This week marks the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical – Laudato Si’. The degradation of our Common Home, aggravated by the current global pandemic, has had a disproportionate impact on everyone, especially on those who already face disadvantage, marginalisation and multiple forms of vulnerability. On 24 May, Caritas Plymouth and CAFOD Plymouth organised an online event to reflect on our Diocesan environmental policy and how we are all called to be stewards of God’s creation. The event was lead by Canon John Deeny and facilitated by James Trewby, Columban Justice and Peace education worker who invited participants to reflect on where we hear the cry of the Earth and what action we can take to care for our common home.
The event shared examples of how people are responding to the climate crisis in the UK and overseas: how people across the world are affected by climate change and what action they are taking. We heard Fr Jonathan Stewart talking about the impact of becoming a Live Simply parish and the ways in which we can all make a difference. We reflected on upcoming opportunities to take action including working with Caritas Plymouth to host environment events in schools and parishes in Autumn 2022 to mark the Season of Creation and supporting CAFOD’s campaign to Fix the Food System. If your parish or school would like to apply for funding to run events focusing on climate change please contact caritas@prcdtr.org.uk
We were inspired in our discussions by Pope Francis’ video message for Laudato Si week and by the Prayer For Our Earth (Laudato Si)
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
Thanks to the National Lottery Communities Fund for their support for this project.
