As the Season of Creation begins, Parliament of the World’s Religions (PWR) stands in solidarity with communities affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia, the devastating floods in Nepal, and the many other disasters occurring around the world – disasters that often remain unseen, unreported, or largely unknown beyond the communities experiencing them.
Climate Action Working Group remember those who have lost their lives, those searching for loved ones, families who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and communities struggling to recover. We also recognize the countless acts of courage, compassion, and solidarity that emerge in the midst of suffering.
The Season of Creation is an annual ecumenical observance held from Creation Day, celebrated on September 1st to October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, when Christians around the world come together in prayer to give thanks to God for His act of creation, to repent for the sins that have committed against His creation, and to love and protect what is His. It is the time for a spiritual ecological conversion when we renew our relationship with creation, recognizing that through Him, and with Him, and in Him, we are profoundly united with all that is His, recognizing that everything is interconnected as one sacred communion.
While rooted in the Christian tradition, the invitation of the Season of Creation reaches beyond Christianity. The care of our common home, concern for future generations, and responsibility toward the vulnerable are values shared by the world’s religious, spiritual and ethical traditions, as well as by people who identify with no religious tradition.
This year’s theme, “Living Water,” offers a simple and powerful reminder: water is life. Rivers, lakes, oceans, rain and glaciers sustain people, communities and ecosystems. Their protection is a responsibility we share.
Recent disasters remind us that behind every headline are real people, families, and communities whose suffering may never make the news. Their stories matter. Their lives matter. For the Parliament of the World’s Religions, solidarity knows no borders, religions, cultures, or nationalities. In moments of crisis, our shared humanity calls us to see suffering, accompany those affected, and work together for a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.
In the spirit of the Global Ethic, we affirm that humanity cannot flourish while the Earth and its most vulnerable communities suffer.
We invite people of every faith and worldview to use this Season of Creation as an opportunity to pause, listen, stand in solidarity and act.
Let us care for the Earth.Let us stand with those who suffer.Let us protect the most vulnerable.Let us turn compassion into action.
The climate and ecological crisis cannot be addressed by one religion, one nation or one community alone. It calls us to build bridges across our differences and draw upon wisdom, moral courage and shared values of humanity.
At the Parliament of the World’s Religions, we believe our diversity can become a source of wisdom, cooperation and hope.
In a world where so much suffering can remain unseen, let us choose to see, to care, and to act.
Together, let us protect the home we all share.
Climate Action Task Force
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Parliament of the World's Religions (PWR)
The Parliament of the World's Religions (PWR) acknowledges it is situated on the traditional homelands of the Bodéwadmik (Potawatomi), Hoocąk (Winnebago/Ho’Chunk), Jiwere (Otoe), Nutachi (Missouria), and Baxoje (Iowas); Kiash Matchitiwuk (Menominee); Meshkwahkîha (Meskwaki); Asâkîwaki (Sauk); Myaamiaki (Miami), Waayaahtanwaki (Wea), and Peeyankihšiaki (Piankashaw); Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo); Inoka (Illini Confederacy); Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), and Odawak (Odawa).
PWR recognizes the region we now call Chicago remains home to a diversity of Indigenous peoples today and this land upon which we walk, live, and play continues to be Indigenous land.