“It is our duty to thank the Creator for the impressive and marvelous gift of the great waters and all that they contain (cfr Gen 1,20-21; Sal 146,6), and to praise him for covering the earth with the oceans (cfr Sal 104,6). To ponder the immense open seas and their incessant movement can also represent an opportunity to turn our thoughts to God, who constantly accompanies his creation, guiding its course and sustaining its existence. Constant care for this inestimable treasure represents today an ineluctable duty and a genuine challenge. There is need for an effective cooperation between men and women of good will in assisting the ongoing work of the Creator. Sadly, all too many efforts fail due to the lack of effective regulation and means of control (…). We need to pray as if everything depended on God’s providence, and work as if everything depended on us".
Pope Francis, Message for the World Day for the Care of Creation, 1 September 2018
Catholic organizations are coming together with other Christian Churches to discuss life on, around and in the seas, which are a common heritage of all humankind. Pollution of water, high quantity of plastic into the seas, environmental degradation are putting at risk the marine eco-system, as well as the life of human being.
This Conference draws from the “integral” approach spearheaded by the encyclical letter Laudato si’ published in 2015. Following this approach, we will encompass the perspectives from various fields including theology, anthropology, ecology, economy. Policies at national and international level and the perspectives of business and industrial world will also be taken into account.
The Conference aims to bring an inspiring contribution and dialogue in order to take also into consideration the wisdom and principles from faith communities.
The event is promoted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in cooperation with the Apostolship of the Sea Stella Maris, Justice and Peace Europe, Justice and Peace Commission of Copenhagen, Global Catholic Climate Movement.