World Oceans Day - June 8, 2022 - Photo:canva.com
This year International World Ocean’s Day (June 8th) focuses 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. Columban missionaries are accredited to take part in the upcoming United Nations Oceans Conference, in Lisbon, Portugal from June 27th – July 1st, 2022. The conference aims to be a catalyst in a new chapter of global ocean care. The International Columban Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Coordinator Amy Echeverria, says a large delegation of the Catholic Church will be present at this important event.
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 global warming, over-fishing, coastal development, exploitative mining and pollution. This year, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia has experienced its sixth mass coral bleaching event. Coral bleaching is not normal and is becoming increasingly common with rising global temperatures. The whole living reef system is impacted by coral bleaching, which has devastating impacts that extend beyond the local region.
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 in the region of Oceania, 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.
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.
All parts of society are contributing to movements that re-think our relationship within creation to help guide us towards healing. The Planetary Health Alliance, a network of global organizations, says every dimension of health and wellbeing on Earth has been impacted by environmental destruction. This includes impacts on the world’s oceans. The São Paulo Declaration on Planetary Health, released on October 6th, 2021, states a great global transition is needed in how we produce and consume food, construct and live in societies, measure growth and development, and govern ourselves.
On May 24th 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 Centre, Essendon
