MLSM Canada

In this issue of Laudato Si’ Dialogues we share an expansive number of activities, reflections, and faith led advocacy campaigns.  There are so many, in fact, that we’ll forego a story in favour of sharing the great news of so much going on!

People honour “Cookie”, the slice of a felled Douglas Fir from Fairy Creek, BC brought to COP15 to illustrate biodiversity loss in Canada. Photo credit: #Ada’itsx/Fairy Creek Blockade

In December, MLSM Canada’s Agnes Richard and Karen Van Loon were in Montréal during the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15. They reflect on their experiences at COP15 and parallel events in a 5-part blog series.

Authors: Agnes Richard and Karen Van Loon 

“Indigenous Peoples sustain lands and waters not just for our own interests. We do this because we have a responsibility given to us by the Creator to care for these areas for the benefit of everybody. We know that if we take care of the land, the land will take care of us—all of us." -Valérie Courtois, director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative which hosted the Indigenous Village (photo) during COP 15 in Montréal.

In December, MLSM Canada’s Agnes Richard and Karen Van Loon were in Montréal during the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15. They reflect on their experiences at COP15 and parallel events in a 5-part blog series.

From left to right: Agnes Richard MLSM Canada, Anna Johnson Laudato Si’ Movement, Caroline Kiiru Laudato Si’ Movement, Amy Echeverria Co-Coordinator of the Vatican's Ecology Taskforce, Auxiliary Bishop Alain Faubert, Kim Gottfried Piché Archdiocese of Montréal, Joe Gunn MLSM Canada Advisory Circle, Louise Royer Archdiocese of Montréal, and Stone Iwaasa (not shown) share laughs.

In December, MLSM Canada’s Agnes Richard and Karen Van Loon were in Montréal during the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15. They reflect on their experiences at COP15 and parallel events in a 5-part blog series.

 

Agnes Richard, Darlene O’ Leary, Caroline Kiiru and Anna Johnson at the Multi-Faith pavilion.

Part 2 of a blog series about 
COP15 on Biodiversity

In December, MLSM Canada’s Agnes Richard and Karen Van Loon were in Montréal during the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15. They reflect on their experiences at COP15 and parallel events in a 5-part blog series.

The Story: A Reflective Spring Eco-Getaway

Thirteen people participated in the Laudato Si’ Retreat at Jericho House Youth Leadership, Justice and Spirituality Centre, organized in collaboration with MLSM Canada.  The retreat’s theme came from one of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform Goals, the “Cry of the Earth” and offered a time for kindred spirits to explore how to engage with the ecological crisis and its challenges.  As part of their engagement with the Action Platform organizers at Jericho House will host similar retreats in the springtime for the next 6 years.

The participants, from different parts of Ontario and sectors of ministry, enjoyed the first MLSM Canada event to bring people together in person.  

Sean Moore joined us virtually for an excellent presentation, How the system Works … and How to Work the System: A Primer on the Art and Science of Public-Policy Advocacy, a module from his Advocacy School. An afternoon panel discussion including Robert Czerny, representing a group of Ottawa parishes who have formed several Laudato Si’ Action Committees, Iseult Hayden from Toronto parish St. Anselm’s Ecology Group, Roman Caruk speaking about Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board initiatives and Agnes Richard shared their knowledge of successful parish, community and school ecological programs.  On Saturday evening we had the chance to connect with Kevin Moynihan, producer of several Canadian films about Laudato Si’, for a discussion about his latest video, Laudato Si’ +7 The Greening of Faith Communities in Canada.

The Story –  EARTH DAY 2022 #InvestInOurPlanet

“We are called to be instruments of God our Father, so that our planet might be what he desired when he created it and correspond with his plan for peace, beauty and fullness. The problem is that we still lack the culture needed to confront this crisis.” -LS 5 

This year’s Earth Day (April 22nd) theme announces “now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods… together, we must Invest In Our Planet.” We can help build the culture Pope Francis speaks of by imagining how our resources can support the Creator’s plan.

What better time to open the Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator Toolkit , (en française) with a colleague, begin the journey to divest from fossil fuels and take steps to invest in our planet? 

Divestment from continually expanding fossil fuel companies, and reinvestment in enterprises that promote clean energy, just employment, transparent governance and the inclusion of Indigenous leadership are powerful actions that demonstrate integrated ecological justice.

 “This Toolkit is a wonderful resource for all faith communities keen to understand how to align their faith and investments with a shift away from harmful sectors such as fossil fuels.” 
-Dr. Lorna Gold, president of the Laudato Si’ Movement Board of Directors.

In Laudato Si’ we are also prompted “to show special care for Indigenous communities and their cultural traditions … When they remain on their land, they themselves care for it best.” LS 146 Pope Francis gives us renewed inspiration to work towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through his personal apology, April 1, and his promise to come to Canada in the very near future.