From the Head to the Heart to the Hands

1. “A Catholic Culture: to care for Creation” From the Head to the Heart to the Hands ~ Evangelising through “Environmental Conversion” and ~ Living an “Ecological Vocation in Catholic Schools/Parishes/Agencies. Paul Lucas CaSPA, April 2010

2. “We must undergo an ecological conversion” Pope John Paul II Environmental Conversion (“Seeing with new eyes after a change of heart”) Chris Toohey, 2005 A conversion that is ongoing - in our heads - in our hearts that leads to ACTION at a personal, family and corporate level.

3. Evangelising through Creation: “There is a divine message secretly inscribed in creation, a sign of loving faithfulness of God who gives His creatures being and life, water and food, light and time.” “From created works one ascends . . . . to the greatness of God, his loving mercy.” Pope Benedict XVI General Audience 9 November 2005

4. Conversion in our heads: What do we need to know of our Catholic Culture? • Our Scripture. • Our Theology. • Our Church teaching / tradition. • Our Spirituality especially Social Justice.

5. OUR SCRIPTURES REMIND US:A BIBLICAL CALL What is the place of human beings in relation to the rest of creation? According to the Bible, we too are God’s creatures. We are part of the inter-connected community of creation, inter-related with all other creatures. As images of God (Gen 1:27) we are called to work with creation, and to do so in such a way as to manifest the love an respect that God has for each creature. We are to be humble stewards before God. We are told “to cultivate and take care” of what God has given. (Gen 2:15)

6. But ask the animals, And they will teach you; The birds of the air And they will tell you; Ask the plants of the Earth, And they will teach you. Job 12, 7 - 8

7. As we reflect about this in our own context, we interpret this to mean that our special part of creation, Australia, is entrusted to us by God. We are to receive its fruitfulness as God’s gift. We are called to be faithful trustees, respecting the integrity of God’s creation. This involves a call to protect the biodiversity of Australia. According to the Bible, the diversity of creation not only springs from the hand of God, but gives expression to God: “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalm 104:24)

8. God’s covenant with Noah embraces all of God’s diverse creatures. (Gen 9:12-16) (The Gift of Wonder - Page 8) Jesus’ story, “Consider the Lilies in the Field” is but one of many teachings to lead us to deepen our understanding of God’s love for us through the Gift of Creation.

9. God has made us what we are and in union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, Which he has already prepared for us to do.” Eph 2:10 Christ is the invisible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born son, superior to all created things . . . God has created the whole universe through him and for him. Col 1:15-16

10. OUR CHURCH CREATIONAL THEOLOGY IS EXTENSIVE: There are several things we can say about creation, about God, about God’s priorities, . . . God is always “acting” as Creator, not just “in the beginning”, but throughout cosmic history, right now and into the future. God as creator is always enabling, empowering and calling, but NOT controlling us and all the things around us into being . . . Creation is unfinished – it is only being completed, moving towards full communion with God as it unfolds . . .” “. . . we human beings . . . have extraordinary responsibilities towards one another and towards our environment. We are in fact deeply and irretrievably embedded in Nature – not separated from it, or above it.” Fr. Bill Stoeger S.J. C.E.A. Climate Change Conference Canberra November 2005

11. “All creatures exist by participation in divine being” St. Thomas Acquinas Summer Theologiae I,q.8,a.l, 2, 3 & Summer Contra Gentiles 3:66 par.7.

12. “… we are part of the interconnected community of creation, inter-related with all other creatures …” Fr. Dennis Edwards C.E.A. Climate Change Conference November 2005

13. Some of the greatest theologians of the church have meditated on the diversity of creatures and have seen this as expressing the abundance of the Trinitarian God. As we ponder this . . . we see the rivers and all their birds, fish and animals as creatures that emerge and are sustained by God’s ongoing creation. • The loving act of ongoing creation has enabled them to flourish in this place. According to St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure, the diversity of species represents the wonder and beauty of God that transcends any one creature. • They are part of a story of ongoing creation that takes place over millions of years. God’s creatures express and represent the Trinity. They are not simply there for human use, but have their own dignity, value and integrity. They are God’s gift to us. They can communicate something of God to us. • We are called to care for them, as fellow creatures before God and as loving and wise stewards of God’s creation. • The Gift of Water • Catholic Earthcare Australia Such a view challenges the destruction of species and their habitats in the modern era.

14. Church Teaching/Tradition/Leadership encourages us to live an Ecological Vocation .

15. A PAPAL CALL “Pope John Paul II has for many years been drawing attention to the environmental crises facing humanity. In his 1990 New Year Message, he stated, “Christians, in particular, realise that responsibility within creation and their duty towards nature and the Creator, are an essential part of their faith”.

16. In his 1999 New Year Message, Pope John Paul II warned that “the danger of serious damage to land and sea, and to the climate, flora and fauna, calls for a profound change in modern society’s typical consumer life-style, particularly in the richer countries”.

17. Again, on 17th January 2001, (General Audience, Vatican), he drew attention to the continuing environmental deterioration of the planet, describing humanity’s disregard for the integrity of creation as “humiliating … the earth, that flower-bed that is our home”. Prophetically, in this address, the Pope called the world’s Catholics to an “ecological conversion” to avoid planetary “catastrophe”. (“Let The Many Coastlands Be Glad” – Page 11)

18. “. . . . . the wonderful inter-relatedness that ecologists find in the bio-sphere on Earth, and the inter-relatedness that science discovers at all levels of quantum physics to cosmology, is all sustained at every moment by the Creator.” “We are intimately interconnected . . . . with other living creatures, the atmosphere, the land and the water systems.” “Climate Change, Our Responsibility to Sustain God’s Earth” Catholic Earthcare Australia 2005

19. We are so interconnected: “The web of life on Earth is under threat from accelerated climate change. That web compares to a seamless garment and it needs the application of a consistent ethic to protect it, one that considers life now and in the future, and ranges from protection of the unborn child to cherishing the diversity of species. Life is one, and human well-being is at its base interwoven with all life on Earth and the rhythm of its systems. The suffering of any one part means that all creation groans, and rapid global climate change dramatically displays that suffering.” Climate Change: Our Responsibility to Sustain God’s Earth Position Paper of the Bishops’ Committee for Justice Development, Ecology & Peace November 2005

20. “Whoever is not enlightened by the splendour of created things is blind; Whoever is not aroused by the sound of their voice is deaf; Whoever does not praise God for all these creatures is mute; Whoever after so much evidence does not recognise the First Principle is an idiot.” St. Bonaventure “Itinerarium Mertis in Deum” C.1, No. 15, Trans. Lawrence Cunningham (Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1979

21. We are especially “called” from a rich tradition of Catholic Social Justice teaching.

22. Populorium Progresso (Paul VI) is an encyclical that, in 1967, urgently demanded international solidarity with respect to the development of peoples.

23. Queensland Bishops “Let the Many Coastlands be Glad” 2004 “We cannot realistically love our neighbours and leave out the neighbourhood in which they live.”

24. “As a matter of justice and out of papal concern, we Bishops address ourselves to the Catholic communities and ask them to lead by example to see care for our planet Earth as a “vocation”. “We encourage all Catholics to help our nation by developing an ecological ethic and face up to the radical changes required . . . .” Bishops of Catholic Earthcare Australia Climate Change 2005

25. In Our Family Future “What will you leave to the next generation … what difference will you make?” Pope Benedict XVI, Sydney, 2008

26. What of own Torres Strait people and our near neighbours?

27. Mons Michael McKenzie – Kirribati – “Who will be our Good Samaritan?”

28. Carteret Island “The giant taro used to thrive in the swampy areas of the atoll islets. Then the swamps were inundated by the sea, the taro died and it no longer grew in the area. Last year king tides killed all our nut trees and fruit trees. People have no access to food to survive. It dawned on me that eventually we will lose our island home.” Ursula Rakova, Carteret resident

29. “The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have the responsibility toward the poor, toward future generations and toward humanity as a whole.” Pope Benedict XVI Caritas in Veritate - 2009

30. Environmental action must be found on and nurtured by a growing spirituality or it will die. “10 Commandments for the Environment”, Bishop GiampaoloCrepaldi, Sec. Of Pontifical Council for Justice & Peace, 2009

31. Spiritual Foundations St. Columban (6th Century) “If you wish to know the Creator, learn about Creation.”

32. “These creatures, these great creatures are just as much alive today as they were in the beginning.” “They are everlasting and will never die. They are always part of the land and nature as we are.” “We cannot change nor can they. Our connection to all things natural is spiritual.” Silas Roberts – Chair Northern Land Council 1977 Ranger Enquiry

33. “Creation reveals God and His love,” says Pope Benedict XVI. “God’s created works are the first sign of His existence and love.” General Audience 2005

34. Eucharist is a primary source of our Spirituality. Why do it? We are a Eucharistic People! We participate in this transformation in Christ. “The most intense moment of our Communion with God is at the same time an intense moment of our communion with the Earth.” Fr. Tony Kelly C.S.S.R. “Knowingly destroying the living systems of our planet amounts to a denial of what we celebrate when we gather for Eucharist.” Fr. Dennis Edwards C.E.A. Climate Change Conference Canberra November 2005 “The culture created by the living ethos of a vibrant Christian community centred on the Eucharist, offers, the most powerful long-term resource for ecological commitment.” Sr. Pat Fox R.S.N. (Quoting John Zizioulas)

35. “In the name of every creature under heaven, we too praise your glory” 4th Eucharist Prayer “The Eucharist” provides the movement of the cosmos with its direction; it anticipates its goal and at the same time urges it on.” Joseph Cardinal Ratziner San Francisco, 2002 “All creation rightly gives you praise.” 3rd Eucharist Prayer

36. “We need to appreciate all over again that the whole universe is a sacrament, vivified by the presence of the Creator Spirit.” Sr. Elizabeth Johnson, R.S.J. P.45, Catholic International February 2001 “Christ is the Word through whom you made the universe, the Saviour you sent to save us.” 2nd Eucharist Prayer Eucharist is a sacrament of the Risen Christ transforming creation. The Christ we encounter in the Eucharist is the risen one in whom all things were created and are reconciled” (Col. 1:15-20); “to gather up all things in Him” (Eph. 1:10).

37. It is precisely this: “If we are to love God we must seek to love creation as God does. For Christians, God’s love for the world reaches to almost unimaginable depths through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.” Dr. David Hallman C.E.A. Climate Change Conference Canberra November 2005

38. John H. Westerhoff The spiritual life, as I understand it, is ordinary, everyday life lived in an ever-deepening and loving relationship to God and therefore to one’s true or healthy self, all people, and the whole of creation. Ron Ferguson To become aware of the sacramental nature of the cosmos; To be open to the sacramental possibilities of each moment; To see the face of Christ in every person; These things are not novel, But their rediscovery is the beginning of our health. We have a rich Creational Spirituality

39. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407) [God] hath placed His Creation in the midst, before the eyes of all men; in order that they may guess at the Creator from His works … This it was which the prophet signified when he said, The heavens declare the glory of God. How then, tell me, do they declare it? Voice they have none; mouth they possess not; no tongue is theirs! how then do they declare? By means of the spectacle itself. For when thou seest the beauty, the breadth, the height, the position, the form, the stability thereof during so long a period; hearing as it were a voice, and being instructed by the spectacle, thou adorest Him who created so fair and admirable a body! The heavens may be silent, But the sight of them emits a voice, That is louder than a trumpet’s sound.

40. Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) I saw that God is everything that is good and energizing. God is our clothing that wraps, clasps and encloses us so as to never leave us. God showed me in my palm a little thing round as a ball about the size of a hazelnut. I looked at it with the eye of my understanding and asked myself: “What is this thing?” And I was answered: “It is everything that is created.” I wondered how it could survive since it seemed so little it could suddenly disintegrate into nothing. The answer came: “It endures and ever will endure, because God loves it.” And so everything has being because of God’s love

41. In our Faith Communities ~ What are some possible responses (& challenges)? • Witness to climate change as a spiritual issue. • Education within faith communities. • Faith based relief and development agencies / activities.

42. Collaboration in ecumenical advocacy initiatives. Dr David Hallman World Conservation Council 2005 • Network with Environment Groups / Agencies

43. To the Hands: Some Action frameworks and resources

44. A Little Patch of Green Chanel Lucas (Women in Docs)Consider the lyrics as a metaphor for our Catholic Schools. • This is where the children play, • They laugh and they run,chasing away • The bombs and the airplanes, • The guns and the screams, • Here on this little patch of green • Here on this little patch of green.

45. This is where the mothers come, • To catch up on gossip and sit in the sun, • Shake heads at the soldiers,and the • Price of things, • Here on this little patch of green, • Here on this little patch of green.

46. They say,the pen it is mightier, • Than any object of war; • He says,this is what I have seen • This is where the children play • On this,patch of green.

47. This is where the brothers find,peace in the chaos and peace of mind; • They turn from the debris to find a • New scene; • Here on this little patch of green, • Here on this little patch of green, • Right here,on this little patch of green.

48. “On Holy Ground…”a framework that supports an ecological vision for Catholic Education. www.onholyground.edu.au

49. Five Lenses

50. “On Holy Ground” captures • good science / good theology / spirituality / educational / admin practice • culture traditions – spirituality of Catholic church over thousands of years • some visionary direction and • some focus for individuals, groups, schools, parishes, agencies • some framework for action as individuals/groups/whole school/parish • some assessment with consistency of judgement • resources