Pope Francis reminds us that the bishops of Southern Africa have urged us to consider how “everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation”.
The Pope himself clearly envisions people from all faiths and all walks of life playing valuable roles in restoring our common home: “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.”
Beginning with such inclusivity will help our restoration projects simultaneously improve land health, human health and economic well-being for all, rather than just one of those goals in isolation.
That’s what is needed to heal our inner-city communities AND our rural communities at this point in time: MAKING BOTH ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION and COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MORE INCLUSIVE!
Brother Coyote, OEF
