by Gabino Zavala. Justice and Peace Director
The Kansas City Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood has enrolled in the Vatican-backed platform that promotes a process for organizations, institutions, and families to work toward sustainability in the spirit of Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for creation.
The hope is that this allows the Catholic Church to respond to the Pope’s prophetic words in his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ on care for our common home. The hope is that Catholic institutions, organizations, dioceses, and families might put Pope Francis’ prophetic voice into actions that can make a difference so that we might deal effectively with the catastrophe that is global warming. In other words, what can we do to protect our planet and preserve it for present and future generations?
The Action Platform outlines several areas that are Laudato Si’ goals such as hearing the cry of the earth and hearing the cry of the poor; adopting simple, sustainable lifestyles, and ecological concerns. The Platform also identifies different actions that can be taken in each area.
Action steps include using renewable energy, reducing consumption of meat and single-use items, fostering ecological education and spirituality, advocating for sustainable development, and following ethical investment guidelines including divestment from fossil fuels.
This Platform seeks in us a radical change of heart in people and institutions and thus a transformation of society. The Platform is a concrete way for all of us, united in Christ, to integrate the teachings of Laudato Si’ into our lives. This is a concrete and perceptible way to witness to our faith as we renew our local Church and care for our common home.
Action is urgently needed. God has called us to be stewards of creation. This Laudato Si’ Action Platform allows us to take our stewardship seriously so that we can care for and heal our common home.
As our Precious Blood Family joins with others in putting the Laudato Si’ Action Platform into effect, we will be offering suggestions and ideas that might help us respond to the needs of caring for our common home.
“There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions, and it is wonderful how education can bring about real change in lifestyle” (Laudato Si’ 21)
