By caring for our planet, we ensure abundance to feed
  the human family.  Outdoors market in Sucre, Bolivia. 
  (Charis Barks (c) www.boliviabella.com)

It is a promise and commitment to live our faith more fully by protecting God's creation and his human family through small changes in lifestyle that cumulatively and over time make a significant impact in our world and the lives of many.

What is the basis for this initiative? The foundation for Catholic teaching on climate is built upon the principles of prudence, poverty, and the common good.

Prudence is intelligence applied to our actions …a thoughtful, deliberate, and reasoned basis for taking or avoiding action to achieve a moral good. — [U.S. Bishops]

Who is taking the St. Francis Pledge? Anyone who is a believer, including individuals, families, parishes, Catholic institutions and schools, and communities.

The St. Francis Pledge is a project by Catholic Climate Covenant, an initiative of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change [CCCC].  It outlines five elements within the commitment: to Pray, to Learn, to Assess, to Act and to Advocate.

The first step after making the St. Francis Pledge is to pray, reflecting on the duty of the faithful to care for God’s creation and to protect and advocate for the poor and vulnerable.  The site suggests to 'Let your prayer reflect your desire to learn how you are being called to make a difference.' The Holy Spirit will lead the way!
 

THE ST. FRANCIS PLEDGE -

I/We Pledge to:

    * PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.
    * LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change.
    * ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.
    * ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change.
    * ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.
 

For creative examples on how individuals and groups are fulfilling their commitments, check the real stories on Catholic Climate Covenant's website, which also offers suggestions, big and small, on how to live out the promise of caring for God's creation, such as 'reduce, reuse and recycle.'

Because this initiative is deeply moral and spiritual at its core, appropriate prayers are suggested to be prayed privately and in community. Many of St. Francis' prayers are suggested, as these are deeply ecological and charitable towards the poor. In addition, readings from the Bible, reflections and teachings by the Fathers and Popes are also offered.  Tying these themes to the Eucharist, let us pray...
 

Help us to live your saving justice, Lord.
Help us to care for your creation,
Working along side of you,
In your garden in this world.

In doing so, we pray
That we may be in solidarity with the poor,
Living as Eucharistic people
And caring for our environment.
[An excerpt from Loving and Creator God Prayer - Cathy Melesky Dante]
 

Let's live our faith. PRAY, LEARN, ASSESS, ACT & ADVOCATE!

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For other stories on EcoCatholicism:

Religion 101: Why take the St. Francis Pledge?

For more information:

On Catholic Climate Covenant:
http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/

On taking the St. Francis Pledge:
http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/the-st-francis-pledge/

On tips to reduce your impact on the environment:
http://catholicsandclimatechange.org/pdf/Everyday_Approaches.pdf

On Pope Benedict XVI & Pope John Paul II regarding the environment:
http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/pdf/Bulletin_Quotes_and_%20Clip_Art.pdf