UCA News
Contribute

Vatican announces Laudato Si' anniversary year

Pope's encyclical to be commemorated with a series of environmental projects
Vatican announces Laudato Si' anniversary year

The unspoilt beauty of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. (Photo: Unsplash)

Published: May 19, 2020 08:28 AM GMT
Updated: May 19, 2020 08:29 AM GMT

The Vatican will commemorate the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment with a yearlong series of initiatives dedicated to the safeguarding and care for the Earth.

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development announced a "Special Laudato Si' Anniversary Year" from May 24, 2020, to May 24, 2021, which will emphasize "ecological conversion in action."

As the world continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the dicastery said, the encyclical's message is "just as prophetic today as it was in 2015."

"Truly, Covid-19 has made clear how deeply we are all interconnected and interdependent. As we begin to envision a post-Covid world, we need above all an integral approach as everything is closely interrelated and today's problems call for a vision capable of taking into account every aspect of the global crisis," the statement said.

Among the events set to take place throughout the year are prayer services and webinars dedicated to environmental care, education and the economy. The dicastery also detailed the rollout of a "seven-year journey toward integral ecology" for families, dioceses, schools, universities, hospitals, businesses, farms and religious orders.

The dicastery said that amid the current pandemic Laudato Si’ can "indeed provide the moral and spiritual compass for the journey to create a more caring, fraternal, peaceful and sustainable world."

"We have, in fact, a unique opportunity to transform the present groaning and travail into the birth pangs of a new way of living together, bonded together in love, compassion and solidarity and a more harmonious relationship with the natural world, our common home," the statement said.

"As Pope Francis reminds us," it said, "'all of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.'"

Recalling the fifth anniversary of his encyclical after reciting the Regina Coeli prayer on May 17, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the message of Laudato Si' will encourage people to take upon themselves the shared responsibility of caring for the earth.

"In these times of pandemic, in which we are more aware of the importance of caring for our common home, I hope that all our common reflection and commitment will help to create and strengthen constructive behaviors for the care of creation," the pope said.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia