wars on the environment has grown. One should not forget the heavy air pollution caused by the burning of oil installations in Kuwait during the Gulf War (1990-1991), and the wars in Yemen and Syria with the contamination of soil and waterways. Ukrainian experts currently estimate that the long-term effects of this conflict may cause cancer, respiratory diseases and developmental delay in children.
“But, if the hand of man is the main cause of this current situation, it also bodes well that the same hand can find a resolution to all of this. And it is here that the Message of the Holy Father Francis takes on great importance: not a pious exhortation, but a real challenge launched to the powerful of the earth and to the leaders of the individual nations (be they rich or poor)…. This, added to his appeal to attitudes of conversion that are concrete on the part of all Christians, so that we may be that hand capable of putting a stop to a destruction that is foretold.
“Thus, the next World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, as well as the entire Season of Creation, which, from 1 Sep., will stretch until 4 Oct., can be a time of prayer, but also a time of serious conversion of attitudes and habits.
“We, European Bishops, join the appeal launched by Pope Francis, inviting all Christians to be spokesmen for these demands of the Planet, whose voice reveals "a kind of dissonance. On the one hand, we can hear a sweet song in praise of our beloved Creator; on the other, an anguished plea, lamenting our mistreatment of this our common home".
“May the Lord hear this cry and grant mankind a new heart, capable of showing compassion to the whole of creation, so that concrete gestures may be put in place to allow all creatures to return to praise the Creator and us to join in this ‘”grandiose cosmic choir” made up of countless creatures, all singing the praises of God’".
Independent Catholic News, Source: Bishops of Europe, 21 Aug 2022, https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/45326
“Climate Justice Fellowship: A Letter to the Lambeth Conference
“As Christians, we are called to express the restoring justice of God. We are to 'learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression' (Is. 1:17). Seeking justice means working in solidarity with those who are suffering the worst effects of the climate emergency, one of the biggest crises of our time. The Anglican Communion's efforts to address the climate crisis cannot be separated from God's call for Christians to live justly.
“People across the globe - particularly in the majority world - have been living through the destructive consequences of the climate emergency for decades. Many of the worst-affected countries are simultaneously dealing with poverty, conflict, and the hangovers of colonial violence, and are being pushed further into debt as the heavy toll of the climate crisis falls upon them. As a global Christian community, we need to collaborate and support each other in fellowship: a fellowship of faith and a fellowship of climate justice. We ask the Anglican Communion urgently to prioritise collaborative climate justice.
“The 2022 IPCC (Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change) report on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability concluded that breaching 1.5°C of warming 'would cause unavoidable increases in multiple climate hazards and present multiple risks to ecosystems and humans'. These impacts will be far from equally felt, with 'vulnerability higher in locations with poverty, governance challenges and limited access to basic services and resources, violent conflict and high levels of climate-sensitive livelihoods'.
“However, the IPCC also concluded that we are not powerless: we can substantially limit human-caused climate change by taking the recommended pathway to net zero, which includes significant decarbonisation by 2030. As part of that pathway, the International Energy Agency (IEA) concluded that 'there is no need for investment in new fossil fuel supply'. Despite this, just eight companies are planning over 200 oil and gas expansion projects between 2022 and 2025 - this includes ExxonMobil, who were found to be grossly insufficient on all ten minimum assessment criteria for alignment with 1.5°C warming, and from whom the Church Commissioners of the Church of England recently refused to divest.
“We want to see tangible action from the Church in the immediate future, and we join our voices with those of you at the Conference who are calling for justice. We ask the Church to:
- “Work creatively to enable the churches of wealthier nations to show fellowship with the climate-vulnerable, …
- Sever all remaining financial ties with fossil fuel companies, …
- Empower young people - particularly young people in climate-vulnerable nations …
- Speak out on the climate emergency, …"
Independent Catholic News, Young Christian Climate Network, 3 Aug 2022, https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/45218
“Walk. Talk. Act - for climate action
“The impact of climate change on our world is now evident to all. Scientists have been warning us about the implications for decades - and now we're seeing them. We should have acted years ago, but we didn't. Every further day without radical action increases the pain we will sustain and the challenge of controlling the climate and its impact on people and planet.
“In the run-up to COP27, a mass participation initiative is happening around the world to catalyse climate action by creating an opportunity to learn from each other, build solidarity, and make important connections. Participants are welcome from all countries and across the key stakeholder groups of governments and cities, companies, NGOs, students, faith groups, and friends and family.
“Walk2COP27 is an opportunity to get people moving wherever they are - a collaborative 45-day journey where participants can track their distances walked, run, cycled or travelled in a wheelchair and interact with communities of like-minded people. Every kilometre travelled means more trees planted….
“Walk2COP27 starts on 22nd September 2022. The 45-day virtual journey features 12 locally hosted town hall-hybrid meetings between Glasgow (COP26) and Sharm el-Sheikh (COP27), showcasing how climate change is impacting each location and the solutions that are being deployed. The town halls will be hosted in the 12 countries between the two COP hosts - Scotland and Egypt. The 12 are: Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. People can join these gatherings online, or in person.
“Participant-led discussions on climate action, spanning the four target outcomes of decarbonisation, resilience, justice and circularity will be hosted on the Clubhouse app between the town hall gatherings.
“In the final week of the journey, the voices of all participants will be recorded and synthesised into a proclamation for the COP27 attendees….
“The communities built, discussions held, commitments made, health and wellbeing enhanced, voices raised, and trees planted all make this initiative an opportunity worth joining in the battle against climate change.
“Participants can register for free on an app (atlasGO) from the 1st of September, join their team and start to plan for the kick-off on the 22nd of September.
“Raise your voice for climate action. Get moving. Walk. Talk. Act. Together we can.
“As the African proverb says: When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. When is the next best time? Today.”
Independent Catholic News, Virginia Bell, 11 Aug 2022, https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/45261
"Show the love" for our common home this February - CAFOD
“Displaying green hearts alongside allies from organisations across the climate movement is a way for Catholics to echo both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.
“Last year, CAFOD supporters mobilised in huge numbers to bring this message to our government and world leaders ahead of COP26….
“CAFOD supporters, alongside countless others around the world, did make a difference. They helped persuade governments to take greater action, even if world leaders still don’t recognise the urgency required….
“CAFOD joined Oxfam and Christian Aid to organise a post-COP briefing in parliament; giving MPs and Peers an opportunity to hear our partners’ reaction to the COP outcomes. We will soon begin the season of Lent, and CAFOD will host a reflection so MPs can contemplate how they ought to respond to the call to care for creation. In March, following the thousands of letters sent to MPs by CAFOD supporters, we will invite Human Rights and Environmental Defenders from Colombia to speak to MPs about a new Business, Human Rights, and the Environment Act.
“CAFOD knows that climate justice cannot be achieved alone, but by working together with allies in this country and around the world. That's why we are a proud member of The Climate Coalition, we showed our green hearts in Glasgow, and we are showing them again once more.”
With Permission, CAFOD, Frances Leach, 15th February 2022