As we move into a new chapter of the life of our Catholic community, it is good to pause and give thanks for the wonderful gift that was the papacy of Pope Francis. Among his most notable teachings is Laudato Si', the tenth anniversary of which we mark this year. For generations to come it will inspire us to care for our common home and to respond heart and soul to ‘both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.’
What is Laudato Si'?
In 2015, Pope Francis released his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’, which focused on the urgent need to address climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequalities.
At its core, Laudato Si’ stresses the interconnectedness of all life. Pope Francis reminds us that everything in nature is linked, from the ecosystems that sustain life to the social and economic systems that affect the most vulnerable. He emphasises that environmental damage often disproportionately harms the most vulnerable, and he called for solidarity with those most affected by pollution, deforestation and climate change. He links the predicament of the poor to the predicament of Earth.
The encyclical is also a powerful critique of consumerism and the ‘throwaway culture’ that prioritises short-term gain over long-term sustainability. It is a call for individuals, governments, and businesses to embrace sustainable practices, reduce waste, and promote a more just economy that respects both human dignity and the environment.
What is Laudato Si’ Week?
Every year the Catholic Church marks the anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical during Laudato Si’ Week, which unites thousands of people worldwide with the common goal of protecting creation.
This global celebration unites Catholics to listen and respond together to the cry of creation, and to intensify our efforts through the Laudato Si’ Action Platform as well as other opportunities for education and action.
In Australia, Laudato Si’ Week takes place from the 17th – 24th of May. This year, Laudato Si’ Week is extra special as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’ in a Year of Jubilee, something which is celebrated every 25 years in the Catholic Church. Our focus this year is on debt, and the impact debt has on earth and each other.
In the spirit of this Jubilee Year, I urge the international community to work towards forgiving foreign debt in recognition of the ecological debt existing between the North and the South of this world. This is an appeal for solidarity, but above all for justice.
Prayer and reflection resources for Laudato Si’ Week
To help you celebrate Laudato Si’ Week, we have prepared resources to guide you on your reflection and action. These include:
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Laudato Si’ Week – Parish Resources: includes a Parish PowerPoint, Discussion Guide, Bulletin Notice, Prayer Bookmark and Social Media Tiles to share
Chiquito can now produce a wide variety of crops and earn income to support his family. Photo: Tim Lam/Caritas Australia
Petition to turn debt into hope
The Turn Debt into Hope campaign, supported by Caritas Australia and other Caritas agencies in the global confederation, urges wealthy nations and financial institutions to cancel unsustainable debts in low-income countries. Debt repayments often prevent governments from investing in the future of their citizens, trapping them in a cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.
Over 100 countries face a debt crisis, with 65% of their debt controlled by private lenders. 60% of low-income countries at or near debt distress (United Nations). 
By singing the petition, you are joining thousands of people from around the globe in calling on world leaders, public, private, and multilateral institutions to:
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Stop the debt crisis now by cancelling and remedying unjust and unsustainable debts, without economic policy conditions.
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Prevent debt crises from happening again by addressing their root causes, reforming the global financial system to prioritise people and the planet.
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Establish a permanent, transparent, binding and comprehensive debt framework within the United Nations.
This Jubilee Year, join us and the global Caritas family to speak up and demand real change.
Turn the debt into hope
