Pope's World Day of Peace Message
12/16/2009 02:25 PM
Yesterday Pope Benedict
XVI released the text of his annual message for the
World Day of Peace on January 1, 2010. The Holy
Father’s theme was at once simple and profound,
“If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect
Creation.” In this moving message, Pope
Benedict seamlessly weaves together concerns for
peace, poverty and care for creation.
Pope Benedict teaches that “integral human development is closely linked to the obligations which flow from man’s relationship with the natural environment. The environment must be seen as God’s gift to all people, and the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations.”
Attached you will find a resource to help local parishes, schools and campus ministries to explore the Holy Father’s teaching. It includes a bulletin insert, a primer on Catholic social teaching and the environment, a prayer, and stories from Catholic Relief Services that gives a face to the issues explored by the Pope Benedict in his message. A series of bulletin quotes will be available soon on JPHD’s World Day of Peace Web page at www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/worlddayofpeacewebsite.shtml.
Please use these resources to explore the poignant questions posed by our Holy Father:
Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions? Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of “environmental refugees”, people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it – and often their possessions as well – in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement? Can we remain impassive in the face of actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural resources?
In Christ’s Peace during this Advent Season,
Pope Benedict teaches that “integral human development is closely linked to the obligations which flow from man’s relationship with the natural environment. The environment must be seen as God’s gift to all people, and the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations.”
Attached you will find a resource to help local parishes, schools and campus ministries to explore the Holy Father’s teaching. It includes a bulletin insert, a primer on Catholic social teaching and the environment, a prayer, and stories from Catholic Relief Services that gives a face to the issues explored by the Pope Benedict in his message. A series of bulletin quotes will be available soon on JPHD’s World Day of Peace Web page at www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/worlddayofpeacewebsite.shtml.
Please use these resources to explore the poignant questions posed by our Holy Father:
Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions? Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of “environmental refugees”, people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it – and often their possessions as well – in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement? Can we remain impassive in the face of actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural resources?
In Christ’s Peace during this Advent Season,
The Human Family: A Community of Peace
12/11/2007 04:03 PM
Each year, the Pope
releases a World Day of Peace Message. The Vatican
has released Pope Benedict's message for 2008,
entitled The Human
Family: A Community of Peace. The message teaches about the
importance of family, the environment, the moral
law, and the need for disarmament as they relate
to the establishment of peace.
Climate Change
09/10/2007 12:52 PM
“Care of water
resources and attention to climate change are matters
of grave importance for the entire human
family… Encouraged by the growing recognition
of the need to preserve the environment, I invite all
of you to join me in praying and working for greater
respect for the wonders of God’s
creation!”
To find out more about what you can do, check out:
The Climate Change Justice and Health Initiative - a project of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change
The Prairie Climate Stewardship Network
To find out more about what you can do, check out:
The Climate Change Justice and Health Initiative - a project of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change
The Prairie Climate Stewardship Network
