In a piece published in Global Sisters Report, a project of The National Catholic Reporter, Franciscan Sister Joan Brown of Albuquerque, director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, offers an encouraged reacttion to Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment Laudato Si. On Care for Our Common Home. Sister Joan draws a connection between the encyclical and an outing she was leading with an interfaith group of women in New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness.
Prepared to be given a bird’s eye view of the concerns of environmental devastation, climate change, poverty and structures that create our ongoing dilemma, I am surprised to be given an eagle’s eye view of our reality that is sharp and in places so specific it causes discomfort. There are many invitations to conversion, a very Franciscan virtue.
Laudato Si’ begins to sing through me like the ancient Canticle of Creation by St. Francis of Assisi. My organizer’s mind imagines how this document can be of service. Laudato Si’ can add a moral perspective to a number of issues including: the Clean Power Plan the EPA will give to states in August; the Congressional appropriation of money for the Green Climate Fund to assist our brothers and sisters who are economically challenged and affected most by climate change; the mobilization of people of faith and conscience to raise a moral and ethical imperative for world leaders to agree upon a binding global treaty on climate change in Paris at the end of the year. (See IPL Paris Pledge to lend your voice.) Read full article
Upcoming Opportunities to Discuss the Encyclical
Lunch Panel on July 7, First Presbyterian Church, I-25 and Martin Luther King Blvd. 11:30-1:00, featuring Msgr. Olona, Larry Rasmussen and Sister Joan Brown
July 14: Press Conference led by New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light
For more information on the two events, contact Sister Joan Brown (joankansas@swcp.com)
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