WelCom September 2022
Natalie Murphy rsm
Ngā Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand have been engaging with Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato si’ since it was published in 2015.
Laudato si’ was a gift to us for the Extraordinary Year of Mercy. In 2016, Mercy Congregations and companions around the world participated in the Mercy International Reflection Process (MIRP). Based on LS, sisters and companions-in-mercy were invited to discern globally their response to ‘the cry of the Earth and the cry of the Poor’, LS49.
Within Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa, 29 groups explored issues that harm Earth and her suffering people and committed to a variety of actions. The groups included sisters, Mercy partners, school students, parishioners, work colleagues and friends. Two fundamental issues became clear: degradation of Earth and displacement of people.
A two-year Mercy Global Presence (MGP) programme was formed. Sisters in New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa created resources and connected worldwide. These resources are available online: mercyworld.org/about/our-initiatives/mercy-global-presence/
In 2017, sisters met in Samoa to deepen their understanding about the reality of the MIRP directions for their region. Sisters from Asia Pacific nations and a sister from the Mercy International Association Mercy Global Action office, also gathered at the UN in New York. Sisters from each country spoke of the devastating effects of climate change on their homelands and people. Hope came from experts who outlined programmes already assisting with climate resilience and sustaining livelihoods, natural heritage, and culture.
From 27 June to 1 July this year, we took part in the Global Mercy Oceans Campaign in tandem with the UN Oceans Conference in Lisbon. Sisters from various nations prepared videos for prayer and action. A Samoan-born and a Tongan-born sister were present on behalf of our congregation. From Samoa we heard, ‘Our hopes and dreams are to uphold and save our identity, our land and our roots. Our ancestors are buried in our land. If the land or water is lost or damaged then our people’s identity, home and culture are lost for good.’
We also heard the call for the protection of humpback whales prevalent near Tonga, described as ‘ecosystem engineers that maintain the health and stability of the oceans and can literally slow down climate change’. On 25 May 2021 the Laudato si’ Action Plan (LSAP) was launched by the Vatican.
Over the next seven years religious congregations, families, dioceses, parishes, educational and health groups are invited to explore its seven goals:
- response to the cry of the earth
- response to the cry of the poor
- ecological economics
- adopting a simple lifestyle
- ecological education
- ecological spirituality
- community resiliance and empowerment.
A group of sisters is working to discern our response to these goals and our commitment to action them. It is a work in progress of prayer, education and consultation involving our whole congregation.
Let us all pray in wonder and awe of God’s creation and commit to seeking solutions to our world-wide environmental and social crises.