Taking the next step
Local
Local parishes and communities have been urged to take action to save the planet and its creatures, following the release of the Archdiocese’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform and Strategic Plan in September.
Launching the document at the Pilgrimage to Country held on September 18, Archbishop Patrick O’Regan appealed to every person, family, parish, community, school, agency and institution to embrace the plan and “adapt it to respond to their local reality”.
“As an Archdiocese we continue our commitment to listening to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor and responding with appropriate and effective action,” he said.
Sarah Moffatt, chair of the Archdiocese’s Council for Integral Ecology which is responsible for leading the implementation of Laudato Si’ in the life and work of the Catholic community, said resources would be created in the coming months to assist parishes and communities to make use of the platform at a local level.
“The Council will be responsible for implementing the plan in the Archdiocese and we will continue to develop further strategies, review and engage local communities in action,” Ms Moffatt said.
“We aim to activate parish and grassroots networks and through education and formation, collaborate with the wider community to progress and activate the healing of people and the planet.”
Developed in line with one of the motions of the Fifth Australian Plenary Council, the platform outlines examples of actions that can be undertaken at the parish level in six areas – ecological education; ecological spirituality; ecological economics; adoption of sustainable lifestyles; responding to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth; community engagement and participatory action.
Held as part of the Season of Creation celebrations in September, the Pilgrimage to Country provided the perfect setting for drawing attention to Pope Francis’ encyclical and to acknowledge the Archdiocese’s support for the Voice to Parliament referendum.
Despite wet conditions more than 40 people attended, representing parishes including Emmaus, Croydon, Blackwood, Tailem Bend, Cabra Community, Victor/Goolwa, Norwood, Salisbury, Aberfoyle Park, and the Adelaide Hills.
Starting from Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square, pilgrims walked along Wakefield Street to the wetlands in the parklands, taking time to reflect at various locations on their importance to First Nations people.
Special guests during the formal proceedings of the afternoon included Corinna Kartinyeri and Leonie McCallum from the Ngarrindgeri nation.
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform and Strategic Plan can be viewed at www.adelaide.catholic.org.au
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