As the Season of Creation 2024 begins, we are called to reflect on our relationship with the Earth, our common home. This annual celebration, running from September 1st to October 4th, invites people of faith worldwide to engage in prayer, reflection, and action for the environment. This year in Northern Ireland, there is a particular emphasis on interfaith cooperation, highlighting the urgent need for all faiths to “join the dots together” in the fight against climate change and ecological degradation.
In Belfast, a series of events will bring together voices from across different faith traditions to mark the International Day of Peace on September 21st. These events will feature prominent speakers, including Martin Palmer of FaithInvest and Raja Harun who will speak about Al Mizan, a Muslim document that explains environmental stewardship in alignment with Islamic teachings.
A Unified Call for Ecological Stewardship
Religious leaders across the globe have spoken out on the need for urgent environmental action. In his message for 1st September, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Francis, said, “To hope and act with creation, then, means above all to join forces and to walk together with all men and women of good will. In this way, we can help to rethink, “among other things, the question of human power, its meaning and its limits. Our power has frenetically increased in a few decades. We have made impressive and awesome technological advances, yet we have not realized that at the same time we have turned into highly dangerous beings, capable of threatening the lives of many beings and our own survival” (Laudate Deum, 28). Unchecked power creates monsters and then turns against us.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, known as the “Green Patriarch,” has been a leading advocate for ecological awareness in the Christian world. He has consistently emphasized that environmental harm is a sin against God’s creation. In his opening message for this year’s Season of Creation, he said: “The ecological crisis is a matter of faith, not simply a political or technical issue .. as such, it demands a spiritual response that includes repentance, prayer, and communal action. The environmental threat is a dimension of the extended crisis in contemporary civilization. In this sense, confronting the problem cannot be successful on the basis of the principles of the same civilization, of the rationale behind it, which created it in the first place.”
Similarly, Archbishop Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, has highlighted the moral responsibility of Christians to address the climate crisis. In his message to the Abu Dhabi climate summit (2023), he said, “There is much more to be done, domestically and internationally. From commitment to phasing out fossil fuels and developing technology that can deliver clean energy, to delivering on the 100$ billion climate finance promised, and agreeing on a Loss and Damage Fund.”
Voices from Other Faiths: Al Mizan’s Call to Action
The Al Mizan document, representing a Muslim perspective on environmental stewardship, has also called for urgent action to address the ecological crisis. It draws on the teachings of Islam, which emphasize the sacred duty to protect and preserve the environment. It states, “What is at stake now is far greater than the freedom to practice faith, or defend one’s property or even one’s life, for the gravity of the looming environmental crisis may eclipse all other crises in human history”.
Join the Dots Together: Interfaith Events in Belfast
This year’s Season of Creation will feature a series of events in Belfast under the banner “Join the Dots Together.” These events aim to bring together people from different faith traditions to reflect on their shared responsibility to care for the Earth and to take collective action.
The events include:
Thursday 19th September, 9.30- 17.00
Conference: “Peace, Justice, and Care for the Earth”
Location: Corrymeela Centre, Ballycastle
For more info and to register go to: www.corrymeela.org/events
Friday 20th September, 10-13.00
“Our Voices Matter” – Youth and Politicians Forum
Participation by invitation
Friday 20th September, 19.30-21.00
“Land and Lough” Forum
Location: Glengormley Methodist Church, Ballyclare Rd, Glengormley, Newtownabbey BT36 5HQ
Speakers: Martin Palmer from FaithInvest and John McLenaghan, Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, moderated by Louise Cullen, BBC Agriculture and Environment Correspondent
For more info and to book, contact: info@jointhedotstogether.org
Saturday 21st September, 10:00 – 13.00
Multi-Faith Conference, “Faiths Together for Climate Justice and Peace”
Location: Belfast South Methodist Church & Agape Centre, 236-266 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 6GF
Speakers: Martin Palmer, Raja Harun, Xavier Benaze, Louise Taylor
For more info and to book, contact: info@jointhedotstogether.org
Saturday, 21st September 19.30
“A Celebration of Difference”,
Location: St. Anne’s Cathedral, Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2HB
Hosted by: Corrymeela Programme for Public Theology and Beyond Skin
For more info contact: jonnyclark@corrymeela.org
These events are designed to inspire and empower participants to recognize the interconnectedness of all life and to take action in their own communities to protect our common home.
How You Can Get Involved
- Participate in Local Events: Whether you are in Belfast or another part of the world, consider joining a local event to mark the Season of Creation. Check with your local faith communities or environmental organizations for activities near you.
- Pray and Reflect: Use this time to engage in prayer and reflection about your relationship with the Earth and your role in protecting it. There are many resources available from different faith traditions to guide your prayers and reflections (www.seasonofcreation.org).
- Advocate for Change: Follow the example set by faith leaders and advocate for policies that address climate change and environmental justice. Write to your local representatives, support sustainable initiatives, and speak out on behalf of the environment.
- Adopt Sustainable Practices: Reflect on your own lifestyle and make changes where possible to reduce your environmental footprint. Simple actions like reducing waste, conserving water, and supporting local, sustainable businesses can make a big difference.
A Call to Hope and Action
As we prepare to celebrate the Season of Creation 2024, we are reminded that caring for our common home is a shared responsibility that transcends religious and cultural boundaries. This year, let’s “join the dots together”, across faiths, communities, and nations, to protect our planet and ensure a sustainable and just future for all.
Join us in Belfast or wherever you are, and let’s make this Season of Creation a powerful testament to our commitment to love, care, and act for our Earth, our shared home.
www.jointhedotstogether.org
