Diocese_Of_Sandhurst_YearInReview_2021

40 SOCIAL JUSTICE In May 2020, Pope Francis announced his intent to task Catholics with a commitment to implement LaudatoSi’; andtheVatican’sDicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development was charged with developing a framework to support this action. The framework is known as the LaudatoSi’ ActionPlatform. On 14 November 2021 the Laudato Si’ Action Platform was officially launched and, on 21 November 2021, the Diocese of Sandhurst was enrolled as a Laudato Si’ Diocese; thus committing to work towards the seven Laudato Si’ Goals over the next seven years. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is a unique collaboration between the Vatican, an international coalition of Catholic organisations, and “all men and women of good will.” ( Laudato Si’ 3) Taking a truly ground-up approach, it is rooted in the strengths and realities of com- munities around the world, empowering all to take “decisive action, here and now” as we journey towards a better future together. ( Laudato Si’ 161). Social Justice Sunday 29 August 2021 The Bishops invited us to join them in responding to Pope Francis’ invitation to take a seven-year journey towards total ecological sustainability guided by the seven Laudato Si’goals . ‘Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor’ In 2021, The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference made a commit- ment to work towards a more sustainable Church in its annual statement promoting social justice. The bishops’ Social Justice Statement 2021-22 provided theological foundations to ground and inspire efforts to care for creation while responding to the needs of the disadvantaged and excluded. In the statement, the bishops invited us to “uncover the sacramentality of creation” in recognising the divine presence in the world, and to respond with wonder and awe. They called for a “profound conversion expressed in a new way of living, both personally and collectively.” “We are being called to a newway of thinking, feeling, understanding and living.” Laudato Si’ Action Platform 7 Laudato Si’ Goals “Standing on the firm ground of “three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbour, and with the Earth itself,” we commit to setting out “on the long path of renewal,” (Laudato Si’ 66, 202) . “We embrace our rightful place in the “order and dynamism” that our Creator ordained, and we urgently embark on new ways of living with “creativity and enthusiasm,” (Laudato Si’ 221, 220).