Pope Benedict XVI also highlighted Australia's readiness "to respond to a growing variety of exigencies in a principled, responsible and innovative manner."
"Not least of these are the menacing threats to God's creation itself through climate change. Perhaps more than ever before in our human history the fundamental relationship between Creator, Creation and Creature needs to be pondered and respected."
Pope Benedict XVI
The Social Justice Statement for 2009PDF Download = 1.9MB
TRUE ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE PRO-LIFE, SAYS POPEAffirms Ecology Issue Should Be Set in Larger Framework
Benedict XVI says efforts to protect the environment cannot be opposed to human life and safeguarding the dignity of the person.
The Pope took up this theme today when he delivered his traditional New Year address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See...more.
As we begin a New Year and look towards a new decade, it’s natural for us to take a few moments to make some resolutions about 
what we might do to make our world a better place this year. Perhaps yourresolution involves addressing an issue of importanceto your own life – losing weight, quitting smoking, getting more exercise. Fabulous! But what if someone told you that bymaking a resolution to live more simply, and then actually following through on your resolution with concrete action, you could contribute in a real way to world peace? World peace – now that’s a New Year’s Resolution...more.
If you want to cultivate peace, protect creationPope Benedict XVI's message for the celebration of World Day of Peace. Please click here for more on this very important and powerful peace message.
At the beginning of this New Year, I wish to offer heartfelt greetings of peace to all Christian communities, international leaders, and people of good will throughout the world. For this XLIII World Day of Peace I have chosen the theme: If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation. Respect for creation is of immense consequence, not least because “creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God’s works”...more.
Statement of the Catholic Bishops on the Climate Change The Bishops of Australia join with Pope Benedict XVI in commending all those involved in the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark to work for the future wellbeing of creation and human development by finding ways that "are respectful of creation and that will promote a joint development based on human dignity and for the common good"...more
BenedictAs world leaders gathered for the UN's climate summit in Copenhagen from today, Pope Benedict is urging for an attitude of respect and responsibility for creation.
Benedict said Sunday he hoped the meeting would outline actions that respect creation and promote development while respecting human dignity and the common good, the Associated Press reported.
For the safeguarding all of creation, Benedict urged the adoption of "sober and responsible lifestyles, above all towards the poor and future generations," according to the Catholic News Agency....more
Pontiff: Christmas a Feast of Restored CreationThe Holy Father referred to John 1:14 -- "He pitched his tent among us" -- and commented: "Gregory applies this passage about the tent to the tent of our body, which has become worn out and weak, exposed everywhere to pain and suffering. And he applies it to the whole universe, torn and disfigured by sin. What would he say if he could see the state of the world today, through the abuse of energy and its selfish and reckless exploitation.
"Thus, according to Gregory's vision, the stable in the Christmasmessage represents the ill-treated world. What Christ rebuilds is no ordinary
palace. He came to restore beauty and dignity to creation, to the universe: This is what began at Christmas andmakes the angels rejoice. The earth is restored to good order by virtue of the fact that it is opened up to God, it obtains its true light anew, and in the harmony between human will and divine will, in the unification of height and depth, it regains its beauty and dignity. Thus Christmas is a feast of restored creation."...more
2009 Social Justice Sunday StatementYoung people are concerned about the ongoing degradation of the environment. From the Murray-Darling Basin across to the Great Barrier Reef, they see God’s creation in peril. They look to our generation and ask what we have bequeathed them. Our young people are inheriting a world in which the climate is changing, water is becoming scarce, food is more difficult to grow, and in too many cases life itself is endangered more.
Jacqui Remond, Director Catholic Earthcare Australia speaks to Sky News 23rd May 2009
Ecological Conversion Programmes
ASSISI
Catholic Earthcare Australia
Qalehong
Catholic Bible College
Johannesburg
Tshwarelo
Catholic Bible College
Johannesburg
Prayers of Intercession
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
The restoration of the health of the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Darling and other rivers of the Basin is one of the most urgent issues facing our country, says Bishop Chris Toohey, chair of Catholic Earthcare. More here...
Visit our Homilies & Speeches page to hear Bishop Chris Toohey's talk on "Living and Caring for Space Ship Earth".
PLEASE NOTE: our url has changed: the new address is: catholicearthcare.org.au
Please change this link in your bookmarks or favourites list.
Photos from the WYD/Earthcare event can be seen HERE