In the wake of the 2021 Season of Creation, the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has reiterated its commitment to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si, encouraging all to join the initiatives of this year’s season which commenced on Wednesday, September 1. Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos made this call in his September Circular on Tuesday. According to the circular, the ecumenical celebration of the 2021 Season of Creation, themed “A home for all? Renewing the Oikos of God”, runs from September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, through 4 October, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. “Oikos is the Greek Word for “Home” or “Household”. During this annual celebration of prayer and action for our common home, Christians across the globe are expected to come together for a time of restoration and hope, and experience new ways of living with creation.
Archbishop Martins drew attention to the symbol, prayers and meditations, and calls to action and advocacy, that can be used by individuals or societies or congregations, to nurture faithful imagination to restore right, just and sustainable relationships with the Earth and among all species. The Circular further read: “This year’s symbol is Abraham’s tent signifying our commitment to safeguard a place for all who share our common home just as Abraham did in the book of Genesis. The Tent invites us to create a home for all, hence we are encouraged therefore to pray as well as engage in sustainable projects and advocacy. “Pray: Host a prayer service (possibly outdoor) with the goal of caring for our common home. Sustainable Projects: Organize or take part in a cleanup project, plant trees and reduce your carbon footprint by change in lifestyles and consumption habits. Advocacy: Raise your prophetic voice in the public sphere for climate justice by participating or leading an on-going campaign to save the planet from overheating to the point of no return.
