The former president of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga will visit Perth next week to mark the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’.
It is a year since the pontiff inspired Catholics the world over the encyclical which called the world to unite to protect “our common home”.
Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga will echo Pope Francis’ call to take action in our personal lives and as members of school, church, and wider communities to tackle climate change.
A staunch defender of human rights and a powerful voice in the global fight against poverty, he will give the 2016 Mary Ward Justice Lecture with a talk entitled Between Heaven and Earth: Conversations on Faith, Ecology and Justice.
The lecture, co-ordinated by John XXIII College, Loreto School Nedlands, Catholic Education WA and Caritas Australia, will be one of many celebrating the anniversary of Laudato Si’ across the world.
Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga continues to advise Pope Francis on issues relating to Catholic education and the renewal of the curia. He is also chairman of the pope’s high level advisory group of nine cardinals.
Caritas Australia is calling on the Australian government to commit to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and to provide Australia’s fair share of global finance for communities affected by climate change.
Caritas Australia’s CEO, Paul O’Callaghan said the encyclical has inspired communities to consider ecology in a new light.
“Over recent years, many Catholic organisations around the world and in Australia have become active in promoting awareness about the critical implications of climate change for future generations,” Mr O’Callaghan said.