Season of Creation Begins
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The month-long Season of Creation began on September 1. From Cape Town to Caserta, ecumenical action on environmental protection is flowering during the Season of Creation. Events inspired by the season have been covered in dozens of news outlets worldwide, such as The Economist, Vatican News, Crux, and Christian Today.
In just its first few days, the Season of Creation has been celebrated with a wide range of deeply meaningful actions.
Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew Issued a Joint Statement
Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew issued a joint message in occasion of the World Day of Prayer for Creation. This is the first shared statement from the heads of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches on the subject of environmental protection. Their message movingly describes why caring for creation is part of our Christian tradition, and why action is urgently needed now. It follows a declaration on clean energy signed by Cardinal Peter Turkson and other faith leaders, issued the day before.
Cardinal Tagle Led a Mass for Thousands
In Manila, five thousand people gathered at 4:30 AM for a “Walk for Creation” and mass led by Cardinal Tagle in Luneta Park. In his homily, the cardinal called for a “culture of true caring, of true responsibility for the creation of the true God.”
An Online Prayer Service Brought Leaders and Faithful Together
Bill McKibben and global Christian leaders led a prayer service for the Day of Prayer for Creation. Together with participants from around the world, they prayed for protection of the Earth we share and the vulnerable people who suffer most from its misuse.
Bishop Sorrentino Prayed and Acted in Assisi
In Assisi, H.E. Mons. Domenico Sorrentino, Bishop of the Diocese of Assisi, Nocera Umbra and Gualdo Tadino, collaborated with clergy from the Anglican, Orthodox Romanian, and Waldensian-Methodist churches to hold a prayer service at the Tomb of St. Francis. The following day, clergy and a group of the faithful symbolically recreated St. Francis’ famous act of taking on the clothes of poverty by taking the dressings from a war horse and rededicating it to a life of service on the Assisi-Gubbio pilgrimage.
Fr. Amaubosi Led Mass and Educational Event in Nigeria
In Oyigbo, Nigeria, Fr. Chris Amabosi and priests led a creation mass at the Chapel of Immaculate Conception. The mass was followed by an educational event on climate change.
Church of South India Signed “Green Covenant”
The Church of South India organized an hour of prayer for Creation, and convened clergy from the Catholic and Orthodox churches to sign a “green covenant” pledging to prayerfully protect the Earth.
Cape Town Leaders United in Prayer
Catholic, Anglican, and First Nation clergy in Cape Town united in an outdoor prayer service to reflect on Laudato Si’ and commit to action.
Global Commitment to Action
Thousands of people around the world will participate in hundreds of events to celebrate and protect Creation. They range from simple prayer services with family and friends to symbolic actions that engage a wide audience. During the Season of Creation, the family of the faithful is standing together to protect our common home.
The Season of Creation runs from September 1, the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation, through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis. Much more action is expected in the coming days and weeks, including a symbolic blessing of Amazonian water by Pope Francis in his visit to the Colombian Amazon (Sept 8) and a joint divestment announcement by many Christian organizations (Oct 4).
This global effort is facilitated by the Global Catholic Climate Movement, the World Council of Churches, the Popes Worldwide Prayer Network, the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, and a network of ecumenical partners. More information is available on the Season of Creation website. Will you join this global celebration?
