Social Justice

On the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, 4th October 2023, Pope Francis released Laudate Deum, an addendum to his 2015 Papal Encyclical Laudato Si’. This new Apostolic Exhortation is a message ‘to all people of goodwill’ on the climate crisis.

What does Laudate Deum mean?

Laudate Deum translates to ‘Praise God.’ In the opening lines of Laudate Deum we are reminded of St Francis of Assisi who praised God for all his creatures. Likewise, Laudato Si’ was inspired by the words of St Francis of Assisi and his Canticle of Creatures.

What are the key messages in Laudate Deum?

Laudate Deum is split into 6 chapters:

The global climate crisis – where Pope Francis outlines the learnings from the latest IPCC reports.
The growing technocratic paradigm – where we are reminded of the human causes of climate change and the issues around technology and economics.
The weakness of international politics – in which Pope Francis calls out the current multilateralism paradigm and calls for a politics based on subsidiarity.
Climate conferences: progress and failures – the history of the past Climate COPs is scrutinised for their inadequacy to create real change.
What to expect from COP28 in Dubai? – where Pope Francis calls for action to be drastic, intense and a commitment of all (LD 59). The focus that Pope Francis wants to see is on the necessary transition away from a fossil fueled world to the widespread use of clean and renewable energies.
Spiritual motivations – where we are reminded that as people of faith we can all play our part in caring for our common home.

Why did Pope Francis write a ‘sequel’ to Laudato Si’?

This addendum to Laudato Si’ appears to focus primarily on the climate crisis, and the urgency for action at COP28. Laudate Deum cannot be read without first engaging with Laudato Si’ to understand its position within the greater magisterium and connection to the greater ecological crises. Pope Francis sees this current point in time as so important to the future of humanity that an exhortation is necessary to inspire action.

What are some of the key quotes from Laudate Deum?

“I have realised that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.” LD 2

“Despite all attempts to deny, conceal, gloss over or relativize the issue, the signs of climate change are here and increasingly evident.” LD 5

“It is no longer possible to doubt the human – “anthropic” – origin of climate change.” LD 11

“To say that there is nothing to hope for would be suicidal, for it would mean exposing all humanity, especially the poorest, to the worst impacts of climate change.” LD 53

“I cannot deny that it is necessary to be honest and recognise that the most effective solutions will not come from the individual efforts alone, but above all from major political decisions on the national and international level.” LD 69

“Efforts by households to reduce pollution and waste, and to consume with prudence, are creating a new culture.” LD 71

What is Laudate Deum calling us to do?

For international politicians, the call from Laudate Deum is clear – at COP 28, all efforts must be put towards policy that ceases the extraction of fossil fuels and at the same time facilitates the just transition to an economy based on renewable energies. This endeavour requires courage to break through the economic interests of the fossil fuel extractors.

At COP27 Caritas Oceania and Jubilee Australia Research Centre presented ‘Twin clouds on the horizon: climate change and debt in the Pacific’. It was the first report to look in detail at debt, climate change and their combined impacts on the Pacific region. Caritas Australia will also be attending COP28 later this year.

source: Caritas Australia

for more information go to https://www.caritas.org.au/news/latest-news/explainer-laudate-deum-and-the-call-for-urgent-climate-action/

The Goal of the Frenchs Forest Catholic Parish

Social Justice Group is:

Our parish community living and working towards a just, peaceful and sustainable world.

To achieve this goal we undertake:

Support for marginalized groups
Education
Information sharing
Advocacy
Support for research
Growing links with others in the Church and the wider community
Action for Social and Ecological Justice
Contribution to the liturgical and prayer life of the parish

The Frenchs Forest Social Justice Groups meets on the second Monday of each month at 7.30 pm at one of the three parish churches.

All are welcome.

If you would like to receive news of events or activities of the group, please contact Anne Lanyon: annelanyon@gmail.com

NEW SJ PPT 2021_AH

Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor

The Bishops’ Social Justice Statement 2021-22: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor,

affirms that “we human beings need a change of heart, mind, and behaviour”. It draws from Scripture, from the theological tradition, from Catholic Social Teaching, and from the wisdom of the world, including the insights of the First Nations.

The Social Justice Statement 2021-22 provides theological foundations to ground and inspire efforts to care for creation while responding to the needs of the disadvantaged and excluded. The Statement reflects on creation in and through the Trinity; the sacramentality of all created things; the wonder and beauty available to the contemplative eye; and the need for conversion and change of life.

In the Statement, the Bishops invite the whole Catholic community to join them in taking up Pope Francis’ invitation to a seven-year journey towards total ecological sustainability, guided by seven Laudato Si’ Goals. These Goals are: response to the cry of the earth; response to the cry of the poor; ecological economics; sustainable lifestyles; ecological spirituality; ecological education; and community engagement and participatory action.

The Statement especially encourages Catholic families, communities and organisations to: listen to the First Nations; reflect on the theological foundations offered in Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor; and plan their next steps towards the Laudato Si’ Goals.

Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor will be a useful resource throughout our seven-year journey to total sustainability. Your help in promoting it through your networks would be greatly appreciated.

Season of Creation

Season of Creation Convocation Hub - August 16, 2024

The SEASON OF CREATION CONVOCATION is a National Event over 3 days from Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th September.

The first 2 days are online workshops and presentations.

Read about the presenters-program at www.caritas.org.au/soc-convocation .

Please Note: REGISTRATIONS FOR DAYS 1 & 2 Close Mon 9th Sept. Cost per day for

Days 1 & 2 is $25. Bookings for Day1 and 2 are available here but for Day3 at Broken Bay Hub please register with link below.
Day3 Saturday 14th is either online or at each Diocesan Hub around Australia.
Day 3 For Broken Bay Diocese takes place at Frenchs Forest Catholic Parish
Frenchs Forest Catholic Parish is honoured to be the hub at St Anthony in the Fields, Terrey Hills.
Arrive by 10am. Finish 3.30pm. So Vote early or do pre-poll voting.
This day is free (donations to help with costs appreciated). BYO lunch to share, keep cup and water bottle.
The special guest presenter for Day 3 is Fr Frank Brennan.
Our parishioners will be invited to help plan our parish Laudato Si Action Plan.

See the Day 3 program and Register now for DAY 3 at Broken Bay Hub at www.trybooking.com/CUMUZ.

What is the Season of Creation?

It is a summons to base our spirituality on the “loving awareness that we are not disconnected from the rest of creatures, but joined in a splendid universal communion” (ibid., 220). For the followers of Christ in particular, this luminous experience reinforces our awareness that “all things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being” (Jn 1:3). In this Season of Creation, we pray once more in the great cathedral of creation, and revel in the “grandiose cosmic choir” made up of countless creatures, all singing the praises of God. Let us join Saint Francis of Assisi in singing: “Praise be to you, my Lord, for all your creatures” (cf. Canticle of Brother Sun). Let us join the psalmist in singing, “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!” (Ps 150:6).

“Listen to the voice of creation” is the theme and invitation of this year’s Season of Creation. The ecumenical phase begins on 1 September with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and concludes on 4 October with the feast of Saint Francis. It is a special time for all Christians to pray and work together to care for our common home. Originally inspired by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, this Season is an opportunity to cultivate our “ecological conversion”, a conversion encouraged by Saint John Paul II as a response to the “ecological catastrophe” predicted by Saint Paul VI back in 1970.

If we learn how to listen, we can hear in the voice of creation a kind of dissonance. On the one hand, we can hear a sweet song in praise of our beloved Creator; on the other, an anguished plea, lamenting our mistreatment of this our common home.

The sweet song of creation invites us to practice an “ecological spirituality” (Laudato Si’, 216), attentive to God’s presence in the natural world. It is a summons to base our spirituality on the “loving awareness that we are not disconnected from the rest of creatures, but joined in a splendid universal communion” (ibid., 220). For the followers of Christ in particular, this luminous experience reinforces our awareness that “all things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being” (Jn 1:3). In this Season of Creation, we pray once more in the great cathedral of creation, and revel in the “grandiose cosmic choir” made up of countless creatures, all singing the praises of God. Let us join Saint Francis of Assisi in singing: “Praise be to you, my Lord, for all your creatures” (cf. Canticle of Brother Sun). Let us join the psalmist in singing, “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!” (Ps 150:6).

Pope Francis’ Message

The sweet song of creation invites us to practise an “ecological spirituality” (Laudato Si’, 216), attentive to God’s presence in the natural world.

Read Pope Francis’ whole message https://seasonofcreation.org/2022/07/21/message-of-his-holiness-pope-francis-for-the-celebration-of-the-world-day-of-prayer-for-the-care-of-creation/