Newsletter 14: 12 October 2021
Dear Colleagues,
On 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, along with 40 other faith leaders, signed a letter urging world leaders attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow occurring from 31 October to 12 November, “to safeguard, restore, and heal our wounded humanity and the home entrusted to our stewardship.”1
The Pope wrote about the conference,
“COP26 in Glasgow represents an urgent summons to provide effective responses to the unprecedented ecological crisis and the crisis of values that we are presently experiencing, and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations”2
Throughout his papacy Pope Francis has consistently challenged all people to consider how we are living our lives and the effect this is having on our world. Laudato Si – On Care of our Common Home (2015) and Fratelli Tutti – Brothers and Sisters All (2020) provide reflection and guidance on these fundamental questions for humankind.
The recently released Australian Bishops 2021-22 Social Justice Statement, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor3, echoes Pope Francis’ call, and challenges all Australians, especially Australian Catholics, to hear these cries and pledge a commitment to growing awareness for action and change. The bishops are encouraging individuals and institutions, including parishes and schools, to sign up to the Laudato Si Platform joining a global movement of action at the grass roots level.
Marist Schools Australia has joined the Laudato Si Platform. All Marist schools are encouraged to do likewise and consider how this program aligns with their own ecological goals and commitment to caring for our common home. Details can be found at www.laudatosiactionplatform.org
Last week the Australian Church undertook The First General Assembly of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, involving 280 people from Dioceses, religious congregations, eparchies, and other church ministries across the country. The Plenary Council is a focal point for the Church in Australia, in prayerfully discerning directions for the future. The Second General Assembly is scheduled for July 2022. As Marists, let us continue to pray for the participants in a spirit of gratitude and hope.
In this Newsletter you will see an invitation from Catholic Religious Australia, of which the Provincial Brother Peter Carroll fms is the current President, to a National Webinar with the American Jesuit, Father James Martin SJ on Tuesday 26 October 2021. Father James is the editor at large of America, and a consultor to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication. Father James has authored many books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Jesuit Guide, Jesus: A Pilgrimage, and Learning to Pray. In 2019, he had a private audience with Pope Francis to discuss his ministry to LGBTQIA+ people. The Webinar is titled “Building Bridges: Reaching out to our LGBTQIA+ Community”. Catholic Religious Australia is offering this important opportunity for listening, reflection, and dialogue free of charge.
1 https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/10/04/francis-faith-leaders-climate-change-cop26-241554
2. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/vatican-hopes-its-pre-cop26-climate-event-will-raise-stakes-glasgow-2021-10-03/
3. https://justiceandpeace.org.au/home/resources/catholic-social-teaching/cry-of-the-earth-cry-of-the-poor-2021-22-social-justice-statement/