Caring for our Common Home

"Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start" Laudato Si'

The release of the Pope’s Encyclical brought much excitement and hope to environmentalists the world over. SAFCEI, with many others, added its voice to the encyclical by supporting its message.

The encyclical is a letter written by the Pope addressed to all Catholic people as well as people of good will, i.e. non-Catholics who are interested in his message. Drawing on the Gospel and traditions of the church, the Papal encyclical provides analysis on issues that are of relevance to the faithful. From the 1890’s onwards the encyclical has drawn attention to social problems, as Pope Francis’ encyclical today.

Pope Francis’s Encyclical on the environment, titled "Laudato Si: On the Care for our Common Home" is an unprecedented universal call to all for action on climate change. The Pope has made it clear that climate action is an act of faith, a moral duty that we all share.

His letter to 5000 bishops and 1.2 billion Catholics around the world speaks to all "people of good will". Climate change impacts all of us, especially the poor and vulnerable. We need urgent transformation to prevent this catastrophe, a revolution of hearts and minds, in which we stand up together as people of faith for what's right.

"We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and being good and decent are worth it."

Pope Francis is joining a growing chorus of faith leaders and communities speaking out for justice and recognising the real threat of climate change on the future of our common home. Ask the faith leaders in your community to stand in solidarity with them and speak out on this moral issue. Let our voices of faith put pressure on government leaders meeting at climate talks in Paris later this year to set a climate agreement and make the necessary economic and ethical shift.

On Sunday 28th June, through the OurVoices campaign, thousands of people marched to St. Peter’s Square with the message that we are One Earth, One Human Family.

In solidarity with the march in Rome, at 12 noon local time, people around the world rang out a chorus of support for the Encyclical by ringing bells and gongs, sounding Shofars, singing and dancing. All to show the world that the time to act is now, and there is hope.

As people of faith, this is our time to stand together to make an impact and to call on our leaders to make the right decisions when it comes to our Common Home.

"A prayer for our earth

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 in our struggle for justice, love and peace."