The Ecology Commission of Christian Life Community (CLC) developed Progressio Supplement #72: Caring for Creation that focused on matters of ecology and environmental concerns, and stands as CLC’s contribution to the ongoing action in the ecology frontier, one of the priorities of the Lebanon World Assembly.
The CLC discussion on the theme of ecology aligns itself with the directive of the Church’s Social Doctrine – as laid down by the Second Vatican Council, and as ratified by all following popes – in urging a firm and concerted response from people of faith to the environmental challenge of our time. And today, above all, we align ourselves with the brave and clear call of Laudato si’: On the Care of our Common Home that responds to and seeks to ameliorate the ravaged state of our sister earth and our shared home. This call is affirmed in Number 2 of the Encyclical which states that “amongst the most abandoned and wretched in our care is our Mother Earth, who shudders and suffers with the pains of labour. We forget that we too are made of this same earth.” (cf. Gn. 2, 7)
With a desire to set a clear course of action in response to this urgent agenda, the final document passed during the CLC Lebanon World Assembly in 2013 defined environment as one of its top priorities based on two principles:
- Develop, through all our attitudes and actions, a sensitivity towards Creation
- Establish and develop networks that share experiences and inform us of good practices (eg the Amazon Project).
In order to campaign visibly, bravely, and decisively for the care of the environment and for the revision of lifestyles, CLC offers this environmental Progressio Supplement as a resource for all members of its global community, asking God that we respond wisely and appropriately to the signs of the times.
CLC members across the world share their reflections, stories and invitations for apostolic action, including the Amazon project, in this publication. It also includes a set of 12 community meeting plans for use by groups, focusing on growing in communion with creation, as well as deepening mission and response.
The content of this supplement allows for a much clearer understanding of ecological issues and Laudato si’. It offers a range of community meeting guidelines which will enable an alignment with the Pope’s vision, and provides concrete examples which can be used as both reference and inspiration for a new concerted action as CLC.
Progressio Supplement #72: Caring for Creation can be downloaded at the CLC homepage.
