On Thursday, Christians and non-Christians alike are joining together to welcome the Pope’s call to moral stewardship in a Candlelit vigil in Sydney. Imagine what a beautiful occasion this will be, with people from all walks of life engaged prayerfully, listening to a gospel choir, and in support of the words of a Christian leader!
We would love you to be there, representing the growing unity in the Australian Church and our commitment to justice, and taking prayerful responsibility for the atmosphere of the event. Will you come?
Details:
- When: Thursday, 18 June, 5 pm for 5:30 start (finishing at 6:30 pm).
- Where: Phillip Cook Park Square, in front of St. Mary's Cathedral, St Marys Road, across from Hyde Park, Sydney.
- What: Candlelight Vigil on the eve of the Pope's climate change encyclical with singing and speakers
- What to bring: Candles (covered if possible), torches, solar lights and placards with messages focused on Australian action.
RSVP on the right.... See you there!
What?
This is a very exciting week for Christians like us who are passionate about justice, with the papal encyclical due for release on Thursday. Entitled, Laudato Sii (On the Care of our Common Home), Pope Francis is expected to deliver a powerful call to moral stewardship and climate justice, in what the media is already describing an "explosive intervention" that will "transform the climate debate" [1].
Why?
For us, the encyclical provides an unprecedented opportunity that is an answer to prayer in two specific ways:
1. It allows Christians to really step up and contribute our voice to the national conversation on this pressing global issue, with a tone that seeks to be more like Jesus.
2. It allows us the opportunity to engage non-Christians in our society in conversations that show that the source of our commitment to justice is Jesus.