The next Friday, May 24, there will be the second global march against the climate crisis. In addition, on the same day we celebrate the 4th Anniversary of the Encyclical Laudato si’ on the care for common home.
Since the celebration of the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in Katowice, Poland (COP24), a great youth movement has been brewing, led by Greta Thunberg, which requires governments to respond urgently to the climate crisis that we live in.
Greta has become the symbol of the struggle of youth that claims intergenerational responsibility and a minimum of consciousness for future generations. Pope Francis has put some open questions about our current lifestyle 4 years ago. “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up? This question not only concerns the environment in isolation; the issue cannot be approached piecemeal. When we ask ourselves what kind of world we want to leave behind, we think in the first place of its general direction, its meaning and its values.” (LS n.160)
As Franciscans we cannot remain indifferent to the grave situation we are experiencing. During the Plenary Council of the Order, held in Nairobi last year, the Encyclical Laudato si’was reflected on, concluding that “As regards a living and integral ecology, we friars should be a point of reference and a resource for the Church and for society” (CPO / 18 n.115). By charismatic identity and by fidelity to the Gospel we cannot remain on the sidelines, nor indifferent to the cry of the Earth and the cries of the poor.
Some countries are organizing events and inviting others to join the climate march on May 24 this Friday. When celebrating the 4th anniversary of the Laudato si’, we put here some information that friars can use in their fraternities.
EVENTS
Guatemala | Aldea Ecológica
Hour: 9.00
Venue: 6A. AV. Zona 1 – Ciudad de Guatemala
For more information HERE
Chile | Marcha
Hour: 17.00
Venue: Frontis iglesia San Francisco, Alameda 834 – Santiago
For more information HERE
México | Marcha
Hour: 11.00
Venue: Zócalo en el Centro de Puebla / Clausura Convento San Francisco
For more information HERE
Colombia | Meeting Festival / plantación de arboles
Hour: 8.00
Venue: Colegio San Tarciso – Bogotá
VIDEO FOR JOIN SNS
STUDYGUIDE FOR THE ENCYCLICAL LAUDATO SI’’
Catholics in the Climate Marches (GCCM)
Br. Jaime Campos F., OFM
JPIC Office