Responding to the Sin of Violence Against the Planet
Return to Our 2025 Lenten Pilgrimage of Hope
In the introduction to his Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, Pope Francis wrote,
“This is a global social issue and one intimately related to the dignity of human life…. The most vulnerable people bear the effects of climate change, whether at home or around the world.” In a few words, the Bishops assembled for the Synod for Amazonia said the same thing: “Attacks on nature have consequences for people’s lives.” And to express bluntly that this is no longer a secondary or ideological question but a drama that harms us all, the African bishops stated that climate change makes manifest “a tragic and striking example of structural sin.”
“To corrupt or destroy the natural environment is an act of violence not only against the earth but also against those who are dependent on it, including ourselves.”
Wendell Berry
Let Us Pray
God of creation, we come before you with broken hearts, lamenting the wounds inflicted upon Mother Earth. We grieve what we have done to “transform creation from garden to desert.” We cry out for your mercy and forgiveness for the arrogance, greed, and exploitation that has failed to care for our planet for future generations. We ask for strength and courage to speak out and act with justice to heal our common so that “all creation may once again sing your praise.” Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How is God asking me to realize love, justice, and solidarity with all creation today, tomorrow, and for future generations?
- What policies can I support which will help our culture do the same? Who might be involved with me on this pilgrimage?
Hope In Action
In Laudate Deum, Pope Francis invites us to “stop thinking of human beings as autonomous, omnipotent and limitless, and begin to think of ourselves differently, in a humbler but more fruitful way.” He does not deny that “the most effective solutions will come from major political decisions on the national and international levels [70]. Yet, he asks “everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home and to help make it more beautiful because that commitment has to do with our personal dignity and highest values” [69].