.png "The voice of the four representatives of the Earth from \"The Letter\" comes to Florence with CADIS")
The evocative and central Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Florence opened its doors to CADIS International on Sunday 21st April for the new stage of the screening of the film inspired by Pope Francis' Encyclical Laudato Si' "The Letter: a message for the Earth".
The manifesto for integral ecology and the urgent appeal to counter the effects of climate change echoed through the journey of the four earth representatives to Rome.
The voices of the poor, young people, indigenous communities and wildlife met for the first time in the presence of Pope Francis, to establish a serious and concrete dialogue on the effects that environmental disasters are causing in every corner of the earth and the need for action. Science has the tools, but they are not enough on their own. And so it is that the encounter between science and faith becomes the key to reversing the effects of climate change.
Step by step, the call becomes more urgent because environmental disasters caused by climate change, and thus by man, are becoming more and more recurrent and destructive.
Just a few days ago, Dubai and the surrounding area were hit by a very violent and unexpected flood. Within a few hours, the amount of water expected for two years fell. The cause? "The huge rainfall was instead likely due to a normal weather system that was exacerbated by climate change, experts say." (Read more here: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/what-caused-storm-that-brought-dubai-standstill-2024-04-17/ )
Several faithful in Florence accepted the invitation of CADIS International and the Camillians and attended the film screening and animated the final reflection led by Fr. Aris Miranda, CADIS Director.
Paraphrasing the words of Pope Francis in the Encyclical Laudato Si', Fr. Aris Miranda started the reflection thus:
"We are not separate from the planet we share with other life forms; we are intimately connected to it and therefore we are also responsible for its care. This truth must be recognised in order to face the challenges of this critical moment in history. At stake is nothing less than our children's right to a safe climate, clean water and air, sufficient food, physical security and the wonders of a planet rich in life.
We cannot overcome the double crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, nor pollution, resource degradation, poverty and injustice, without transforming outdated patterns of behaviour, culture and economics. We must move beyond an exploitative relationship with our planet to one based on stewardship and care. Although this transformation has already begun, the gravity of the situation demands more action.
People and communities must unite to ensure that those who make decisions and hold the greatest responsibility and power understand that action on these issues is a priority for the people they serve, and that they are held accountable. As much as this is a time of crisis, it is also a time of opportunity: we can renew our relationship with the planet in a way that not only sustains us, but also thrives and flourishes."
Words that moved the spirits of those present who, in turn, shared support for the cause, but also concern. "How can we, on our own, bring about change?"
By starting at home, by converting our daily actions in favour of more ecological behaviour.
Acting small by thinking big: if each of us does his or her part, overall we will have a big impact. Change always starts with an individual. And that 'individual' is each one of us.
.png "Getting ready for the 9th CADIS Leadership Conference in Bangkok")
