By Mr. Jim Thompson
An Invitation to Care for the Earth
Recently in our pastoral area we were presented with a card inviting each of us to get involved in the mission of the Church and our parish in particular. There were many suggested ways in which we could play our part. For example, as church cleaner/member of
the Altar Society, as reader, as Eucharistic minister, or by becoming part of the visitation team, among other possibilities. The one that struck me was an invitation to take part in the Care of the Earth group.
Laudato Si’
Eight years ago Pope Francis wrote an Encyclical Laudato Si - ‘On Care for Our Common Home’. This was inspired by the Canticle of St Francis and his love for all creation. The encyclical was launched in Ireland by many events. I attended along with over 500 people a
day-long event in the Dolmen Hotel in Carlow. The Bishops of Ossory and Kildare were present, and an apology and a supportive letter were received from the Bishop of Ferns.
What a community celebration, full of hope, joy and guidance for action. The amazing liturgy was ecumenical and inclusive of Christians and all our brothers and sisters who share
our common home. Inspired by the day’s event, action was to take place in all our parishes.
The Situation Today
Eight years later on the Feast of St Francis 4th October 2023 Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Exhortation to All People of Good Will on the Climate Crisis. In the Exhortation, Pope
Francis calls attention to the fact that in the last eight years the climate crisis has got worse and our response has been inadequate: “The world we live in is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point”. (2) He cites evidence from numerous scientific and other
academic sources as sources for the deteriorating situation with regard to the climate. He draws attention to the “human origins” and “structural sin” underpinning the crisis. (11, 3)
Pope Francis reiterates that we are all connected to each other and to the rest of nature: “everything is connected”. He reminds how the recent pandemic showed clearly the closeness between human beings and the rest of creation: “the Covid 19 pandemic brought out the close relation of human life with that of other living beings and with the natural environment.” (19)
He points out that “...every family ought to realize that the future of their children is at stake.” (58)
COP 28, Dubai, 30 November- 12 December 2023 (Conference of the Parties of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
Pope Francis gives details of the international efforts made so far to address this crisis. One hundred and ninety countries come together to address the crisis. These efforts have been
taking place over decades, but change is not progressing at anything like the necessary speed. There have been many failures and some success: “the accords have been poorly implemented” (52) Many deadlines have not been met. For example, COP in Kyoto (1997)
set the goal of reducing overall greenhouse emissions by 5 per cent by 2012 “but this, clearly, was not achieved.” (44) These failures are largely due to economic interests and national interests being placed above the global common good. The 2023 conference will take place in Dubai, a country of the Persian Gulf known for its great export of fossil fuel. This appears to give little room for hope. But Pope Francis stresses the need for hope: “To say there is
nothing to hope for would be suicidal, for it would mean exposing all humanity, especially the poorest, to the worst impacts of climate change.” (53) COP 28 could bring about a change of direction, he tells us. It could build on everything that has been achieved since
1992, or it could be a major disappointment, endangering progress already made. (54)
Spiritual Motivation
Pope Francis ends his Exhortation by encouraging Catholics and those of other religions to reflect on how faith transforms and enlightens our relationship to all creation. He draws our
attention to the divine presence in nature. He refers to how Jesus admires God’s “radiant presence” in flowers and birds. He reminds us of this, quoting Laudato Si’: “...there is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a mountain trail, in a dewdrop, in a poor person’s
face.” (65) God’s real presence is not limited to the churches and the tabernacle but is to be found in all of creation. Francis’s Exhortation is a call for action. The word ‘exhort’ is defined as “to strongly encourage someone to do something.” The exhortation of the prophet Micah is in response to the question: What does the Lord require of me? He wants us to act justly, to be filled with kindness, and to walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
Call to Pilgrimage and Action
Pope Francis’s Exhortation is addressed to us all. He invites us to join him on a pilgrimage of reconciliation with all creation, “with the world that is our home and to help to make it more beautiful.” (69) He encourages us to do something, no matter how small. “Every little bit helps...” He is calling for cultural changes, but reminds us that this only happens when individuals change: “no cultural change can take place without personal change.” (70) We can take action individually, and we can also take action collectively. Action is needed in relation to areas such as pollution and waste, and the ways in which we consume the earth’s resources. In this way, although effects might not be immediately perceived, significant and
fundamental change will happen: “we are helping to bring about large processes of transformation rising from deep within society.” (71)
Parish and Pastoral Area
So what can we do in our parish and pastoral area? We could respond to the invitation to care for the earth. It is one of our most important and urgent missions. A ‘care for the earth’
group could be a constant resource and inspiration. The Bishops of Ireland have already given leadership by asking all parishes to set aside 30 percent of their land for rewilding and other environmental projects to support biodiversity: “In response to Pope Francis’ 2015
encyclical letter, Laudato Si’, and the impending loss of nature, the bishops are asking “parishes, through their parish pastoral councils and diocesan trusts, as a first step, to identify and care for
30 per cent of parish grounds as a haven for pollinators and biodiversity”, so it can be enjoyed in perpetuity by “the whole community”.” (The Irish Times, Friday March 10 2023). A ‘care
for the earth’ group could address this first step. It could also identify and make links with existing community and church based groups with similar interests.
A Parable for Today
After finishing this reflection I took my customary walk along the Slaney footpath. I stopped to let an elderly woman take a photo of two swans on the grassy bank. She obviously admired
their beauty. She then drew my attention to the height of the water in the river which was very close to overflowing. She said that sadly her apartment was just there beside the river and that she was worried. I could not have asked for a greater parable on global climate change and the beauty of the world that surrounds us.