In recent years, the global community has increasingly recognised the deep interrelation between environmental sustainability and human well-being. In this regard, 2024 holds significant importance as two major events coincide to emphasise our responsibilities: the Season of Creation [September 1 to October 4] and the United Nations Summit of the Future [September 22 to 23]. Both these events challenge us to reflect on the state of our world and take urgent action to safeguard our common home.
The Season of Creation over the past month urged us to embrace a spirit of care for all life on Earth, recognising that we are at a pivotal moment in human history. The evidence of climate change is undeniable. We see it in the rising sea levels, extreme weather patterns, and the growing vulnerability of ecosystems across the globe. Our planet, which God entrusted to us as stewards, is facing unprecedented threats, moving dangerously toward ecological collapse.
But this reality is not one of despair but a call for conversion and action. Our commitment to the Season of Creation cannot be limited to a mere five-week reflection. It must be a lifestyle, a continuous journey toward restoring the health of our planet. This is not just about the environment but about justice, human dignity, and the future of all God’s creatures.
This mission aligns with the goals of the United Nations Summit of the Future, held this year to address pressing global issues such as climate change, technological advancement, and rising inequalities. The summit produced the “Pact for the Future,” a document calling for sustainable development, peace, and justice—deeply resonating with Catholic social teaching.
These events are more than distant global gatherings. We are called to actively participate in the dialogue on climate change, poverty, and inequality. For Christians, this reflects our gospel call to protect life, promote peace, and stand in solidarity with the vulnerable.
Our parishes can become beacons of environmental awareness, integrating prayers for creation into our liturgies, organising workshops on ecological responsibility, and creating spaces for reflection on how faith and nature intersect. By making environmental stewardship a central aspect of parish life, we can inspire a deeper commitment among our faithful to care for God’s creation.
Moreover, with its strong presence in education and social services, the Church can play a pivotal role in fostering ecological awareness among the younger generation. Our schools can be hubs of innovation and leadership in environmental initiatives, encouraging students to launch sustainability projects, participate in climate activism, and reflect on how their faith shapes their responsibility to care for the Earth.
We are not passive observers of the world’s problems. As Catholics, we are called to lead. Our moral authority, rooted in the gospel and the wisdom of the Church, empowers us to be a voice for the poor, the marginalised, and the planet itself. The Season of Creation and the Summit of the Future remind us that our choices today will shape tomorrow’s world. Let us, as a community of faith in Hong Kong, take this moment to renew our commitment to caring for creation, stand in solidarity with our global brothers and sisters, and work for a world where justice, peace, and the dignity of all life prevail. jose, CMF.
