Each year from 1st September to 4th October, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. As the Ecumenical Steering Committee stated, “As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for creation. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth”.
Each year, the Steering Committee proposes a theme for the Season of Creation. The theme for 2023 is “Let Justice and Peace Flow” and the symbol is “A Mighty River”. Prophet Amos cries out “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a
never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24) and so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity.
On 1st September 2021, for the first time, Pope Francis, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Justin Welby, issued a joint appeal on the urgency of ecological integrity and sustainability. They said, “we call on everyone, whatever their belief or worldview, to endeavour to listen to the cry of the earth and of people who are poor, examining their behaviour and pledging meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the earth which God has given us”.
They and many other faith leaders continue to speak out and appeal for climate justice. In February of this year, speaking in the University of Notre Dame (USA), the Patriarch spoke about the importance of a united approach, saying, “This brings us to another critical dimension of climate change and COVID-19. It is what we call the ecumenical imperative of our response. We faith leaders are called humbly and patiently to cooperate with leaders in the scientific and academic worlds, as well as the corporate and political domains. This interconnectedness reminds us that the earth unites us beyond any doctrinal, social, or cultural differences. The power of ecumenical dialogue lies in opening up beyond ourselves and our own interests, beyond our confessions or religions. It means learning to speak the language of care and compassion. And creation care brings us divided, insulated believers before a common task that we must face together”.
On 30th March 2023, speaking to the House of Lords, Archbishop Welby spoke about the link between climate change and conflict: “Climate change is not in and of itself the driver of violent conflict; however, it is a significant force-multiplier, and violent conflict is the easiest way of preventing people from taking any action on climate change by making such action impossible.”
And on 30th August, Pope Francis made a similar link, emphasized our Christian common commitment and announced a 2nd Laudato Sì letter, saying, that on, “1st September, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation will be celebrated, inaugurating the “Season of Creation” which will last until October 4th, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. On that date I intend to publish an Exhortation, a second Laudato Si’. Let us join our Christian brothers and sisters in the commitment to safeguard creation as a sacred gift of the Creator. It is necessary to stand alongside the victims of environmental and climate injustice, striving to put an end to the senseless war on our common home. I urge everyone to work and pray so that it abounds with life again.”
Further information about Season of Creation is available here:
www.seasonofcreation.org
