Over 145 representatives from dioceses, parishes and schools across Australia participated in a 3-day Season of Creation Convocation, concluding on Saturday the 14th of September.
The event, hosted by Caritas Australia’s Catholic Earthcare program, called participants to ‘Wonder’, ‘Weave’ and ‘Heal’ together, in pursuit of greater care for creation. Across six in person hub events and a virtual convocation, attendees heard from over 40 speakers, who shared their wisdom on how to care for our common home.
On day one, participants heard from Sr. Ann-Maree O’Beirne Sister of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Sr. Ann-Maree O’Beirne’s theme was “Captivated by Grace, Cultivating Hope: Denis Edwards’s Theological Gaze on the Natural World in these Troubled Times.”
A priest, teacher, prolific author, and theologian, Mgr. James Denis Edwards said that “To gaze with awe and wonder at the gift of creation and to come to a deep awareness of the ‘signs of the times’” was at the heart of his life and faith.
Sr. Ann-Maree O’Beirne explored Edwards’s theological gaze on the natural world and his growing awareness of its plight, a planet on a trajectory of destruction, stating that “Yet by grace, his life work cultivates hope. You are invited to ponder your journey of awe and wonder against this backdrop of Edwards’s inspiring work to discover God’s grace and hope for Earth’s community in these troubled times.”
This aligned with the day one theme of Wonder, during which participants were invited to gaze with awe and wonder at the gift of creation and to come to a deep awareness of the times we live in.
On day two, participants heard from Pedro Walpole Global Coordinator for EcoJesuit, research director for the Environmental Science for Social Change and the coordinator of RAAOEN
Pedro Walpole’s theme was “Weaving Strategic Ways Forward - Making a Difference.”
In the presentation Pedro Walpole observed that our climate and socio-ecological crisis has been focused on the scientific and technological challenges, with growing emphasis on the requirement for cohesive global action, or multilateralism. Considering this, he asked what power the church’s efforts in synodality can bring, as there is resonance within its practical, caring, and inclusive, while deeply spiritual, approach.
The annual Conference of the Parties (COP), he argued, engages well with the scientific and technological challenges, while ground is only slowly gaining on the more collaborative, faith-based, and spiritual aspects. This leaves us, Pedro Walpole asserted, some distance away from corporate participation in dialogue with civil society - so “Who can take the lead on that and how? Can we get any closer than the possibility of hope?” he asked.
These are some of the strands of our socio-ecological fabric we are challenged to focus upon as the world is focusing on COP31 he concluded, as we humbly seek to build global action that helps us gain greater self-restraint.
This aligned with the day two theme Weave, with a focus on discerning a path forward through story-telling and deep weaving with our communities.
On day three, participants heard from Sally Neaves Integral Ecology Animator of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea, and ‘Slow the Flow Eugowra’ project leader.
Sally Neaves’ theme was: “Integral Ecology Mission: Community action for times of rolling disaster.”
During the presentation she focussed on The Seventh Laudato Si’ goal, “Community Resilience and Empowerment,” which envisages a synodal journey of community engagement and participatory action at various levels.
To set participants up for later discussion around acting in our communities for change, some possible modes of action were covered. This included suggestions of promoting advocacy and developing people’s campaigns, as well as encouraging rootedness and a sense of belonging in local communities and neighbourhood ecosystems.
In times of expected increased disaster, Sally Neaves counselled that the seventh Laudato Si’ goal offers an impulse for faith communities to assist in preparation and adaptation strategies.
This aligned with the day three theme Heal, with a focus on healing our relationship with creation and acting within our communities for change
About Catholic Earthcare
The Catholic Earthcare Season of Creation Convocation was hosted to give Catholic communities across Australia the opportunity to engage in collective action in pursuit of greater care for our common home.
The Catholic Earthcare program itself runs all year round as it supports individuals and communities looking to create Laudato Si’ Action Plans by arming them with information, platforms, and processes, alongside the ongoing support for the Earthcare community.
