The living legacy of Laudato Si'
Despite the noisy splattering of news headlines on the surface, Laudato Si' set in motion a powerful undercurrent that is sweeping through the ocean. Or, rather, it dramatically accelerated an undercurrent that was already underway. Jun 06, 2025
Pope Francis plants a tree in the Vatican Gardens October 4, 2019. (Laudato Si'Movement)
By Tomás InsuaDespite the noisy splattering of news headlines on the surface, Laudato Si' set in motion a powerful undercurrent that is sweeping through the ocean. Or, rather, it dramatically accelerated an undercurrent that was already underway. • The birth of the global Laudato Si'Movement, with its nearly 20,000 grassroots leaders trained as Laudato Si' animators, and of ecclesial networks regionally. • Countless projects in parishes and local communities to install renewable energy, divest from fossil fuels, and other tangible steps, supported by the Vatican's Laudato Si' Action Platform. • Beautiful artistic interpretations of the encyclical, such as the film 'The Letter: A Message for Our Earth' by an Oscarwinning company. • Academic ventures such as the joint diploma in integral ecology by pontifical universities in Rome or the Laudato Si' Research Institute at Oxford University in England. • The ASSISI Terra Laudato Si' initiative in the Franciscan sanctuaries of Assisi, Italy. The list goes on and on. Moreover, Francis coupled the Laudato Si' release with an equally important sister. Just a few weeks after publishing the encyclical, he instituted the World Day of Prayer for Creation on Sept 1 — also known as Creation Day or the Feast of Creation — in response to an invitation of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Through annual statements marking that special day, Francis continued to motivate the church to bring Laudato Si' to life in collaboration with fellow Christian churches, also as part of the larger Season of Creation celebrations throughout September. Thousands of parishes and local communities celebrate it every year. The most important legacy of Laudato Si' will be the decisive attention it brought to the spiritual and moral roots of these interconnected crises. Given the sheer scale of this mess, it is imperative to address those root causes.
The theology and spirituality of Laudato Si' are beginning to permeate the ethos of the Catholic Church. That is the powerful undercurrent in the ocean. Slowly but steadily, creation is gaining more attention in Christian spirituality, theology, liturgy and catechesis, with countless books and initiatives underway. Creation Day on Sept. 1, in particular, stands out for its potential to become a liturgical feast in many Christian churches, grounded in ancient and rich symbolism in the Eastern Church. Tomás Insua, --NCR
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Herald Malaysia
2 days ago
- Herald Malaysia
The living legacy of Laudato Si'
Despite the noisy splattering of news headlines on the surface, Laudato Si' set in motion a powerful undercurrent that is sweeping through the ocean. Or, rather, it dramatically accelerated an undercurrent that was already underway. Jun 06, 2025 Pope Francis plants a tree in the Vatican Gardens October 4, 2019. (Laudato Si'Movement) By Tomás InsuaDespite the noisy splattering of news headlines on the surface, Laudato Si' set in motion a powerful undercurrent that is sweeping through the ocean. Or, rather, it dramatically accelerated an undercurrent that was already underway. • The birth of the global Laudato Si'Movement, with its nearly 20,000 grassroots leaders trained as Laudato Si' animators, and of ecclesial networks regionally. • Countless projects in parishes and local communities to install renewable energy, divest from fossil fuels, and other tangible steps, supported by the Vatican's Laudato Si' Action Platform. • Beautiful artistic interpretations of the encyclical, such as the film 'The Letter: A Message for Our Earth' by an Oscarwinning company. • Academic ventures such as the joint diploma in integral ecology by pontifical universities in Rome or the Laudato Si' Research Institute at Oxford University in England. • The ASSISI Terra Laudato Si' initiative in the Franciscan sanctuaries of Assisi, Italy. The list goes on and on. Moreover, Francis coupled the Laudato Si' release with an equally important sister. Just a few weeks after publishing the encyclical, he instituted the World Day of Prayer for Creation on Sept 1 — also known as Creation Day or the Feast of Creation — in response to an invitation of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Through annual statements marking that special day, Francis continued to motivate the church to bring Laudato Si' to life in collaboration with fellow Christian churches, also as part of the larger Season of Creation celebrations throughout September. Thousands of parishes and local communities celebrate it every year. The most important legacy of Laudato Si' will be the decisive attention it brought to the spiritual and moral roots of these interconnected crises. Given the sheer scale of this mess, it is imperative to address those root causes. The theology and spirituality of Laudato Si' are beginning to permeate the ethos of the Catholic Church. That is the powerful undercurrent in the ocean. Slowly but steadily, creation is gaining more attention in Christian spirituality, theology, liturgy and catechesis, with countless books and initiatives underway. Creation Day on Sept. 1, in particular, stands out for its potential to become a liturgical feast in many Christian churches, grounded in ancient and rich symbolism in the Eastern Church. Tomás Insua, --NCR
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The call to evangelise
Every baptised Catholic has the responsibility to catechise, to aid building a relationship with God. As we mature in our faith, we cannot be just a devotional or cultural Church but we must form a thinking Church. Jun 06, 2025 Fr Terence Kesavan asking a young participant some questions By Jennifer DuerteEvery baptised Catholic has the responsibility to catechise, to aid building a relationship with God. As we mature in our faith, we cannot be just a devotional or cultural Church but we must form a thinking Terence Kesavan, Director of the Office for Catechesis (OFC) from the Archdiocese of Singapore, stressed this at formations sessions at the Church of St Michael, May there is a curriculum for catechesis in the whole of Malaysia, Fr Terence said that it should be used only as a guide as every diocese, every parish, every class, every teacher and every child to be catechsed is Terence pointed out a glaring truth about the norm among Catholics and those of our separated brethren. While the latter have high expectations for each of their disciples, Catholics aim for the bare minimum (as can be seen in the CCC 2041 -2043). These references in the Catechism of the Catholic Church refer to the five precepts of the Catholic reiterated that Catholics today cannot afford to be lackadaisical in their way of life. Catholics should do more so that the norm is raised. The aim of Catechesis is to become disciples and learn the discipline of discipleship. There are five areas of growth in Christian living – evangelisation, teaching, service, community and fellowship and prayer and liturgy. To develop a better understanding of these areas, he encouraged all Catholics to read Rick Warren's The Purpose-Driven Life so that we would be able to reflect on our lives and answer questions like 'What Am I here for?', 'How am I doing?' and 'Where am I going?'.Fr Terence matched the six Covenants of God with mankind, from Adam and Eve to Jesus, with the different stages of maturity in spiritual growth from infancy to adulthood, stressing that there was every possibility that an adult Catholic may not be spiritually mature. Catechists were then divided into groups of three where they discussed what would happen in each stage of maturity for each of the five areas of growth in Christian living.'It was an eye-opener for me,' said one of the participants, 'as I have come to realise that I am not mature in my spiritual life at all! I really need to be serious about my faith and work towards becoming an adult in all the five areas of growth in Christian living. I need to know this so that I can help my catechism kids to aim higher and gain maturity in their spiritual life.'Fr Terence also stressed on spiritual accompaniment of catechists with those whom they catechised, the goal of which was to help the latter discover who God had made them to be. There were five dimensions to this, namely, spiritual (prayer), human (understanding of self), intellectual, pastoral (service) and connect with God, Fr Terence introduced the nine pathways to God, referring to the book Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas. The catechists answered a series of questions and discovered how they really connected with God. Although knowing how they connected with God was good, they were encouraged to try the other ways to connect with God of the participants shared, 'I am so glad to know that enjoying nature is one of the ways that I can connect with God and it is not wrong. I don't really say a lot of prayers, but I enjoy watching sunsets and even see beauty in the formation of clouds. I am a naturalist and find God in nature.'Fr Terence went on to talk about the culture of evangelisation and how Catholics were wary of evangelising, spreading the Good News, for various reasons. He stressed that it is our duty to evangelise, especially since we have benefitted from those who have shared the Good News with us and we are convinced that Christ died to save us from sin and we are expected to evangelise to non-Catholics, re-evangelise to inactive Catholics and share testimonies with active Catholics. We are all called to evangelise because it is a participation in Jesus' RCIA was concerned, he advised that it was an Initiation so it was important that each topic was introduced not too deeply. The enquirers were being initiated into Christianity (knowing Christ), a family (knowing each other) and a way of life (knowing themselves). They had to be informed that formation continued, even after the RCIA process. Accompaniment, however, was of the essence throughout the journey. The roles of sponsors, companions and godparents were therefore very important in the whole process, from the period of evangelisation and pre-catechumenate to the period of post-baptismal Catechesis or the formation sessions, the catechists were spirited with the great responsibility they held in sharing the faith through the discipline of discipling and evangelising, not only with the catechism kids but with all around them.
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We must choose our environmental legacy right now
World Environmental Day reminds us annually, but environmental stewardship must become a daily practice woven into life's fabric Jun 05, 2025 More than 2,000 events are taking place across the globe, with many focused on ending plastic pollution on World Environment Day. (Photo: By Dr. John Singarayar I watched my neighbor install her third air conditioning unit last summer while complaining about unprecedented heat. Two blocks away, another family planted a vegetable garden and installed solar panels. These contrasting responses to our changing climate reveal where we stand as a species — caught between denial and determination, between old habits and new hope. On World Environmental Day, June 5, we face a choice that will define not just our generation, but everyone that follows. Will we be the ancestors that future children thank, or the ones they struggle to forgive? We are extraordinary creatures living on an extraordinary planet. We have split atoms, touched Mars, and connected minds across continents. We have created artificial intelligence that surpasses human thinking in many ways. Yet we struggle with something apparently simpler: living harmoniously with our natural world. This paradox reveals our greatest challenge — our intelligence has outpaced our wisdom. Indigenous peoples have always understood what we have forgotten: we are not Earth's owners but its caretakers. Our identity intertwines with coral reef health, ancient forest whispers, and mountain stream clarity. We inherit millions of years of evolutionary gifts while bearing responsibility for an unfolding environmental catastrophe that defines us as creatures capable of profound wisdom yet prone to devastating shortsightedness. The current landscape paints a complex picture. Environmental awareness has grown dramatically, renewable energy technologies advance rapidly, and youth movements demand change with unprecedented urgency. These developments offer genuine hope. But shadows loom large. Amazon rainforest destruction continues at alarming rates, carbon emissions hit record highs despite decades of climate summits, and we face undeniable tipping points where consequences become irreversible. Into this tension has stepped an unexpected but powerful voice. Under Pope Francis' leadership, the Catholic Church has emerged as perhaps our most influential advocate for environmental action. Ten years after his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si' , the pope continues to challenge us with uncomfortable truths about our relationship with Earth. He positions ecological care as a fundamental moral imperative, insisting we face not two separate crises — one environmental, the other social — but one complex crisis that is both. This integrated vision transforms climate action from a political issue to a spiritual calling. The Church's influence extends far beyond its 1.3 billion members. Catholic institutions worldwide are implementing sustainable practices, divesting from fossil fuels, and investing in renewable energy. When the pope declares that climate change deniers ignore scientific reality, he provides religious cover for believers to accept climate science without betraying their faith community. His genius lies in grounding environmental action in spiritual language that transcends political divisions, presenting Earth care as fundamental stewardship rather than liberal politics. This moral framework helps bridge a critical gap in environmental action. Yet this moral clarity faces practical resistance. Some argue that technological solutions will save us, that human ingenuity always finds a way. Others claim individual actions matter little against corporate and governmental inaction. Both perspectives contain truth, but both miss the crucial point: we need everything — technological innovation, policy changes, corporate responsibility, and individual transformation — working together simultaneously. Moving forward requires fundamental shifts in how we live and think. We must transition from exploitation to reciprocity, recognizing nature's intrinsic value beyond its utility to humans. This transformation begins with daily decisions that collectively reshape our world. Practically, this means choosing renewable energy providers, eating more plant-based meals, buying less and repairing more. It means supporting companies that prioritize environmental responsibility over maximum profits and voting for leaders who understand climate science. These aren't sacrifices — they're investments in a livable future. But individual action alone is not enough. We must also reclaim the wisdom we have lost. Indigenous communities carry centuries of knowledge about sustainable relationships with Earth, solutions our modern world desperately needs but often ignores in favor of technological fixes. When we listen to voices that have stewarded land for generations, we discover that sustainability is not about restricting human potential but about aligning it with natural systems. Critics might say these changes sound overwhelming or unrealistic, questioning whether individual actions matter when major corporations continue polluting. This thinking represents exactly the trap we must escape. Environmental protection is not an either-or proposition between individual and systemic change — it requires both, working in concert. When can we act? Only now. Environmental action cannot wait for perfect conditions, unanimous agreement, or technological silver bullets. Every decision matters, from morning coffee choices to career paths to retirement investments. World Environmental Day reminds us annually, but environmental stewardship must become a daily practice woven into life's fabric. My neighbor with three air conditioners represents one possible future — denial and consumption despite mounting evidence. The family with solar panels and gardens represents another — adaptation and responsibility in the face of crisis. Each of us chooses which neighbor to become. Our planet has shown remarkable patience, absorbing decades of abuse while continuing to provide life's essentials. But that patience is not infinite. Earth speaks through melting glaciers, burning forests, and rising seas. We must listen and respond with appropriate urgency. The story of our species will be written in how we respond to this crisis. We can choose to be remembered as the generation that finally understood our place in the web of life, or as the one that knew what needed doing but failed to act. Picture your great-grandchildren walking through a world shaped by the choices we make today. Will they breathe clean air and drink pure water? Will they know the songs of birds and the rustle of ancient forests? Or will they inherit a planet stripped of its wonder, forced to explain to their children what we used to call "nature"? The choice is ours. The time is now. The future is watching — and counting on us to choose
