Pope Francis has asked via video for Catholics to pray that we learn to respect the planet’s resources.
The pope’s call was made on World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation which is observed Sept. 1.
The international celebration marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, which extends to Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.
You can watch the pope’s call above or read the text of his prayer intention below.
We are squeezing out the planet’s goods. Squeezing them out, as if the earth were an orange.
Countries and businesses from the global north have enriched themselves by exploiting the natural resources of the south, creating an “ecological debt.” Who is going to pay this debt?
In addition, this “ecological debt” is increased when multinationals do abroad what they would never be allowed to do in their own countries. It’s outrageous. Today, not tomorrow; today, we have to take care of Creation responsibly.
Let us pray that the planet’s resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and respectful manner.
No to plundering; yes to sharing.
