Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Pope Francis's message for the 2024 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation highlights the pressing climate change crisis, emphasizing an urgent need to respond to global warming impacts with unity, love, and a commitment to sustainable practices. This message builds on his previous papal messages, including the 2015 encyclical that recognized the connection between care for the environment and care for humanity, especially the poor.

"This year’s summer message is partly inspired by St. Paul's Letter to the Romans which speaks of the divine connection between creation and the children of God," Pope Francis stated. He urged all to hear "the cry of the earth and the poor with the realism of faith and hope."

Since 2007, Christian churches worldwide have joined together at the end of summer for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This tradition began in response to growing concerns about environmental degradation when the Third European Ecumenical Assembly proposed celebrating a “Season for Creation” from September 1 to October 4. During this period, Christian churches renew their faith in God as Creator and join in prayer and action for environmental stewardship.

This call aligns closely with Hawaiian values such as aloha ʻāina (love and respect for land) and ‘ohana (family). By embracing these values, communities honor their bond with nature, fostering responsibility and stewardship.

In Hawaii, recovery efforts continue following last year's Maui wildfires. Signs of community solidarity are evident through initiatives like those led by Pūʻā Foundation. The foundation has launched the Punahoa Heritage Forest initiative on Hawai’i Island, aiming to restore a 1,300-acre parcel returned by the United Church of Christ as partial reparation for their role in overthrowing Hawaii's monarchy in 1893.

The initiative seeks to preserve this forest as a place where Hawaiian cultural and environmental best practices can thrive. Its mission includes creating a space for gathering, rejuvenation, and cultural expression while upholding values such as Mālama ʻĀina (care for land), Mālama Kānaka (care for people), Mālama Honua (care for earth), Mālama i ke kai (care for sea), Mālama i ka wai (care for water), all practiced with Haʻahaʻa (humility) and Aloha (love).

For more information on Punahoa Heritage Forest initiative visit www.punahoaheritageforest.org. For Pope Francis's full message on this year's World Day of Prayer visit www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/cura-creato/documents/20240627-messaggio-giornata-curacreato.html.