Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Against the background of climate crisis which is comprehensively elaborated by Pope Francis in his 2015 Encyclical letter On Care for Our Common Home Laudato Si, the Holy Father has sent a video invitation calling for Laudato Si’ week to take place from May 16 to 24.
“I renew my urgent call to respond to the ecological crisis, the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor cannot continue,” Pope Francis said in a video clip released Tuesday, March 3, which has been widely shared.
Reflecting on the effects of climate crisis Pope Francis poses the same question, “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who will come after us, to children who are growing up?
He then adds, “Let's take care of creation, a gift of our good Creator God. Let's celebrate Laudato Si' Week together.”
The week-long reflection on care for creation which also marks the fifth anniversary of the Encyclical letter “Laudato Si’, appeals for radical commitment and active participation in various activities as explained on Laudato Si’ week website.
“Commit to an ambitious action that grows your response to “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor,” reads the appeal.
Apart from a list of suggested activities, the website also provides online trainings, toolkit and promotional materials as resources useful for the week.
The Laudato Si’Week campaign, is sponsored by the Dicastery for Integral Human Development and facilitated by The Global Catholic Climate Movement and Renova +.