Care for Creation in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church has a long history of celebrating, giving thanks for God’s creation and teaching about our human responsibility to care for it and to share God’s gifts with all, especially with the poor.
POPE FRANCIS’ ENCYCLICAL LAUDATO SI’
In his encyclical “On Care for our Common Home” Laudato Si’ 2015), Pope Francis’ teachings are grounded firmly in the Scriptures, Church teaching and the words of much loved saints, including St Francis of Assisi. He restates the message of previous popes, that care for the environment, responsible use of the world’s resources integrated with action for justice, are not optional for Christians. The Pope draws upon expertise from the Sciences and other fields of knowledge, to present an analysis of issues facing today’s world. He calls urgently for conversion of heart, for new ways of understanding and living in our relationships with God, God’s gifts of creation and with each other, especially for the poor, the vulnerable and generations yet unborn. Click here to read Laudato Si’:
LAUDATO SI’ SEVEN YEAR ACTION PLATFORM
A 7-year international Laudato Si’ Action Platform was launched in 2021 to implement the vision goals of ‘Laudato Si’.
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT 2021/22 CRY OF THE EARTH, CRY OF THE POOR
Click here to view the Social Justice Statement 2021-22
The Catholic Bishops Social Justice Statement 2021-22 provides theological foundations to ground and inspire efforts to care for creation while responding to the needs of the disadvantaged and excluded. In it, the Bishops’ Conference leads by example, inviting us all to work towards the seven Laudato Si’ Goals.
The Sandhurst Diocese Response to the above.
THE SANDHURST DIOCESE has signed up to the international LAUDATO SI’ ACTION PLATFORM.
ALL PARISHES are asked to register as CATHOLIC EARTHCARE PARISHES, our Sandhurst Diocese pathway towards achieving the goals of the 7 year worldwide Laudato Si Action Platform. An ‘easy to follow’ process, guidelines and resources for the Australian context are provided on the Catholic Earthcare Australia website. Click here to visit - Catholic Earthcare Australia
Becoming an ‘Earthcare Parish’:
(*Video Link yet to Come)
The invitation to all parishes to register as Catholic Earthcare Parishes with ‘easy to use’ guidelines, process and resources is explained in a short video (approx. 20 minutes) by Kerry Stone (Caritas/Justice Coordinator for the Sandhurst Diocese)
THE SANDHURST DIOCESE CHANCERY has registered as a CATHOLIC EARTHCARE ORGANISATION
