JPIC NEWSLETTER

EDITORIAL

Bro. James N. A. (PEA)

I am very happy to bring to you the first news bulletin of the newly formed JPIC International commission. The General Council held on 2.3.2022 constituted the New Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC). In this issue I am focusing on the new effort of the JPIC in different Provinces especially English-speaking Provinces. They just had the meeting of the Convenors of the JPIC Commission of the different Provinces in India under the Chairmanship of Bro. George Padikara, the National commission in charge of the National Council, JPIC, India. Hope to bring news of the activities of JPIC in different Provinces in India in the next issue of the News Bulletin.

In this issue I have tried to recapture the spirit of the JPIC through our different General Chapters. I have also tried to bring out the different issues of JPIC activity and Brothers in charge of different activity in different Provinces as compiled by the Assistant General in charge of JPIC in the Congregation, Bro. James T.K. I have also tried to bring out the impact of our food habit on Carbon emission and climate change. Also brought out the different issues addressed by Laudato Si in the Church and how Congregations are advised to implement Laudato Si Action plans in our Educational Institutions. Next issue of the News Bulletin desire to bring out more photos and pictures of the action plans of JPIC activities in different Provinces.

The Season of Creation is a period that brings together the entire Christian community worldwide to pray and take action for the care of the environment. It begins on September 1, 2022 with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and ends on October 4, 2022, with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. We just celebrated the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, who, for the Church is considered as a reformer and who considered everything in the consideration of the creation of the creator as brothers and sisters. He was an avowed proponent of the evil of clericalism in the Church and lived to promote care of creation. No wonder present Pope took the Saint’s name during his pontificate and took him as the inspiration for ‘ Laudato Si.

As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for creation. We are co-creatures, and part of all that God has made. Our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth. We rejoice in this opportunity to safeguard our common home and all beings who share it. The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment. It is an annual ecumenical season where we pray and act together as a Christian family for our common home. As you are planning your event, be sure to register it on the website at SeasonOfCreation.org. When you register, your celebration will become visible on the global Season of Creation map to inspire others and increase attendance. We will also contact you to provide additional resources

Encourage sustainable living make sustainable lifestyle changes on an individual level. The Season of Creation is a wonderful time to reflect on how our lifestyles affect the environment and to make a commitment to more sustainable ways of living. The good news is that making more sustainable lifestyle choices in just a few areas adds up to a big difference overall. As the saying goes, “Let us live simply so that others may simply live.” Living simply is a way to ensure our planet is truly a home for all. – Calculate your carbon footprint using an online calculator. Engage a small group of people in your community to join you in the group to pray, reflect, and support one another.

September 1 was proclaimed as a day of prayer for creation for the Eastern Orthodox Church by Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I in 1989. It was embraced by other major Christian European churches in 2001, and by Pope Francis for the Roman Catholic Church in 2015. In recent years, many Christian churches have begun celebrating the “Season of Creation” (also known as Creation Time) between September 1 and October 4, the Feast of St. Francis that is observed by some Western traditions. St. Francis is the author of the Canticle of the Creatures, and the Catholic saint of those who promote ecology. Several statements from the past few years have called the faithful to observe this monthlong season, such as those of the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines in 2003, the Third European Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu in 2007 and the World Council of Churches in 2008.

COP27: Climate change Important policies are decided at the United Nations’ annual climate change conference. Here the world comes together to make binding promises on how to lessen climate change and support the most vulnerable countries and communities as they suffer the impact of a changing climate. COP27 takes place in Egypt November 7 to 18. In the lead up to COP27, and at the event, you can advocate for necessary funds for marginalized communities to help them implement the many solutions that will work in their circumstances. Particularly important this year is securing adequate financing for communities to adapt to the loss and damage done to land, livelihoods, cultures, species and peoples by the effects of climate change, and ensuring that the needs of marginalized women are at the centre of all climate plans.

The UN convention for Biodiversity COP15: The Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity (COP15) will be held in Montreal in December 2022. It is time to hear and amplify what Indigenous peoples, women and girls, migrants, youth and the Earth are saying about their experiences with biodiversity. The world must hear the knowledge of these communities in order to find solutions to the impacts of climate change and the loss of biodiversity.