Pope blasts “consumerist greed” on World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation
Vatican CityRNS Pope Francis condemned “consumerist greed” and “selfish hearts” as responsible for the climate crisis in his yearly message for World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which occurs on 1st September and was presented at the Vatican on Thursday. Inspired by the words of the Prophet Amos, the Pope chose “let […]
Vatican takes climate activists to court on Laudato Si’ anniversary
Vatican CityRNS Climate change activists faced trial at the Vatican on Wednesday on vandalism charges for gluing themselves to the statue of “Laocoön and His Sons” in the Vatican Museums last summer. The trial of Ester Goffi, a 25-year-old art history student, and Guido Viero, a 61-year-old health worker, took place on the eighth anniversary of […]
Essay: Why people of faith are saying no to fossil fuels
THEA ORMEROD, chair of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, looks at why faith-based organisations are moving their money out of fossil fuel investments and into “climate solutions”…
A new film by Emmy-winning director centres on Pope’s vision for environment
Vatican CityRNS A new documentary titled The Letter, directed by Emmy-winner Nicholas Brown, premiered at the Vatican on Tuesday. The letter of the title is Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, Laudato Sì, addressed to “all people of good will” and urging an interconnected vision for humanity and the planet. Brown, who has directed many environment-focused documentaries, […]
Australian Catholic bishops call for a more sustainable church
Sydney, Australia The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has committed to working towards a more sustainable church in its annual statement promoting social justice. In the ‘Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor’ statement released this month, the bishops have committed to a seven-year “journey towards seven ‘Laudato Si’ Goals” – a reference to Pope […]
Essay: Solar panels allow religious institutions to do well while doing good
In an article first published on Religion News Service, US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE says installing solar panels is “a great opportunity for religious institutions to do well while doing good”…
Essay: In ‘love thy neighbour’, Quakers and Catholics share a call to protect our common home
In an article first published on Religion News Service, DIANE RANDALL, general secretary of the US-based Friends Committee on National Legislation, and ALICIA CANNON, FCNL’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Program assistant, argue that in order to ‘love thy neighbour’, we must preserve and protect our common home…
Vatican ties virus rethink to Pope’s environmental appeal
Vatican CityAP The Vatican is marking the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical by calling for the world to map out a sustainable post-coronavirus future that considers the plight of the hungry and poor. To kick off the week, 42 faith organisations from 14 countries announced they were divesting from fossil fuels. Among them […]
ESSAY: AMAZONIAN BISHOPS CONDEMN ATTACKS ON RAINFOREST AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE, in an article first published on Religion News Service, looks back at this week’s Amazon Synod…
Two-thirds of Amazon Catholic bishops support married priests, says Brazil bishop
Vatican CityRNS According to one Brazil bishop attending the Vatican summit on the Amazon region, a majority of Brazilian bishops are in favor of allowing the ordination of married men to the priesthood. “Of the bishops who are in the Amazon region, I guess two-thirds are in favour of the viri probati,” said Emeritus Bishop Erwin […]