Care of Creation

The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is celebrated every year on 1 September which is running its 13th edition this year. The initiative started among the Orthodox Churches to which other Christian Churches adhered in their commitment to rediscover ecumenical cooperation in the care of creation. In 2015, also the Catholic Church joined the call to all of mankind to take up their responsibility towards creation and the safeguard of the lives of all the peoples of the earth.
In 2017, in a gesture to seal this common commitment,

Pope Francis and the ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople signed a document which states among other things, that: “ the human and natural environments are deteriorating together, and this degradation of the planet weighs on the more vulnerable people. The impact of climate change affects, above all, those living in poverty in every corner of the globe. Our duty to use the assets of the earth responsibly implies the recognition and respect of every person and all the living creatures. The urgent call and challenge to take care of creation is an invitation to all of humanity to work for a sustainable and integral development. […] We are convinced that there cannot be a genuine and long-lasting solution to the challenge of ecological crises and climate changes without a united and collective response, and without a shared responsibility that can give an account of the actions taken, giving priority to solidarity and services.”