Pope Francis says "From the hands of God we have received a garden, we cannot leave a desert for our children." at Laudato Si Launch - FULL TEXT


 

VIDEO MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

FOR THE LAUDATO SI ' PLATFORM LAUNCH

Dear brothers and sisters,

with the Encyclical Laudato si ' , promulgated in 2015, I called on all people of good will to take care of the Earth, which is our common home. For some time now, this house that hosts us has suffered from wounds that we cause due to a predatory attitude, which makes us feel masters of the planet and its resources and authorizes us to irresponsibly use the goods that God has given us.  Today, these wounds manifest themselves dramatically in an unprecedented ecological crisis, affecting the soil, air, water and, in general, the ecosystem in which human beings live. The current pandemic, then, has brought to light even more strongly the cry of nature and that of the poor who suffer the most from it, highlighting that everything is interconnected and interdependent and that our health is not separated from the health of the environment in which we live.

We therefore need a new ecological approach, which transforms our way of living in the world, our lifestyles, our relationship with the Earth's resources and, in general, the way we look at man and live. the life. An integral human ecology, which involves not only environmental issues but man as a whole, becomes capable of listening to the cry of the poor and of being a leaven for a new society.

We have a great responsibility, especially towards future generations. What world do we want to leave for our children and our young people? Our selfishness, our indifference and our irresponsible styles are threatening the future of our kids! So I renew my appeal: let's take care of our mother Earth, let's overcome the temptation of selfishness that makes us predators of resources, let's cultivate respect for the gifts of the Earth and creation, let's inaugurate a lifestyle and a society that is finally eco-sustainable: we the opportunity to prepare a better tomorrow for all. From the hands of God we have received a garden, we cannot leave a desert for our children.

In this context, on 24 May 2020 I announced the Laudato Si ' year , whose organization was entrusted to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development . I thank all those who celebrated this year with many initiatives. Today I am pleased to announce that the Laudato year will lead to a concrete action project, the Laudato si 'Action Platform , a seven-year journey that will involve our communities in different ways, so that they become totally sustainable, in the spirit of integral ecology.

I would therefore like to invite everyone to tackle this journey together, in particular I address these seven realities: families - parishes and dioceses - schools and universities - hospitals - businesses and farms - organizations, groups and movements - religious institutes. Working together. Only in this way will we be able to create the future we want: a more inclusive, fraternal, peaceful and sustainable world.

On a journey that will last for seven years, we will let ourselves be guided by the seven objectives of Laudato si ' , which will show us the direction as we pursue the vision of integral ecology: the response to the cry of the Earth, the response to the cry of the poor, the ecological economics, the adoption of a simple lifestyle, ecological education, ecological spirituality and community commitment.

There is hope. We can all collaborate, each with their own culture and experience, each with their own initiatives and abilities, so that our mother Earth returns to its original beauty and creation returns to shine according to God's plan.

God bless each of you and bless our mission to rebuild our common home. Thank you!

FULL TEXT Source: Vatican.va

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