Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis for the first time released a joint declaration calling for the protection of creation.
The statement calls on every person “to listen to the cry of the earth and of people who are poor.” It says we can all “play a part in changing our collective response to the unprecedented threat of climate change and environmental degradation.”
Pope Francis mentioned this joint message in early September, at the beginning of the Season of Creation, which for many Christians is an opportunity to pray and care for God's creation.
POPE FRANCIS
September 1, 2021
“Together with our brothers and sisters from different Christian confessions, let us pray and work for our common home in these days of grave planetary crisis.”
The leaders of the Anglican Communion, the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church invite people to pray for world leaders preparing to address climate issues at the upcoming COP26 in Glasgow.
The statement urges individuals to make responsible choices and “meaningful sacrifices” to counteract the consequences of having “greedily consumed more of the earth's resources than the planet can endure.”
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