On 4 October, the Vatican released the new apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum. The document is a new edition of Pope Francis’ Laudato si’, which was published seven years ago. “Laudate Deum,” Latin for “Praise God,” focuses on the critical truths and the urgency of the climate crisis as the Earth is approaching a point of no return. Issued on the last day of the year’s Season of Creation, Laudate Deum calls for society to reinvent the meaning of progress and development with regard to caring for creation and in reverence of God.
The Reconciliation with Creation (RWC) network of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, in collaboration with Jesuit Communications Philippines, is hosting an online panel discussion on the message and call of Laudate Deum. The panel discussion will focus on the significance of the encyclical in the context of Asia Pacific today.
The session will be hosted by Fr Nono Alfonso SJ, director of Jesuit Communications Philippines. Four speakers from different countries in the Asia Pacific who are experienced in environmental work will be participating in the discussion: Fr. Jett Villarin SJ, Ms. Julie Edwards, Ms. Mary Khine, and Fr. Sunu Hardiyanto SJ.
Fr Jett Villarin SJ is the director of the Manila Observatory, a non-profit scientific research institution in the Philippines. He was a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for its work on environmental research. He is also a former president of the Ateneo de Manila University.
Ms Julie Edwards is the secretary for Social Ministries of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific. She is the CEO of Jesuit Social Services in Australia. Her service to the community and work in social and environmental justice were officially recognised in the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List with the awarding of a Medal of the Order of Australia.
Ms. Mary Khine is a social worker, serving the community in Kayah and Southern Shan in Myanmar. Her work is focused on social welfare and caring for the environment.
Fr Sunu Hardiyanto SJ is a novice master who has a doctorate degree in marine ecology, specifically mangroves. He is the former provincial of the Indonesian Province of the Society of Jesus.
The online panel discussion will be held on 8 November at 10 AM Philippine Standard Time. Viewers will be able to watch the live stream of the discussion on the Facebook pages of Jesuit Communications Philippines and JCAP and JesCom TV on YouTube.