杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

As the September 1 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation kicks off the month-long Season of Creation, 杏MAP导航 Francis offers a profound reflection on respect for the earth, its resources, the evils caused by man鈥檚 greed and the need for "restorative justice" such as debt cancellation for poor countries. 

This decisive moment

In his , the 杏MAP导航 notes that 鈥渢he pandemic has brought us to a crossroads鈥�.  鈥淲e must use this decisive moment,鈥� he says, 鈥渢o end our superfluous and destructive goals and activities, and to cultivate values, connections and activities that are life-giving.鈥� 鈥淲e must examine our habits of energy usage, consumption, transportation, and diet.  We must eliminate the superfluous and destructive aspects of our economies, and nurture life-giving ways to trade, produce, and transport goods.鈥�

Listen to the land and creation

The 杏MAP导航 reminds us that 鈥渨e cannot live in harmony with creation if we are not at peace with the Creator who is the source and origin of all things鈥�.  The Jubilee is a time for thinking once again of our fellow human beings, especially the poor and the most vulnerable, to share the common heritage of creation in a 鈥渟pirit of conviviality, not in competitive scramble but in joyful fellowship, supporting and protecting one another鈥�.  

The Jubilee is also a time to listen to the land, to hear the voice of creation and return to our rightful place in the natural created order, remembering that we are part of this interconnected web of life, not its masters. 

鈥淭he disintegration of biodiversity, spiralling climate disasters, and unjust impact of the current pandemic on the poor and vulnerable,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 says, are a 鈥渨akeup call in the face of our rampant greed and consumption鈥�.

A jubilee, the 杏MAP导航 says, is a time to set free the oppressed such as the indigenous people who face injustice and others who are subjected to various forms of modern slavery, such as trafficking in persons and child labour.

Debt cancellation

Stressing that the Jubilee is a time for 鈥渞estorative justice鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 renews his 鈥渃all for the cancellation of the debt of the most vulnerable countries, in recognition of the severe impacts of the medical, social and economic crises they face as a result of Covid-19鈥�. 

This also calls for ensuring that the recovery packages being developed and deployed at global, regional and national levels be regeneration packages.  Policy, legislation and investment must be focused on the common good and guarantee that global social and environmental goals are met.

Restoring the Earth

Alarmed by the climate emergency, the Pontiff warns that 鈥渨e are running out of time鈥�, and unless we take action it 鈥渨ill prove catastrophic, especially for poor communities around the world鈥�. He thus invites all nations to adopt more ambitious national targets to reduce emissions.

Lamenting the unprecedented loss of species and degradation of ecosystems, he urges for 鈥渞estoring the earth to be a home of life in abundance, as willed by the Creator鈥�.

Indigenous rights

The principle of 鈥渞estorative justice鈥�, the Holy Father continues, calls for restoring the right of indigenous communities to regain control of the usage of the land on which they have lived for generations. 

鈥淚ndigenous communities,鈥� he says, 鈥渕ust be protected from companies, particularly multinational companies, that 鈥榦perate in less developed countries in ways they could never do at home鈥�, through the destructive extraction of fossil fuels, minerals, timber and agroindustrial products.鈥�           

He denounces as a 鈥渘ew version of colonialism鈥� the corporate misconduct of shamefully exploiting poorer countries and communities that are desperately seeking economic development.

Joining hands

The 杏MAP导航 admits, 鈥淲e are aware that the cries of the earth and of the poor have become even louder and more painful in recent years.鈥�  Yet it is a reason for joy to witness how the Holy Spirit is bringing individuals and communities around the world together to rebuild our common home and defend the most vulnerable.  

Young people, communities and indigenous communities are on the frontlines in responding to the ecological crisis.  They are calling for a Jubilee for the earth and a new beginning, aware that 鈥渢hings can change鈥�.

The way the 鈥淟audato Si鈥� Special Anniversary Year鈥� is unfolding is another reason to rejoice.  The numerous initiatives at local and global levels for the care of our common home and the poor during the year, the 杏MAP导航 says, should lead to long-term action plans to practise integral ecology in our families, parishes and dioceses, religious orders, our schools and universities, our healthcare, business and agricultural institutions, and many others as well.

Faith communities are coming together to create a more just, peaceful and sustainable world, and the Season of Creation is becoming a truly ecumenical initiative. 

Please follow the link to read the full text of 杏MAP导航 Francis' "."