Laudato Si' Action Plan 2023-24

We are people of hope moving towards ecological conversion which is a “transformation of hearts and minds towards greater love of God, each other and creation. It is a process of acknowledging our contribution to the social and ecological crisis and acting in ways that nurture communion: healing and renewing our common home”. (Laudato Si’ Movement).

 

Writing in his new apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (“Praise God”), released on the Oct. 4, 2023 feast of St. Francis of Assisi,  Pope Francis writes:   “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. In addition to this possibility, it is indubitable that the impact of climate change will increasingly prejudice the lives and families of many persons” (2).

Earthcare Organisation Poster

The path towards Ecological Conversion

Recording of the presentation held on 30/9/23
Presenter: Sue Martin,  Being with God in Nature Ministry Coordinator,  Care for our Common Home Officer for the Australian Jesuit Province,  Ecojesuit Team Member

Watch the video here

Ecological Footprint?

How many planets do we need if everybody lives like you?

When is your personal Overshoot Day?

Take the First Step and Calculate your Footprint

Catholic Earthcare Certificate

Earthcare Certificate- Level 3

7 goals of Laudato Si'

Goal 1 - Cry of the Earth

“What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come before us, to children who are now growing up.”    (Laudato Si’ 160)

  • Presentation of Laudato Si’ film “The Letter.” 
  • Continue acting on ecological justice issues, (emphasising spiritual, social and economic crisis leading to enviro devastation) through national presentations, the website, Annotations.

Goal 2 - Cry of the Poor

“When we fail to acknowledge as part of reality the worth of a poor person… it becomes difficult to hear the cry of nature itself; everything is connected.”  (Laudato Si’ 117)

Goal 3 - Ecological Economics

“Purchasing is always a moral – and not simply economic – act”.  (Laudato Si’ 206)

  • Write to the four big banks and question their ethical and moral stance on investment in new fossil fuels projects.
  • Determine if our banking profile is exposed to fossil fuel investment. 

Goal 4 - Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles

“If we can overcome individualism, we will truly be able to develop a different lifestyle and bring about significant changes in society.  An awareness of the gravity of today’s cultural and ecological crisis must be translated into new habits.”    (Laudato Si’ 208-209)

  • Provide  Our Common Home Resource for ideas about taking action.
  • Promote other tips and resources from external partners, Catholic Earthcare, Geelong Sustainability, Australian Conservation Foundation and Clean Up Australia, through CLC communications.

Goal 5 - Ecological Education

“Many things have to change course, but it is we human beings above all who need to change.”   (Laudato Si’ 202)

  • Continue education about ecological justice issues including integral ecology during Laudato Si’ Week in May and Season of Creation in September, through presentations, the CLC website, social media, Annotations and members’ communications.

Goal 6 - Ecological Spirituality

“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”   (Laudato Si’  217)

  • Provide 4 Laudato Si’ reflections/meeting plans in April 2023 in a practical way to mark 2023 LSi Week May 16-24 in Australia – theme ‘Hope for the Earth, Hope for Humanity’.
  •  Provide Laudato Si’ information regularly in Annotations.

Goal 7 - Community Resilience and Empowerment

“Bring the whole human family together… for we know that things can change” (Laudato Si’ 13)

  • Support ARRCC (Australian Religious Response to Climate Change) advocacy in the lead up to COP 28 (UN Climate Change Conference) in Dubai, November/December 2023.