Spirituality and Care for Creation
Webinar on “Spirituality and Care for Creation” with Sr. Marjorie J. Guingona, SAC as the resource speaker.
The discussion centered on the integration of Spirituality and Care for Creation, emphasizing the importance of ecological conversion. The conversation highlighted the ecological crisis, citing deforestation, mining, and single-use plastics as major issues. Sr. Marjorie Guingona shared her experiences in Mindanao, advocating for simple living, community engagement, and ecofeminism. The session concluded with a call for collective action and education to foster ecological consciousness and sustainability.
Outline
Father Joseph Roque’s Welcome and Introduction to the Topic
- Joseph welcomes participants and introduces Father Joseph Roque to give the opening remarks.
- Joseph Roque discusses the importance of environmental sustainability in the Philippines, highlighting the impact of climate change on coastal areas and agricultural lands.
- He emphasizes that care for the earth is not just a slogan but a commandment from Genesis, urging humans to cultivate and care for God’s gifts of creation.
- Joseph mentions Pope Francis’ 2015 document “Laudato Si” on care for our common home, which calls for action to reduce human impact on the environment.
- He introduces the webinar’s topic, “Spirituality and Care for Creation,” and the need for discussions on environmental care despite the long-standing commandments from religious texts.
Sr. Marjorie Guingona’s presentation on Spirituality and Care for Creation
- Marjorie begins her presentation with a music video that inspired her during the pandemic, reflecting on her journey and experiences.
- She defines spirituality as a search for meaning, connection with something greater than oneself, and providing a sense of purpose, peace, and emotional well-being.
- She emphasizes the importance of space, place, and land in spirituality, particularly in the context of Mindanao and its ancestral domain.
- Marjorie discusses the challenges faced by Mindanao, including poverty, war, displacement, and ecological calamities, and the role of the original church of the poor in addressing these issues.
- She outlines the constitutive elements of spirituality, including intimacy with God through prayer and solitude, integration of indigenous people’s resources, and an ecofeminist perspective.
- Marjorie highlights the importance of a Christ-centered faith and the need for a spirituality that is life-changing and compassionate.
Challenges of Ecological Crisis and Call for Ecological Conversion
- Marjorie discusses the human roots of the ecological crisis, including deforestation, exploitation, irresponsible mining projects, and the throwaway culture of single-use plastics.
- She emphasizes the need for ecological conversion, a transformation of hearts and minds towards greater love of God, each other, and creation.
- Ecological conversion involves choosing a life of simplicity, community, and participation in the call to care for creation.
- Marjorie shares her experiences of living simply and the importance of community and celebration in spirituality.
- She calls for a return to the Creator and repairing the broken relationship with God and each other, emphasizing humility and gratitude in the process of ecological conversion.
Efforts and Initiatives for Ecological Conversion
- Marjorie shares her efforts to preserve a virgin forest and expand networking with other agencies to protect the environment.
- She discusses the importance of reaching out to indigenous communities and educating them about the value of their land and resources.
- Marjorie emphasizes the need for collective action and the role of education and formation in raising awareness about ecological issues.
- She highlights the importance of small, consistent actions and the need for political will and prayers to protect the environment.
- Marjorie calls for a more basic and inclusive global spiritual consciousness that links dogma and practices to global human experiences.
- Participants raise questions about integrating care for creation into parish activities and the role of the church in environmental advocacy.
- Marjorie and other speakers discuss the importance of education, formation, and collective action in addressing ecological issues.