Wednesday, October 04, 2023

Laudate Deum Pope Francis


Today is the Feast of St. Francis`, the namesake of the current pope. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of the environment and had a unique love for God's creatures. Fittingly, October 4th is the last day of the liturgical Season of Creation which is also known as Creation Time or Creationtide. 

Pope Francis chose this day to release his follow-up to the environmental encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home. This document is Laudate Deum and again the first Latin word is "praise" drawing on the Prayer of St. Francis and a number of psalms. 

I haven't had the opportunity to read this much shorter sequel, but I will. I'll share my thoughts when I'm able. In the meantime, here is one assessment of the key points of Laudate Deum.

https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/laudate-deum-a-brief-guide-for-busy

One of Pope Francis' close advisers and a spokesperson on environmental issues is Cardinal Michael Czerny, a Canadian. In the National Catholic Register Earthbeat report quotes Czerny

Cardinal Czerny... told NCR via email that in the new exhortation, the pope "challenges our leaders to lead us in the real changes that are urgently needed so that the climate crisis won't get even worse." He added that the exhortation also "invites everyone actively to push our government(s) in this direction."

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