Sandhurst Diocese launched its commitment to environmental action on the banks of Broken Creek in Nathalia, in northern Victoria, as part of the Church’s Laudato Si’ Week. Source: Catholic Earthcare.
This event provided the occasion for Catholic Earthcare to celebrate 20 years of “creating dialogue and inspiring action to care for our common home”. St Mary’s College Nathalia hosted lunch for 150 guests who then walked to the creek.
Catholic Earthcare, now a program of Caritas Australia, was founded in 2002 in response to the Bishops’ Social Justice statement, A New Earth, calling for ecological conversion. Its role has evolved into developing a response to Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, and the seven Laudato Si' Goals which emerged, and were given real impetus by this year’s Bishops’ Statement Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor.
Catholic Earthcare Coordinator Sue Martin attended the Sandhurst event. She brought greetings from Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, chair of the Bishops’ Committee for Justice, Ecology and Peace. The Parramatta Diocese has taken a similar path to Sandhurst, joining the international Laudato Si’ Platform and recommending parishes and schools partner with Catholic Earthcare.
Sandhurst Bishop Shane Mackinlay commissioned the diocese’s Earthcare parish and school representatives, who received a Laudato Si’ tree, certificate and badges.
“Catholic Earthcare has made it easy to address the goals and journey towards becoming living Laudato Si’ communities”, says Richard Landels, Caritas Australia’s Advancement Director.
“The Earthcare Schools’ program began earlier but since the launching of the Laudato Si’ goals, it has gained momentum and the newly developed parish program has mushroomed,” he said.
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Catholic Earthcare celebrates 20 years with growing network (Catholic Earthcare)
