TAKING the call to be stewards of creation seriously means Christians have long been at the forefront of efforts to raise awareness of the damage humans are causing to the environment - and by extension, to each other.
Churches around the world joined together in 1989 for the Season of Creation initiative, which runs from September 1 to October 4 and is aimed at encouraging prayer and action on ecological issues.
These efforts were given further impetus when in 2015 Pope Francis published his 'environmental' encyclical Laudato Si'.
The document's title is inspired by the writings of St Francis of Assisi - synonymous with creation, and author of the Canticle of the Creatures - and its subtitle emphasises the Pope's intentions: 'On Care For Our Common Home'.
The Pope is clear that caring for creation should be at the forefront of the Church's agenda.
"Living our vocation to be protectors of God's handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience," he writes in Laudato Si'.
Pope Francis has also designated September 1 as a World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation for the Catholic Church and last year he invited Catholics to celebrate the full season: "We are beloved creatures of God, who in his goodness calls us to love life and live it in communion with the rest of creation," he said.
Among those around Ireland inspired by the call to action on climate change and the themes of Laudato Si' is the Clogher Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group.
Organised by Fr Joe McVeigh, it is a cross-community group which works to create awareness in the Diocese of Clogher about, as it puts it, "the need to save our planet Earth".
"Each year the Season of Creation focuses on a particular theme," explained Sr Nellie McLaughlin RSM, who chairs the group.
"The suggested theme for 2021 is 'Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope' - how timely as globally we struggle with Covid-19 and the twin emergencies of climate change and biodiversity depletion on an unprecedented scale.
"The biblical term 'jubilee' refers to a period of restoration for the earth and justice for all.
"One wonders if this could be any more urgent as the IPCC, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, issues an alarming 'code red for humanity'?"
Sr Nellie said the upcoming COP-15 and COP-26 meetings provided a "window of opportunity if we can act collectively and resolutely for the global political will as world leaders gather".
"In this Season of Creation we are urged to take time to reflect anew on our relationship with our Common Home," she said.
"We are urged to pray and take practical steps to safeguard the living systems of our planet home - to ensure fresh air, clean water, healthy soil and safe sunshine - so that planet and people may enjoy flourishing life."
To mark the beginning of the Season of Creation, Clogher Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group has organised an online 'webinar' on Saturday September 4 from 11am-12.30pm.
It will address the theme: 'Implementing Laudato Si' - The Urgent Need for Action on Climate Change and Biodiversity in our Parishes'.
The guest speakers include: Rev Canon Andrew Orr (Church of Ireland, chair of Eco-Congregration Ireland); Jane Mellett (Laudato Si' officer with Trocaire); Professor John Sweeney (Maynooth University, IPCC contributor); Brian MacDonald (Monaghan Rewilding Group).
The webinar can be booked here.
