Asian Jesuits urged to adhere to Laudato Si’
The Jesuit Superiors in Asia Pacific have urged all their members, colleagues and all those involved with their work to make a thoughtful and generous response to Pope Francis’ new encyclical Laudato Si’ (On the Care of Our Common Home).
Jul 31, 2015
The Jesuit Superiors in Asia Pacific have urged all their members, colleagues and all those involved with their work to make a thoughtful and generous response to Pope Francis’ new encyclical Laudato Si’ (On the Care of Our Common Home).
The urgent need for reconciliation with creation, which the Pope has pointed out “is already one of our apostolic priorities in Asia Pacific,” said the statement on Laudato Si’ dated July 17 signed by all the major superiors of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.
“It is crucial that we address ecological issues more explicitly in Jesuit formation and also make these a matter for our ongoing formation,” the statement said.
For both personal prayer and public preaching, the superiors suggested the three specific themes raised by the Holy Father: deepening our gratitude to God for the many gifts of creation (praise); appreciating the interconnectedness of all things (integral ecology); and becoming healers of a wounded world (practical steps).
The statement urged Jesuit communities to embark on a process of discernment toward making concrete changes in their lifestyle. It asked to keep in mind three particular priorities: a secure water supply for all; planting in order to cool down the earth’s atmosphere; and the recycling of resources and rubbish to counter the effects of a “throwaway culture”.
“Ecology is a field in which we can easily partner with all people of good will. The Church will look to us for both deep study and meaningful action. We can assist local bishops by contributing to a deeper theology and spirituality of ecology. With our many schools and our social communications centres we are well positioned to promote education towards the “ecological citizenship” Pope Francis envisions,” the statement said.
The superiors asked members to encourage families,during their pastoral ministries,to live a life of greater simplicity,as well as renew their own commitment to simplicity as religious.
“Finally, as we seek a genuine change of heart, let us focus on the needs of the poor, who suffer the effects of climate change and economic injustice most starkly. In holding them close, we will only draw closer to the poor and humble Christ,” the statement concluded. -- ucanews.com
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