The recent visit to Brisbane by the President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, has underlined for us how critical the situation is for our sisters and brothers in the Pacific and how urgent it is that wealthy countries like Australia take decisive action to address the climate emergency.
The words Archbishop Chong wrote for a climate change lament ring in our ears: “Mother earth is crying. Save our home!”
Pope Francis also released a powerful message on September 1 for the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation. In it, he urges us to take our lead from the many young people who demand action from Governments to transition rapidly from fossil fuels to renewable energy. He calls for prophetic action. The Pope’s words and the demands of our young people also ring in our ears.
We know also that some in our country are worried about their economic future if we transition quickly away from fossil fuels. Their concerns are important and we hear them also. We believe that it is possible, with commitment and determination, to safeguard their economic future at the same time as we protect the future of the young people of today through decisive climate action.
It’s time for us as Catholics to take seriously our sacred responsibility to care for our common home, the earth. We have no time to waste!
We urge our fellow Catholics and people of goodwill to support the young people who are working hard to convince our leaders to take action in the face of the climate emergency. Take to the streets with them on Friday 20 September. Bring your family and friends with you too. Send a powerful message to our leaders that we want them to protect our planet and to safeguard the future for our young people.
The Brisbane Global #ClimateStrike action will take place between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM in Queens Gardens, corner of George & Elizabeth Streets, Brisbane.
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| Source: https://www.sosj.org.au/about-the-sisters/about-us/congregational-leadership-team/ |
Josephites
endorse climate action
The Sisters of St
Joseph will support the worldwide climate rallies on the 20th
September.
“After careful
deliberation we are taking this strong decision,” said Sister Monica Cavanagh,
congregational leader of the Sisters of St Joseph. “We are aware of the dilemmas facing families
and educational establishments grappling with the realities of the climate
crisis, side by side with their educational obligations to students and
families. Nonetheless, our history as
Josephites, and the urgency of the climate issues facing us, impel us to
support this action.”
The
fundamental message of the young activists is that they are taking action
because governments won’t. The Sisters
decision to support and join the rallies lies precisely in this concern about
the government’s inaction and its refusal to take leadership, even in the face
of the clear global threats being experienced across our world, and in our own
country. The current bushfires, drought,
and crises facing the Murray Darling are symptomatic of these realities.
“How can we not take action?” asked
Sr Monica. “our Pacific neighbours watch
as their lands are disappearing. Pope
Francis urges us to both treasure Earth, and do all we can to preserve its
health. We also know that it is those who are
most defenceless who are most immediately affected by the devastation we are
causing. Both our religious faith and the
call to us as humans propel us to do all we can to preserve the gift of
creation.”
Josephites
around Australia and overseas pledge to support the rallies on 20th
September through word, prayer, action, and safe, non-violent and appropriate
action. Knowing that it is the cohort of
well-informed young people who will have to bear the brunt of governments’ distortion
of facts and deliberate choice of profit over life has led us to this decision.
As
Sr Monica says, “in this issue, we can do no other.”
Sisters of Saint Joseph
9 Mount St North Sydney 2060
Media enquiries
Jan Barnett
0403 634 534
Jan.Barnett@sosj.org.au
The natural world is our greatest gift. As an organisation whose mission it is to build a just society, we recognise that the social and environmental are inextricably linked. The pursuit of justice necessarily involves care for the planet as our common home and transformation of the untenable social and economic systems that have produced the climate crisis and widespread environmental degradation threatening our future. It requires attention to already vulnerable communities who will be worst affected by the impacts of a changing climate.
Inspired by Swedish school student Greta Thunberg, students in Australia and across the globe have asked everyone to join them in calling on governments to commit to urgent action to create climate solutions. Grassroots actions will take place in cities and towns all over the world ahead of the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 in late September, centering on the Global Strike 4 Climate on Friday 20 September.
Nationally and internationally, the Jesuits are committed to accompanying young people in the creation of a hope-filled future and care for our common home. Jesuit Social Services sees our support for the young people leading the calls for climate action as consistent with these commitments.
On Friday 20 September, we are encouraging staff to support their local action and in doing so, lending our voice to thousands of young people across the globe working to build a more just and sustainable future.
We encourage you to join us.
Details of School Strikes for Climate across Australia are available here.
Jesuit Social Services stands with young people across the globe demanding climate action. As an organisation, we continue our commitment to ecological justice.
The natural world is our greatest gift. As an organisation whose mission it is to build a just society, we recognise that the social and environmental are inextricably linked. The pursuit of justice necessarily involves care for the planet as our common home and transformation of the untenable social and economic systems that have produced the climate crisis and widespread environmental degradation threatening our future. It requires attention to already vulnerable communities who will be worst affected by the impacts of a changing climate.
Inspired by Swedish school student Greta Thunberg, students in Australia and across the globe have asked everyone to join them in calling on governments to commit to urgent action to create climate solutions. Grassroots actions will take place in cities and towns all over the world ahead of the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 in late September, centering on the Global Strike 4 Climate on Friday 20 September.
Nationally and internationally, the Jesuits are committed to accompanying young people in the creation of a hope-filled future and care for our common home. Jesuit Social Services sees our support for the young people leading the calls for climate action as consistent with these commitments.
On Friday 20 September, we are encouraging staff to support their local action and in doing so, lending our voice to thousands of young people across the globe working to build a more just and sustainable future.
We encourage you to join us.
Details of School Strikes for Climate across Australia are available here.
Comments
Best place for the contest of ideas is in the classroom
Catholic school students would receive a more balanced view of important social and political issues in class than at unregulated, non-educational events, Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) said today.
CSNSW Chief Executive Officer Dallas McInerney says Catholic education supported students becoming more informed about the world and their role in its future but noted the expectation of the NSW Government that during school hours all students should be at school.
“While we are pleased to see our students passionate about the environment, the best way for young people to really make a difference is to receive a quality education in the classroom – inquiry through scholarship. This will provide them with the skills and knowledge to positively change the world as adults,” Mr McInerney said.
“Skipping school doesn't change the world, and we don't accept there needs to be a clash between attending class and caring about global issues.”
“We believe students should learn about and discuss these issues in class where there is
a responsibility on teachers to present information on important, contentious issues in a balanced and factual way.”
Council of Catholic School Parents Executive Director, Peter Grace, added that while it is encouraging to see young people care about global issues, the best way to learn about these issues is from teachers and peers at school, and from their families at home.
“Our Church has a long tradition of Catholic social teaching, at the centre of which is the dignity of the human person and the common good. This tradition is best served by school students receiving a sound education in which they discuss topical issues in the classroom setting,” Mr Grace said.
Media Contact: James Tudehope | james.tudehope@csnsw.catholic.edu.au | 0458 236 874
19 September 2019
PO Box 20768, World Square NSW 2002 I (+61 2) 9287 1555 I csnsw@csnsw.catholic.edu.au I csnsw.catholic.edu.au I ACN: 619 593 369