Caring for the Integrity of Creation through Ecology

[ INTRODUCTION ] [ JUSTICE ] [ PEACE ] [ ECOLOGY ] [ WHY WE CARE ] [ PRAYING NATURE ]

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Water who is very useful, and humble, and precious, and chaste.
- St. Francis of Assisi

2010: International Year of Biodiversity

Biodiversity consists of all life on earth; human beings as well as the huge variety of other animals and plants, the places they live and their surrounding environments, all over the world. We rely on this diversity of life to provide us with the food, fuel, medicine and other essentials we simply cannot live without. Yet this rich diversity is being lost at a greatly accelerated rate because of human activities. This impoverishes us all and weakens the ability of the living systems, on which we depend, to resist growing threats such as climate change.

The United Nations proclaimed 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity, and people all over the world are working to safeguard this irreplaceable natural wealth and reduce its loss. Healthy biodiversity is vital for current and future human wellbeing. We need to do more. Now is the time to act.

The International Year of Biodiversity is a unique opportunity to increase our understanding of the vital role that biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth. Click here to find out more about the International Year of Biodiversity including the following themes:

1. The important role biodiversity plays in our lives and what is happening to it.
2. What people are doing around the world to combat biodiversity loss.
3. How people are celebrating the International Year of Biodiversity.
4. Some of the resources available to you in your celebrations.

Take Action in 2010 and beyond, because Biodiversity is life. Biodiversity is our life

For more information, visit the International Union for Conservation of Nature website

Christmas on the Road - Action to Protect Natural Resources in Brazil

by Br. Fábio L’Amour Ferreira OFM

In future, wars may be fought over water as potable water becomes more and more scarce. Water is one of the elements most necessary for survival of life on the planet. Water serves not only humans, for industry and farming, but also all of creation: animals, plants, forests, climate and the entire environment.

We take water so much for granted expecting it to flow freely when we turn on the tap. We forget that water passes through a complex process before it reaches our homes, and it needs to be protected especially at source. In Brazil, our water sources are being destroyed by deforestation.

The friars of Santa Cruz Province (state of Minas Gerais) initiated an environmental action about 10 years ago to help protect natural resources against deforestation, especially the sources of important rivers.

In 2000 we began with a 100 km walk. We walked about 20 km a day for 5 days to the source of the Saint Francis River. Every year since, we have taken a group of about 90 people (friars and lay people) on a walk through the region to reflect on the Integrity of Creation in Franciscan spirituality, and to talk with the people and authorities of the region about the importance of water sources, the preservation of natural resources and the dangers of deforestation. We call it the “Franciscan Walk.”

For Christmas 2007, Br. Adelmo Francisco started a new walk in another region of Minas Gerais along the course of the Itanhém River. He walked 300 km from the source of the river to its mouth alone. The following year, he walked the same route with another friar and named this new walk “Christmas on the Road.” It calls attention to the same issues, preservation of natural resources and deforestation, but there is a difference: an advance group of priests and people from the ecclesial communities along the river course come together to help the Franciscan pilgrims in this environmental activity. This year the walk started on December 12th at the source of the Itanhém River and finished January 3rd at the mouth of the river with a “Water Forum” on issues related to the Itanhém River. Representatives came from all 19 cities and villages visited during the walk. They discussed concrete action to preserve water and avoid deforestation.

These environmental walks have helped us Franciscans to learn a new form of evangelization, very much tied to our Franciscan spirituality. They involve the people, communities and authorities of the region. A group of friars is planning to repeat “Christmas on the Road” every year, and we hope that it will soon attract as many people as the Franciscan Walk to the Saint Francis River.

Franciscan Ecological Project "Stoutenburg"

Improving the relationship between humanity and nature
The 'Franciscan Ecological Project' has been in operation since 1991 in "Stoutenburg" near Amersfoort, The Netherlands. The purpose of this project is to improve the relationship between people and nature, a relationshp which has become seriously distorted leading to many problems for people and for the environmental context of life itself. In the Stoutenburg grounds which cover about thirty acres, the Foundation offers people the opportunity to restore their relationship with nature and environment in practice and by reflection.

A religious perspective
The Project maintains that the relationship between humans and the environment can be truly changed and renewed radically, provided the effort is based on a spirituality, a religious perspective which is nourished by the essential relationship of all creatures with one another and with the Creator. The spirituality of Saint Francis and Clare of Assisi is for us a powerful source of inspiration.

The community: common day life
The community consists of adults and children that share the above mentioned spirituality as laid out in a religious way of life, with a balanced mix of activities and meditation, privacy and social life. It maintains a household, which is environment-friendly: the members grow vegetables and fruits in an ecological kitchen garden.

Activities
Furthermore, the community also provides an opportunity for those who wish to join the project for a shorter period. It organises activities and runs courses, which deal with environment and spirituality. About a hundred volunteers join the community annually for a shorter or longer period of time. Twice a year the programme of activities on Spirituality and Ecology is published (in Dutch).

Basics and reflection
The 'Franciscan Ecological Project' Foundation is responsible for both the objectives and the material requirements of the project. In addition, the Foundation promotes reflection on the experiences of the community and the volunteers through workshops and through publications. To do this the Foundation relies on gifts and donations. To pay the rent for the grounds and the premises the Foundation rents out the Coach-house and a part of the Castle itself as a small-scale and environment-friendly conference-centre.

Networking on Religion and Nature & Environment
One of the activities of the Foundation was the development of a guide to more than 60 organisations and individuals active in the field of Religion and Nature & Environment. The guide consists of three circles: A first circle with Franciscan-oriented addresses. A second circle contains addresses of people and organisations in the Christian field. A third circle of those active in the more general field of Religion & Ecology. Visit "Stoutenburg"

Francis - A Saint for Ecologists

Famous painting of St Francis preaching to the birds by the artist Giotto in the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi

In 1979 Pope John Paul II declared St Francis of Assisi to be the Patron Saint of those who promote Ecology.St Francis came to view all created things as his brothers and sisters, loved into existence by God, our one Father. He celebrated how we are related to our Sister Mother Earth, on whom we depend. In a Franciscan view of the world, every element in the universe is related and interdependent: humans, animals, flowers, birds, insects, water, trees, fish, rocks, even the climate. As brothers and sisters to each other, we have a responsibility to care for one another.

We can make a difference

To care better for our Sister Mother Earth, check out and see howwe can reduceour inpidual and collective carbon footprint?
How can we safeguard and promote biodiversity where we liveand elsewhere?

Franciscans caring for the earth

Read about how Franciscans at the UN are advocating for earth-care at Franciscans International.

Eco-Parishes

Integrity of Creation Read about how Christian parishes are responding in positive ways tothe environmental challenge by visiting eco-congregations.