by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice
“The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.” – Pope Benedict XVI, Charity in Truth.
By the time you read this article, His Grace would have formally launched the consultation on the “Draft framework towards an Environmental Policy for the Archdiocese”. On March 14, Catholic News will publish a 4-page pull out of the Draft framework.
Copies of the 10-page Draft framework, a 4-page Executive Summary, and a more detailed supporting document can be accessed on CCSJ’s website: www.rcsocialjusticett.org. Hard copies can be obtained from CCSJ’s Office (Tel: 290-1635). The documents provide useful information about things that you can do to protect the integrity of God’s creation.
We encourage everyone to take the St Francis Pledge to care for creation and the poor and vulnerable (see: catholicclimatecovenant.org/the-st-francis-pledge). Each time we attend Mass we listen to the priest as he says: “Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation…” With him, we acknowledge that: “To God belong the earth and all it holds, the world and all who live in it” (Ps 24:1). Sadly, if we look around our world, we human beings sometimes act as though the earth and all it holds belong to us to dominate and exploit unconditionally.
Lent is a time of repentance, renewal, conversion, and transformation. The Eucharist will help us to transform our lives to live Gospel values. Our Catechism tells us that:
“The Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross, is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in humanity.” (1359)
Lent is a time also for fasting, abstinence and almsgiving. The Environmental Outreach Committee of the Archdiocese of Washington suggests that we consider taking carbon fasting actions as part of our Lenten preparation for the Easter season. (See: catholicclimatecovenant.org/wp…/Lenten-Carbon-Fast-Calendar-2010.pdf for 40 carbon fasting actions we can consider). “Each of these actions will reduce our production of climate change pollution and help to preserve God’s great gift of Creation.” This initiative is adapted from Tearfund and other sources.
According to the Committee, “Ash Wednesday reminds us to be faithful in action even when no one is paying attention. If we are all living in harmony with the rest of God’s Creation, especially when no one is looking, our households, our churches, and our society will also be transformed.”
You are invited to join in this initiative and to create innovative ways of taking carbon fasting action. The following are some suggestions by the Committee:
“Remove one light bulb from your home and live without its light during lent. This will decrease your energy use, and act as a reminder of your Lenten Carbon Fast.”
Turn down your air-conditioning thermostat by at least one degree. Always turn off the air-condition, fan and electricity when you leave a room.
“Go meat-free on Friday. Christians have been eating less meat during Lent for generations. Choosing meat-free meals is one of the most powerful things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.
“Make one of your journeys more environmentally friendly today. Could you combine two trips? Car-pool rather than driving solo? Bike or walk, or take the bus instead of driving? ”
Pope Benedict reminded us in his World Day of Peace Message: “Our present crises … require us to rethink the path which we are travelling together. Specifically, they call for a lifestyle marked by sobriety and solidarity…”
Lent is a time to deepen our relationship with God. Set aside time for Lenten retreats also. I shall be the speaker at Rosary RC Church during midday Mass from March 1-5 and at St Philip & St James RC Church, Chaguanas on Monday, March 1 from 7.30 p.m. There are Lenten retreats across the archdiocese, do attend when you can. Let us be transformed by God’s grace to a new humanity.
