In So Many Words
This year International World Ocean’s Day ( June 8) focused attention on the theme Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean. Columban missionaries worldwide are collaborating to raise awareness, share stories and inspire change in local communities and at international events, for the protection and care of oceans.
Oceans form the biggest surface of Earth and contain immense biodiversity of life. Oceans provide food, help to regulate Earth’s weather and climate, and produce vast amounts of oxygen. However, the world’s oceans are groaning from the impacts of over-fishing, coastal development, exploitative mining and pollution. Columban Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Coordinator in Fiji, Tevita Naikasowalu says, “for us when we see the sea, we see ourselves, when we see the river, we see ourselves, when we see the land, we see ourselves. That is why we cry out very much. For us, wellbeing is about relationship. It’s not an ‘I’ but a ‘we,’ it’s always plural.” Tevita says the challenges we face are not served by attitudes that are self-seeking, that put up barriers between peoples and are not focused on the common good for all God’s creation.
Columban missionaries worldwide are collaborating to raise awareness, share stories and inspire change in local communities and at international events, for the protection and care of oceans.
The call to regeneration, therefore, sets our vision higher and is more transformational. It involves deeper commitments to reflect upon and integrate broad wisdom and knowledge traditions and address underlying causes in many activities that involve and benefit all. In our Christian tradition, ecological conversion involves turning to our foundations and responding to the cries of Earth and all peoples and particularly those who are disadvantaged. It includes listening to, taking heed of and helping to raise voices for the greater good of all.
In May, Columban missionaries in Australia participated in the webinar event Ecology and Economics, Everything is Connected, hosted by Catholic Religious Australia. The webinar focused on economic decision-making in the light of ecological conversion, one of the goals of the Laudato Si Action Platform. In words that echo broadly with leaders from all walks of life, Michelle Moloney, Co-Founder and National Convenor of Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) and one of the keynote speakers stated, “we are stuck on ideas of prosperity and economics.” Michelle explained the term sustainability, often applied to individual and organizational efforts to care for creation, is limited to seeking to do no further harm. However, this is not enough. The global community is collectively living outside safe Earthly boundaries and the capacity of living systems to replenish from what is taken are left depleted. We cannot assume to go on with unlimited growth.
The call to regeneration, therefore, sets our vision higher and is more transformational. It involves deeper commitments to reflect upon and integrate broad wisdom and knowledge traditions and address underlying causes in many activities that involve and benefit all. In our Christian tradition, ecological conversion involves turning to our foundations and responding to the cries of Earth and all peoples and particularly those who are disadvantaged. It includes listening to, taking heed of and helping to raise voices for the greater good of all.
Sr. Caroline Vaitkunas RSM
Peace, Ecology and Justice Office
Columban Mission Center, Essendon, Australia