To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Laudato si' encyclical, the Vatican has published this book about some of the initiatives being spearheaded by Catholic institutions.
For example, the Brazilian bishops are helping mothers, not only when the baby is born, but throughout pregnancy.
The book also proposes doing more to fight food and water waste.
It also mentions the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel, which supports development projects to create jobs in the world's poorest places.
In addition, the book calls for investing in projects that respect life and nature.
The Vatican's secretary for relations with states presented the book alongside a representative of the Vatican departments responsible for its publication.
RICHARD GALLAGHER
Secretary for Relations with States
“We tried to give answers to the question that appears at the end of the encyclical: 'What must we do?' We adapted to its focus, taking into account the wide range of situations, from the domestic economy's daily life to implications for the international community.”
BRUNO MARIA DUFFÈ
Secretary, Dicastery for Integral Human Development
“We need to highlight practical ways to implement Laudato si'. The document “Journeying toward care for our common home. Five years since the Laudato si'” intends to contribute exactly to this pedagogy.”
VINCENZO ZANI
Secretary, Congregation for Catholic Education
“(In many Catholic schools) help is given to many children, be it in pre-school or elementary school. It's a way to see what they can do with small, concrete actions at home and in class.”
ALOYSIUS JOHN
Secretary General, Caritas Internationalis
“Examples are: the commitment of Caritas India and Caritas Asia, aimed at providing new knowledge and skills among small-scale farmers in order to avoid excessive use of fertilizers; the great work of Caritas Burkina Faso to ensure access to drinkable water for the locals.”
FERNANDO VÉRGEZ
Secretary General, Governorate of Vatican City-State
“(At the Vatican, we've pushed for initiatives) including recycling residues, respecting green spaces, saving water and energy. We've bet on renewable energy sources and avoided greenhouse gas effects. We've gone for minimum atmospheric contamination by promoting electric transport and the use of environmentally friendly pesticides and fertilizers that respect the Earth and its fruits.”
The document is called “Journeying toward care for our common home.” It's a useful text proposing good ideas so Catholic and non-Catholic institutions can concretely implement what the pope calls an “Integral Ecology.”
JMB
Translation: CT
