杏MAP导航

By Lydia O鈥橩ane

鈥淣ow is the time to rediscover our vocation as children of God, brothers and sisters, and stewards of creation.鈥� Those were the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 words in a message released for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which is observed on the 1^st of September.

Taking inspiration from the Book of Genesis, 杏MAP导航 Francis describes God鈥檚 gaze as 鈥渞esting lovingly on his creation鈥�.

But he goes on to say that, 鈥渢ragically, the human response to this gift has been marked by sin, selfishness and a greedy desire to possess and exploit.鈥�

鈥淓goism and self-interest鈥�, he says, 鈥渉ave turned creation, a place of encounter and sharing, into an arena of competition and conflict.  In this way, the environment itself is endangered鈥�.

Increased environmental deterioration in our world

In his message the Pontiff highlights how the world has experienced increased deterioration in recent decades.

He points to constant pollution, the continued use of fossil fuels, intensive agricultural exploitation and deforestation, which he says, 鈥渁re causing global temperatures to rise above safe levels.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 also notes the increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather phenomena and the desertification of the soil, which, he adds, 鈥渁re causing immense hardship for the most vulnerable among us.鈥�  杏MAP导航 Francis continues by saying that 鈥渕elting of glaciers, scarcity of water, neglect of water basins and the considerable presence of plastic and microplastics in the oceans are equally troubling, and testify to the urgent need for interventions that can no longer be postponed.鈥� 

Season of Creation

In effect, the 杏MAP导航 writes 鈥渨e have forgotten who we are: creatures made in the image of God.

The World Day of Prayer falls at the start of the Season of Creation, an ecumenical initiative which runs until 4th October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi. During this time the 杏MAP导航 is inviting the faithful to pray, reflect and take action.

Prayer, Reflection, Action

杏MAP导航 Francis underlines that 鈥渢his is the season for letting our prayer be inspired anew by closeness to nature, which spontaneously leads us to give thanks to God the Creator.鈥� Our prayers and appeals, he says, 鈥渁re directed first at raising the awareness of political and civil leaders鈥�, especially those governments 鈥渢hat will meet in the coming months to renew commitments decisive for directing the planet towards life, not death.鈥�

During this month, the 杏MAP导航 says that it is 鈥渁 season to reflect on our lifestyles, and how our daily decisions about food, consumption, transportation, use of water, energy and many other material goods, can often be thoughtless and harmful.鈥�

Now is the time, he adds, 鈥渢o abandon our dependence on fossil fuels and move, quickly and decisively, towards forms of clean energy and a sustainable and circular economy.  杏MAP导航 Francis also invites people to learn from 鈥渋ndigenous peoples, whose age-old wisdom can teach us how to live in a better relationship with the environment.鈥�

In the message the 杏MAP导航 urges the faithful undertake prophetic actions.  鈥淢any young people all over the world are making their voices heard and calling for courageous decisions鈥�, he comments. 

杏MAP导航 Francis stresses that, 鈥渨e owe them real answers, not empty words, actions not illusions.鈥�

Amazon Synod and UN Climate Summit

Concluding his message, the 杏MAP导航 mentions two major events that will take place over the coming months:  The United Nations Climate Action Summit and next month鈥檚, Synod on the Amazon region, 鈥淟et us take up these opportunities to respond to the cry of the poor and of our earth鈥�, he says.