On Tuesday Pope Francis launched the Laudato si’ Action Platform (LSAP), which Cardinal Peter Turkson, the prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, described as a “seven-year journey towards integral ecology.”
The Holy Father launched this initiative at the end of the Year of Laudato si’, which commemorated the fifth anniversary of his encyclical on ecology. In a video-message to the world, the pope said that he wrote that document in 2015 to invite “all people of good will to take care of the Earth, which is our common home. For a long time now, this house that hosts us suffers as a result of wounds that we cause by our predatory attitude, which makes us feel that we are masters of the planet and its resources, and authorizes us to make irresponsible use of the goods God has given us. Nowadays, these wounds manifest themselves dramatically in an ecological crisis without precedent, which affects the ground, the air, water and, in general, the ecosystem in which human beings live. The current pandemic has now brought to light in an even stronger way the cry of nature and that of the poor who suffer most of the consequences, highlighting that everything is interconnected and interdependent and that our health is not separated from the health of the environment in which we live.”
To respond to these crises, Pope Francis said that “we need a new ecological approach, that can transform our way of dwelling in the world, our styles of life, our relationship with the resources of the Earth and, in general, our way of looking at humanity and of living life. An integral human ecology, that involves not only environmental questions but also mankind in his entirety, that becomes capable of listening to the cry of the poor and of being leaven for a new society.” In other words, it is not just a matter of looking at the physical world, but also looking at humanity, especially those most vulnerable, and seeing how we Catholics can help the sociological and ecological realms both grow, as does yeast in a loaf of bread.
The pope reminded us that “We have a great responsibility, especially with regard to the future generations. What world do we want to leave to our children and our young? Our selfishness, our indifference and our irresponsible ways are threatening the future of our children! I therefore renew my appeal: let us take care of our mother Earth; So I renew my appeal: let us take care of our mother Earth, let us overcome the temptation of selfishness that makes us predators of resources, let us cultivate respect for the gifts of the Earth and Creation, let us inaugurate a lifestyle and a society that is finally eco-sustainable: we have the opportunity to prepare a better tomorrow for all. From God’s hands we have received a garden, we cannot leave a desert to our children.” If we fail to heed the pontiff’s call, then we will receive our just desserts, and they won’t be tasty. They won’t be Sara Lee, but more like Sahara Lee.
Looking at this past year’s commemoration, the pope said, “In this context, on May 24, 2020 I proclaimed the Laudato si’ Year, the organization of which was entrusted to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. I thank all those who have celebrated this year with many initiatives. Today I am pleased to announce that the Laudato si’ Year will result in a concrete action project, the Laudato si’ Action Platform, a seven-year journey that will see our communities committed in different ways to becoming totally sustainable, in the spirit of integral ecology.”
Then using a different meaning of the word “environment,” pointing to areas of human affairs, not flora and fauna, the Holy Father issued an invitation to various sectors of humanity. “I would therefore invite everyone to embark on this journey together, and in particular I address these seven environments: families; parishes and dioceses; schools and universities; hospitals; businesses and farms; organizations, groups and movements; [and] religious institutes. Work together. Only in this way will we be able to create the future we want: a more inclusive, fraternal, peaceful and sustainable world.”
Pope Francis then said that this will be “a journey that will last for seven years,” and asked that “we will let ourselves be guided by the seven aims of Laudato si’, which will show us the direction while we pursue the vision of integral ecology: the response to the cry of the Earth, the response to the cry of the poor, the ecological economy, the adoption of a simple way of life, ecological education, ecological spirituality and community engagement.” These seven areas should be our focus, in dealing with the planet, according to the Holy Father.
“There is hope. We can all collaborate, each one with his own culture and experience, each one with her own initiatives and capacities, so that our mother Earth may be restored to her original beauty and Creation may once again shine according to God’s plan. God bless each one of you, and bless our mission to rebuild out common home. Thank you.”
May God help us to use what He has given us wisely and lovingly.
The Holy Father launched this initiative at the end of the Year of Laudato si’, which commemorated the fifth anniversary of his encyclical on ecology. In a video-message to the world, the pope said that he wrote that document in 2015 to invite “all people of good will to take care of the Earth, which is our common home. For a long time now, this house that hosts us suffers as a result of wounds that we cause by our predatory attitude, which makes us feel that we are masters of the planet and its resources, and authorizes us to make irresponsible use of the goods God has given us. Nowadays, these wounds manifest themselves dramatically in an ecological crisis without precedent, which affects the ground, the air, water and, in general, the ecosystem in which human beings live. The current pandemic has now brought to light in an even stronger way the cry of nature and that of the poor who suffer most of the consequences, highlighting that everything is interconnected and interdependent and that our health is not separated from the health of the environment in which we live.”
To respond to these crises, Pope Francis said that “we need a new ecological approach, that can transform our way of dwelling in the world, our styles of life, our relationship with the resources of the Earth and, in general, our way of looking at humanity and of living life. An integral human ecology, that involves not only environmental questions but also mankind in his entirety, that becomes capable of listening to the cry of the poor and of being leaven for a new society.” In other words, it is not just a matter of looking at the physical world, but also looking at humanity, especially those most vulnerable, and seeing how we Catholics can help the sociological and ecological realms both grow, as does yeast in a loaf of bread.
The pope reminded us that “We have a great responsibility, especially with regard to the future generations. What world do we want to leave to our children and our young? Our selfishness, our indifference and our irresponsible ways are threatening the future of our children! I therefore renew my appeal: let us take care of our mother Earth; So I renew my appeal: let us take care of our mother Earth, let us overcome the temptation of selfishness that makes us predators of resources, let us cultivate respect for the gifts of the Earth and Creation, let us inaugurate a lifestyle and a society that is finally eco-sustainable: we have the opportunity to prepare a better tomorrow for all. From God’s hands we have received a garden, we cannot leave a desert to our children.” If we fail to heed the pontiff’s call, then we will receive our just desserts, and they won’t be tasty. They won’t be Sara Lee, but more like Sahara Lee.
Looking at this past year’s commemoration, the pope said, “In this context, on May 24, 2020 I proclaimed the Laudato si’ Year, the organization of which was entrusted to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. I thank all those who have celebrated this year with many initiatives. Today I am pleased to announce that the Laudato si’ Year will result in a concrete action project, the Laudato si’ Action Platform, a seven-year journey that will see our communities committed in different ways to becoming totally sustainable, in the spirit of integral ecology.”
Then using a different meaning of the word “environment,” pointing to areas of human affairs, not flora and fauna, the Holy Father issued an invitation to various sectors of humanity. “I would therefore invite everyone to embark on this journey together, and in particular I address these seven environments: families; parishes and dioceses; schools and universities; hospitals; businesses and farms; organizations, groups and movements; [and] religious institutes. Work together. Only in this way will we be able to create the future we want: a more inclusive, fraternal, peaceful and sustainable world.”
Pope Francis then said that this will be “a journey that will last for seven years,” and asked that “we will let ourselves be guided by the seven aims of Laudato si’, which will show us the direction while we pursue the vision of integral ecology: the response to the cry of the Earth, the response to the cry of the poor, the ecological economy, the adoption of a simple way of life, ecological education, ecological spirituality and community engagement.” These seven areas should be our focus, in dealing with the planet, according to the Holy Father.
“There is hope. We can all collaborate, each one with his own culture and experience, each one with her own initiatives and capacities, so that our mother Earth may be restored to her original beauty and Creation may once again shine according to God’s plan. God bless each one of you, and bless our mission to rebuild out common home. Thank you.”
May God help us to use what He has given us wisely and lovingly.
