Celebrating Laudato Si

Today marks the 3^rd anniversary of Pope’s Francis encyclical letter Laudato Si’ “On care for our common home”.

The letter from His Holiness encourages us to open our eyes to see how God is present throughout creation. He asks us to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” and reject those who would set profit and economic growth as the sole criterions for good. It calls on us to turn away from materialism and as our Patron the blessed Oscar Romero stated “Aspire not to have more but to be more”.

At SCIAF we believe in offering a hand up, not a hand out, to those in poverty. We recognise every individual's innate dignity as a means to help them not only survive, but to thrive.

One of the biggest challenges our brothers and sisters around the world face is climate change, and at the heart of Laudato Si’ is a call for climate justice. The Holy Father recognises that it is those with the least on the front line of climate change who face losing the most and being pushed deeper into poverty.

This year we have a fantastic opportunity to “Live Laudato Si’” and put our faith into action.

In the coming weeks the Scottish Government will bring forward their climate bill. Along with our partner organisations, SCIAF is calling on the Government to deliver a world leading commitment to reduce our carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. This would see Scotland play a part in the fight for climate justice, directly addressing climate change and helping people around the world.

Last year SCIAF campaigners successfully lobbied the Scottish Government to ban fracking, bring forward a just transition commission and commit to helping climate friendly projects in the Global South. We can make a real difference when we work together.

You can find a copy of Laudato Si here.