Diocesan News
The theme for Laudato Si’ Week this year was Raise Hope – inspired by the Jubilee Year and its theme – Pilgrims of Hope.
This year Laudato Si’ Week is extra special as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ in the Year of Jubilee. It is also a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude the incredible inspiration of Pope Francis in caring for our common home.
In line with the biblical tradition of Jubilee, our action focus this year is debt, and the impact debt has on earth and each other. Through the global campaign, Turn Debt into Hope, we invite you to stand with us during Laudato Si’ Week and beyond. Together, we can Turn Debt into Hope and build a more just world.
Every day during Laudato Si’ week, there was an action tile that reflects on the words of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’ and take action. These can be continued throughout time.
Saturday, May 24 – Laudato Si’ Week Day 8:
We mark the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’ and give thanks to Pope Francis. May we all take care of our common home.
Action: Pray. A prayer for our earth
Friday, May 23 – Laudato Si’ Week Day 7:
Action: Support local businesses and farmer markets to build a stronger, more resilient local economy and foster community connections.
Thursday, May 22 – Laudato Si’ Week Day 6:
Action: Explore local initiatives you can support that provide care to the most vulnerable members of your community.
Wednesday, May 21 – Laudato Si’ Week Day 5:
Action: Become an Earthcare household, parish, organisation or school and create your own Laudato Si’ Action Plan. Learn more here
Tuesday, May 20 – Laudato Si’ Week Day 4:
Some countries are spending more repaying unjust debt than on healthcare or education.
Action: Sign our ‘Turn Debt into Hope’ petition www.caritas.org.au/debt-petition
Monday, May 19 – Laudato Si’ Week Day 3:
Action: Spend time showing love and respect to God’s creation by collecting rubbish in your local area and/or organise a group to plant some trees in your local area.
Sunday, May 18 – Laudato Si’ Week Day 2:
Action: Go for a walk in nature and reflect upon the natural beauty that surrounds you.
Saturday, May 17 – Laudato Si’ Week Day 1:
Today we celebrate the beginning of Laudato Si’ Week in Australia. Follow along each day as we reflect on the words of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’ and take action.
Action: Watch the CAFOD Jubilee 2025 Debt animation.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’
Refresh your memory – Laudato Si’ Encyclical
Bishop Paul acknowledged the 10th anniversary with the following letter to parishes:
Dear Friends,
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical on care for our common home. Since its release in 2015, Laudato Si’ has awakened the global Church to the urgent moral and spiritual call to care for God’s creation and to stand in solidarity with those most affected by environmental degradation.
We encourage every parish in our diocese to mark this milestone with prayer, education and community engagement. Here are a few suggested ways to commemorate the anniversary:
- Celebrate a special Mass or prayer service in thanksgiving for creation and to pray for ecological justice.
- Host a reading group or reflection series on Laudato Si’ or Pope Francis’ recent follow-up, Laudate Deum.
- Engage youth and families with stewardship projects, such as tree planting, clean-up days or energy audits.
- Collaborate with local partners to support sustainable initiatives and advocate for policies that protect the environment and vulnerable communities.
We also include a Catholic Earthcare Caritas Australia Laudato Si’ Card Set to acknowledge the anniversary. This resource aims to deepen understanding of integral ecology by reflecting on the Laudato Si’ Goals. Changing climate and recurring natural disasters have a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities around the world. Caritas Australia works with local partners to develop programs to assist vulnerable communities to adapt and to tackle the challenges of a changing climate.
Let this 10th anniversary be a moment of grace and renewal in our journey toward integral ecology. May our actions, big and small, bear witness to the Gospel and our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation.
With gratitude,
Bishop Paul Bird – Bishop of Ballarat
Sandra Dillon writes a reflection:
10 Years of Laudato Si has been celebrated during the week of May 16 -24 in Australia. This encyclical, a letter to not only Catholics but to the whole world, speaking of the damage to our common home, the changing climate, pollution, deforestation, increasing water scarcity, biodiversity loss, economic inequity and the poor who suffer the most from the decline in every aspect of their quality of life forcing the increasing migration of millions with all the associated risks.
In Australia, we have been led by Earthcare Australia, auspiced by Caritas in the person of very committed Kerry Stone, who facilitates individuals, parishes and dioceses across Australia in zoom discussions on the social justice actions we can undertake to care for our common home.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope in Australia, Caritas is asking us to support a renewed call for justice, equity and economic reform through the Turn Debt into Hope Campaign. This is a campaign to work towards forgiving foreign debt in recognition of the ecological debt existing between the North and the South of this world (Caritas). Everyone can sign the petition on the Caritas Australia website under “ Petition to turn debt into hope.”
Everyone can be part of these online Earthcare sessions to support each other who alone or in groups and parishes, are caring and working for all who are suffering now and for future generations, who will shoulder the burdens of our lack of action now.
To enrol, simply go to the Caritas Australia website, Catholic Earthcare section HERE.
The Federation of Asian Bishops Conference Pastoral (FABC) Letter to the Local Churches of Asia on the Care of Creation also reflected on the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’ and the urgency of responding to the ecological crisis of this time, describing the ongoing destruction of rainforests by illegal logging, agricultural expansion and mining and the displacement of communities due to sea-level rises threatening entire villages, with millions facing the threats of climate-induced migration. Water and food insecurity and economic hardship are also results of extreme weather events. The Asian Bishops ask that “beyond debt relief, however, what is truly needed is a comprehensive review of the entire system of international loaning—one that prioritizes the wellbeing of debtor countries rather than perpetuating cycles of dependence and financial subjugation. Economic justice demands that financial institutions and lending nations rethink unfair structures that constrain climate action and sustainable development in the Global South.”
We are also invited to be part of the global Laudato Si’ Movement, where we are invited to join in regular zoom prayer, reflection and discussions sessions led by Cheryl Dugan, a wonderful facilitator from the Philippines and joined by many in the Asia Pacific region, as well as other global discussion sessions. Register at the Laudato Si’ Movement website AT THIS LINK.
Videos that can be viewed on You Tube:
In memory of Pope Francis: 10 years of Laudato Si’ – Raising Hope for Climate Justice
Laudato Si’ Contemplative Vigil 2025 (February 2025)
Global Celebration of Laudato Si’ Week (due 30th May 2025)
Prayer for Laudato Si Week
Loving God, You created all people to be equal.
Yet, throughout the world many are struggling to find even the most basic things they need:
food, water, safety and education.
Many poor countries owe enormous debts to wealthy countries and companies,
and millions of vulnerable people suffer as a result.
In this Year of Jubilee, when we are called to be pilgrims of hope,
we pray for greater justice.
We pray that we might do our part to challenge unjust situations that
cause harm to so many of your people around the world.
May we work to ensure that earth is truly a common home for everyone,
shared by all and enjoyed in security.
May we be instruments of your peace and builders of the kingdom
of which Jesus spoke in your name. Amen.
Caritas Australia & the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Office for Justice, Ecology & Peace