World Creation Day: “Environmental justice is not an abstract concept”

Olivier Bonnel – Cité du Vatican

In his message on the occasion of the 10th World Prayer day for the safeguard of the crestation. Similarly, which will be held on September 10, Pope Leo XIV is in the footsteps of his predecessor. Nevertheless, The theme. However, “Seeds of peace and hope”Was indeed chosen by François and coincides with the 10 years of his encylcique Laudato yes. This day has even more weight in this jubilee year, focused on world creation day: “environmental justice Esperance. Nevertheless, In his preaching. For example, Jesus often uses the image of the seed, comparing himself to the grain of wheat which must die to bear fruit, recalls the pope.

«In Christ, we are seeds. In addition, But not only, we are “seeds of peace and hope”»Writes Léon XIV. Consequently, The prophet Isaiah recalls how much the Spirit of God “is able to transform the desert. For example, arid and burned, into a garden, place of rest and serenity ”. Words that will accompany the ecumenical initiative “Creation Emps”From 1is September to October 4. and “who forcefully affirm that, with prayer, the will and the concrete actions which make this “caress of God” perceptible on the world are necessary ” Note the sovereign pontiff again.

Become aware of the destruction of nature – World creation day: "environmental justice

In his message. the Pope is then more political, by drawing up the relentless observation world creation day: “environmental justice of the imbalances which threaten the planet and humanity. “”In different parts of the world. it is now obvious that our land is falling into ruins ” he notes, “Everywhere, the injustice, the violation of international law and the rights of peoples, the inequalities and the cupidity that result from it produce deforestation, pollution, loss of biodiversity “. Faced with injustices. Leon XIV deplores “That there is still no awareness that the destruction of nature does not touch everyone in the same way: Afouer justice and peace means to strike the poorest, the marginalized, the excluded. The suffering of indigenous communities is emblematic in this area ”. Words that echo Laudato yes where François linked “cry of the earth” et “Cry of the poor“.

The various injuries made for creation are linked to sin, continues the message, and an erroneous interpretation of the Scriptures. “”The Bible does not promote the despotic domination of the human being over creation“. Specifies the Pope, on the contrary, It is important to read biblical texts in context, with adequate hermeneutics, and to remember that they invite us to “cultivate and keep” the garden of the world “.

Go from words to acts

Environmental justice “can no longer be considered an abstract concept. a world creation day: “environmental justice distant objective, still writes Léon XIV, It represents an urgent necessity, which goes beyond the simple environmental protection ”. The bishop of Rome thus recalls “that it is really time to spend lyrics to the acts». For believers. to live the vocation of protectors of creation, work of God “is an essential part of a virtuous existence». This makes it possible to germinate many seeds of justice, thus contributing to peace and hope.

Among the green examples. Léon XIV cites the village Laudato yes at Castel Gandolfo, wanted by François and whom he visited a few weeks ago. The encyclical of the Argentinian pope is still an inspiration for many, including beyond the church. “”That it continues to inspire us. that full ecology is increasingly chosen and shared as a way to follow, concludes the pope, Thus will multiply the seeds of hope, to “keep and cultivate” with the grace world creation day: “environmental justice of our great and unwavering hope, the resurrected Christ “.