FROM A PARTNER

Lenten Reflection               

In a beautiful commentary titled A Catholic Stewardship of the Environment- A Renewed Vision, National Catholic Rural Life Conference Executive Director, Jim Ennis, considers how spending time in God’s Creation helps us recognize that there is a purpose in all of creation, and we can learn much if we pause to reflect upon God’s creation.

While we can choose to become aware of God’s presence in creation, Ennis observes that If we don’t see purpose, order or beauty in creation, then we tend to treat creation as if it is merely an unintelligible substance to be used, manipulated, or abused in any way we see fit.  He points out that such an ethic of manipulation and exploitation is inconsistent with authentic Christian living since [a]s stewards of the gift of creation, we are called to ‘till and cultivate,’ to be co-operators with God in cultivating the earth.

This Lent, we invite you develop a fuller sacramental vision of the natural world in order to recognize the Creator’s real presence in Creation.  As St. John of Damascus declared: The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.

NEW MEDIA RESOURCES

Coalition Website Adds More Video Content

The Coalition has added a new Media Resources page with six short videos that describe a faithful response to climate change, calling us to care for God’s creation and to care for those most impacted, the poor and vulnerable.  We invite you to use these as tools to help spread the good news about the Church’s commitment to care for God’s creation and all those within it.

The page contains an overview video about Pope Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate in which he calls for protection of the environment, and the safeguarding of resources and of the climate.  Others address creation care within the context of different ministries within the Church (a parish, a college, a diocese, a religious community, a hospital) highlighting experiences and best practices designed to inspire further sustainability efforts in your community.

If you have a story (either a video or a narrative) to share about how you or your community has integrated Catholic mission-based sustainability into your life and ministry, email the Coalition.

LENTEN RESOURCES

Franciscan Action Network offers “Stations of the Cross with John Paul II: On the path of ecological conversion"

The Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is pleased to offer “Stations of the Cross with John Paul II: On the path of ecological conversion” in both English and Spanish. Please visit the FAN website to download the Stations in English  or Spanish and to access other Lenten resources.

FROM A PARTNER

New CRS Director Sees Environmental Dislocations

In an interview with Forbes magazine, the new CEO of Catholic Relief Services, Carolyn Woo, shares her hopes for CRS and herself as she takes the reins of the organization.  When asked what her top priorities are for the US Catholic overseas relief and development agency, Woo said, I need to keep my head up, to focus on what is coming down the road, on environmental dislocations and the necessary strategic re-alignments.

She also knows that the annual battles for funding will be challenging, particularly at a time with the neither US Congress nor the administration appear to make life-saving overseas relief and development assistance a priority.  Read more here.

FROM THE USCCB PRESIDENT

Cardinal Dolan Reflects on Social Mission

Addressing the annual Public Policy Convention of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY, Cardinal Timothy Dolan urged Catholics to be engaged in the public square saying, We root for the underdog in Catholic social justice.  He continued, Human laws must always flow from and never contradict natural law. Politics and policy can never trump principles and Catholic teaching promotes stewardship of people, environment and creation…Jesus always had radar for those at the side of the road which is the basis for the preferential option for the poor…Responsibility trumps rights and we are never free from the duty to serve others, particularly those in need.  Read more of Cardinal Dolan’s reflection on being faithful citizens including his continuing call to work against the federal mandate on contraception coverage and how secularism fills the void when people of faith disengage from the political arena. 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Scotland Creates Climate Justice Fund

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) hailed the announcement by the Scottish government for the creation of a Climate Justice Fund to help respond to the on-going challenges of climate change.

The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson, said: It is a travesty that it is the poorest people in the world’s most undeveloped countries who are hardest hit by climate change. They are least able to respond to the impact of increasingly erratic weather patterns and ever more frequent climate-related disasters…[T]he onus is on the international community to take action.

In response, Patrick Grady, SCIAF’s advocacy manager, said Urgent and substantial action is needed to support vulnerable communities in developing countries where lives and livelihoods are already being lost due to climate change.  Countries like Scotland secured huge economic benefits from the historical use of fossil fuels.  It is only fair that we should stand in solidarity with those now affected and pay our fair share to help the most vulnerable adapt to the climate challenges they face.  Grady went on to say that the Fund demonstrated cross-party support for the concept of climate justice, and a clear recognition of widespread public concern about the impact of climate change around the world.
Read the entire report here. 

UPCOMING WEBINAR

Catholics Going Green

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 20, from 3:00 - 4:00 PM EDT!  Ave Maria Press will offer a free webinar: Catholics Going Green: Our Call to Stewardship and the Journey of Living Environmental Justice.  Walter E. Grazer who served as the director of the Environmental Justice Program for the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops from 1993 to 2007 will lead the event.  The webinar will explore six pertinent themes from Catholic theology and Catholic social teaching to help us foster a deeper reverence and sense of gratitude for the gift of creation.
Click here to register for this FREE event.

FROM AN ECUMENICAL PARTNER

Global Day of Prayer for Creation

The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) is co-sponsoring their third Global Day of Prayer for Creation Care on Thursday April 26, 2012 in Washington, DC.  The day will include prayer and worship, theological exploration and training, and will feature speakers including Dr. Chris Wright (Keynote), Lon Allison, Leith Anderson, Luis Cortes, Jo Anne Lyon.

EEN’s Global Day of Prayer for Creation Care is co-sponsored by the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the National Association of Evangelicals, Eden Vigil, Care of Creation Inc., The Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, Esperanza USA, Blessed Earth, and many others.
Click here to register, and check out the numerous creation care materials and resources.

ERRata

We regret that a link in the February 22, 2012 Weekly Update misidentified St. John's University.  We meant to link to St. John's University in Collegeville, MN, not the St. John's University in NY.