July 19 – 23, 2015
University of Portland
“God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good” – Genesis 1:31
All creation is a gift from God. Creation includes humanity, nature and what we have created. Creation is shared by all and we have a responsibility to care for this gift. The Catholic Church teaches that the environment is a collective good and a common responsibility – “Care for the environment represents a challenge for all humanity. It is a matter of a common and universal day, that of respecting the common good.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church – Par 466.
A month ago, Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home was released on June 18. It included the following appeal.
All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents. Par 14.
Today begins the Social Action Summer Institute 2015 at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. Nearly 250 individuals from across the United State to reflect on Pope Francis’ appeal and what we as people of faith can do. The theme for the conference is Cherishing Creation: Called to the Common Good.
I will be attending and will be posting what takes place.
In Christ and Peace,
John