The Laudato Sí Working Group met in November to discuss progress and agree key priorities for the coming year. Here is a short summary of what is in the pipeline:
- New parish resource on Implementing Laudato Sí. Building on the success of the Trócaire Glás resource and the Eco-Congregation Ireland resources, the plan is to partner with Veritas in the Spring to produce a new, easy to use resource for parishes and communities. Suggestions of materials, reflections and ideas are welcome. Please contact Vivek in Veritas.
- Collaborate with the Irish Council for Justice and Peace in 2019 to roll out a series of regional meetings on Laudato Sí implementation. The first of these will take place in Dromantine in April. More details to follow.
- Work to ensure Laudato Sí is incorporated within the primary and senior curriculum for RE. Continue to work with those developing the senior cycle RE curriciulum and the Grow in Love programme for 6th Class. Engage with the roll out of the curriculum to make sure an integral ecology is prominent.
- Work to ensure work happening on adult faith development and adult catechesis in parishes includes Laudato Sí as an integral part of the Christian vocation.
- Participate in relevant citizen actions to promote climate justice policies, including the citizens’ lobby of TDs organised by Stop Climate Chaos. Seek a meeting with the Minister for Climate Action to present the work of faith-based organisations in this area.
- Ensure parishes and groups receive information on Season of Creation 2019 in good time and are encouraged to participate in events.
- Support efforts to increase the number of faith-based organisations divesting from fossil fuels, including individual dioceses.
Other news:
Jane Mellett from the Laudato Sí Working Group is currently participating on a Climate Pilgrimage from Assisi to Katowice where the COP will take place in a few weeks. Follow her pilgrimage and send your intentions for climate justice on www.theclimatepilgrimage.com
Members of the Laudato Sí Working Group of the Irish Bishops Conference currently are:
Prof John Sweeney, Emeritus Professor of Geography, Maynooth University
Dr. Lorna Gold, Laudato Sí Project, Trócaire
Vivek Da Silva, Veritas Publications
Fr. Dermott Lane, Parish Priest Ballaly and theologian
Sylvia Thompson, Kerry Diocese JCIP
Fr. Sean McDonagh, Columban Missionary and eco-theologian
Sr. Patricia Lynott, Diocesan Advisor to Primary Schools, Diocese of Kilalla
Jane Mellett, Pastoral Worker, Dublin Diocese
Anna Keegan, Church Officer, Trócaire
Kate Liffey, Director of Catechetics, Irish Episcopal Conference
Emer Crooke, Research Coordinator, Council for Justice and Peace, Irish Episcopal Conference