St. Joan of Arc
Creation Care Ministry
Laudate Deum
“I ask everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world
that is our home and to help make it more beautiful…”
Pope Francis, Laudate Deum # 69
On October 4th, Pope Francis published an apostolic exhortation called Laudate Deum (Praise God in Latin) and addressed it “To all People of Good Will on the Climate Crisis”. It provides a complement and update to his encyclical Laudato Si’.
The Pope is extremely concerned about our response to the climate emergency and explains, “Eight years have passed since I published the Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, when I wanted to share with all of you, my brothers and sisters of our suffering planet, my heartfelt concerns about the care of our common home. Yet, with the passage of time, I have realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.”
Laudate Deum begins with an overview of the latest climate science, damages and risks and explores some of the underlying roots. It then outlines some weaknesses of international politics as well as some progress and failures at the UN climate conferences. Pope Francis appeals for a change in direction at the upcoming UN climate summit (COP28), to be held in Dubai from Nov. 30 – Dec. 12, 2023. While recognizing that the most effective solutions come from national and international political decisions, the Pope asks “everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home”. By changing personal, family and community habits we help to bring about cultural change and transformation.
Pope Francis is about to become the first pope to attend a U.N. climate summit. He will travel to the United Arab Emirates from December 1 – 3, where he will deliver a speech to world leaders at COP28, hold private bilateral meetings, and inaugurate the "Faith Pavilion".
Creation Care Ministry offers some suggestions for reflection and action:
Read Laudate Deum online and reflect further with helpful resources and suggested actions at this website https://laudatedeum.church/ which includes key quotations, key points, frequently asked questions as well as how to encourage government action. Catholic Climate Covenant, a U.S. nonprofit set up with the support of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, also has articles, videos, prayers and other Laudate Deum resources available on its website.
Watch the recording of the October 4th launch webinar Presentation of the Apostolic Exhortation: "Laudate Deum", facilitated by Laudato Si’ Movement. It includes a message from Cardinal Michael Czerny who calls Laudate Deum “an urgent appeal to all of us… to join forces against the climate crisis”.
Join forces with For the Love of Creation, a Canadian faith-based initiative for climate justice. They are inviting participation in their campaign leading up to and during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), and which includes Candles for COP Vigils for Climate Justice December 8-10 as well as the Road to COP Webinar Series. More information and registration as well as webinar recordings are available on their website. There are the webinars in the series:
Churches’ Advocacy on Loss and Damage – Tues., November 14 at 7:30 pm ET
Climate Anxiety – Thurs., November 30 at 1:00 pm ET
Revive 1.5 and Laudate Deum – Tues., December 5 at 6:30 pm ET
Ways to continue caring for creation and join with others to act together:
52 ways to care for creation: Find one or more new ways to pray and take action for God’s creation from this list by Laudato Si’ Movement;
Learn about and consider endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty: In July 2022 Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., head of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, endorsed it. Later that year religious leaders presented a multi-faith letter calling on governments to develop and implement a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Over 400 faith institutions, 8 countries, many cities (including Toronto), Nobel Laureates, civil society organisations, health institutions, scientists and others around the world have endorsed this civil society initiative.
Sign up for newsletters to stay connected with faith-based organizations working on climate and ecological justice. This is a great way to learn more and receive updates on events, resources and actions. Possible organizations include For the Love of Creation, Laudato Si’ Movement and the Canadian chapter of Laudato Si’ Movement;
St. Joan of Arc parishioners—consider joining Creation Care Ministry: New members are welcome! If interested, send us an email at creationcare1701@gmail.com.
