To commemorate the Season of Creation, Caritas Australia is launching a practical guide to support Catholic parishes, organisations, schools, individuals and households across Australia in developing their own Laudato Si’ Action Plan.

The Australian Guide to Laudato Si' Action Planning will be officially introduced at Caritas Australia’s upcoming online launch of Season of Creation on September 4 at 6:00 PM AEST.

The guide is a new offering as part of Caritas Australia’s Catholic Earthcare program and outlines a 4-step cycle of self-assessment, reflection, planning and action that complements the global Laudato Si’ Action Platform. Catholic Earthcare offers this guide along with the ongoing support of Caritas Australia’s Earthcare Specialists and Australia-wide Earthcare Communities, fostering networks of support.

“The Australian Bishops are pleased to endorse Caritas Australia’s leadership of our collective action towards ecological justice. Its long-running Catholic Earthcare program provides specialist support and hosts dedicated communities for Catholic individuals, households, schools, parishes and organisations throughout Australia. This means that Catholic Earthcare is well-placed to accompany us as we each join the worldwide Laudato Si’ Action Platform and develop and implement our various Laudato Si’ Action Plans.” – Bishop Vincent Long, Chair, Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service.

The launch coincides with the Season of Creation, a worldwide, ecumenical movement that celebrates God’s gift of our common home. This year, the theme is 'Let Justice and Peace Flow'. Drawing on the river imagery described in Amos 5:24, it challenges us to act for ecological justice, creating change and speaking out with communities most impacted by rising sea levels, biodiversity losses and other consequences of climate injustice.

"At Caritas Australia, we believe that collective action is key to addressing today's environmental challenges. Through our Australian Guide to Laudato Si' Action Planning and with the support of the Catholic Earthcare Community, we invite everyone to embrace Pope Francis's call for ecological conversion and forging networks of mutual support. Together, as one global community, we can sow the seeds of hope and cultivate a more sustainable, harmonious world for all." – Kirsty Robertson, CEO, Caritas Australia. 

To join the Catholic Earthcare Community and receive your free Australian Guide to Laudato Si’ Action Planning visit: www.caritas.org.au/LSAP-Guide

To learn more about Catholic Earthcare visit: www.caritas.org.au/catholic-earthcare

To register for Caritas Australia’s online launch of Season of Creation visit: https://www.trybooking.com/CJUOQ .

Media contact: Mark Harding 0422 531 587 / mark.harding@caritas.org.au