Laudato Si, the Sequel?

 Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

from Canticle of the Sun -- St. Francis of Assisi 

Yesterday I saw a headline in a Roman Catholic news service that certainly intrigued me: Pope Francis writing a second environmental document after Laudato Si’. The papal encyclical called Laudato Si, or Praise Be to You was published in 2015 and in my estimation it is the most profound response to the environmental crisis I've read from any denominational source. It is actually a broad yet nuanced theological statement about Creator and Creation and our human response in terms of both praise and action. 

When it was first shared with the world in May of 2015 I resolved to read all of it, which I did while on a week of educational leave in July of that year. I travelled to Change Islands, Newfoundland, close to where I began ministry in 1980. I made my way through through the document while sitting outside, even though it was a frigid week and I was forced to wrapped myself in a blanket and wore a toque to keep from perishing.

In the Fall of 2015 I created a four-part study series at Bridge St. Church which was well attended and during which conversation was lively. One participant was a Roman Catholic who was not impressed that her priest chose not to announce our study even though our two congregations were just down the block from each other. So much for ecumenism.  

St. Francis Illustration by David Frampton 

According to the National Catholic Register, yesterday: 

Pope Francis announced during an audience with lawyers Monday that he is writing a second part to his 2015 environmental encyclical Laudato si’. The Pope said with this new writing, coming soon, he is updating Laudato si’ to cover current issues, possibly including war...

The title [Laudato Si], which means “Praise be to you,” was taken from St. Francis of Assisi’s medieval Italian prayer Canticle of the Sun, which praises God through elements of creation like Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and “our Sister Mother Earth.”

As it happens, last week we visited with friends we haven't seen in at least 15 years. He mentioned that he has become more interested in the Roman Catholic tradition because of a professor friend who is training to be a deacon. I suggested that Laudato Si may be Pope Francis' greatest legacy. I look forward to reading the "sequel." 

In the year 2000, the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si I preached a sermon which concluded with a prayer for the occasion: 

Common prayer for the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’

Loving God,

Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them,

You created us in your image and made us stewards of all your creation, of our common home.

You blessed us with the sun, water and bountiful land so that all might be nourished.

Open our minds and touch our hearts,

so that we may attend to your gift of creation.

 Help us to be conscious that our common home belongs not only to us,

but to all future generations, and that it is our responsibility to preserve it.

May we help each person secure the food and resources that they need.

Be present to those in need in these trying times,

especially the poorest and those most at risk of being left behind.

Transform our fear, anxiety and feelings of isolation into hope

 so that we may experience a true conversion of the heart.

elp us to show creative solidarity in addressing the consequences of this global pandemic,

Make us courageous to embrace the changes that are needed in search of the common good,

Now more than ever may we feel that we are all interconnected,

 in our efforts to lift up the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.

We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen