top of page
Writer's pictureProfiles in Catholicism

Climate and Environmental Challenges

Updated: May 13, 2021



A Message from the Editor


Climatic changes already are estimated to cause over 150,000 deaths annually. Our silence and inaction to reduce this challenge could make us morally complicate in these deaths.


A Quote to Remember


“Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have” by Margaret Mead Special Prayer


A Prayer for our Earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day.| Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. by Pope Francis



עַל־אֵלֶּה אֲנִי בוֹכִיָּה עֵינִי עֵינִי יֹרְדָה מַּיִם כִּי־רָחַק מִמֶּנִּי מְנַחֵם מֵשִׁיב נַפְשִׁי הָיוּ בָנַי שׁוֹמֵמִים כִּי גָבַר אוֹיֵב׃ (איכה

א:טז)


"For these things do I weep, My eyes flow with tears: Far from me is any comforter Who might revive my spirit; My children are forlorn, For the foe has prevailed." (Lamentations 1:16)


Our hearts are heavy after the tragic loss of 45 souls. Today is a national day of mourning in Israel and throughout the Jewish world for those who perished in the terrible disaster that occurred during the Lag BaOmer celebrations on Mt.Meron in Northern Israel. Our deep condolences go out to all the families whose lives are torn apart now, including children who are orphaned, and parents who lost children.


הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אתם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלַיִם


May the Omnipresent comfort them among the rest of the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. by Rabbi Rick Jacobs , President of the Union for Reform Judaism.


Oh Lord, we are anguished at the murder of young girls in Afghanistan.

Less than a week ago.

They lived in an impoverished area of Kabul,

members of the Hazara minority.

Even a local maternity hospital was attacked

just a year ago.


They are targeted both as a minority

and as young women seeking to become educated

and contribute to their society.

These murders are horrific and shameful.

And with U.S. and NATO troops scheduled to leave

by the historic date of September 11, 2021,

one can only suspect

that more killings of the young and innocent,

especially girls and women,

will take place.


We pray that the local authorities will be able to

stop these future killings before they take place.

And we pray for the innocent victims and their families

that they may find peach and solace

in an Afghanistan that can find its way out of the turmoils

of the present and future.


All humans are created in the image and likeness of God,

so we raise our hearts and souls in prayer, Oh Lord,

that a way to peace and prosperity for all

in Afghanistan can at long last be found.

by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for India


"The situation is very grim here. We are short of everything," said Dr. Aniket Sirohi, a municipal health official in south Delhi. "I want to say to the world, 'Help us, in any way you can.'"


“Who Will Be the Hands and Feet of the Good Samaritan?” (cf. Lk 10: 25-37)


One death, Lord, your dreadful death, on the outskirts of a city,

Between two criminals, one of whom turned to you in hope and was Welcomed, even before death, into paradise, helped to turn the end Into a beginning that spread by word of mouth and, when disciples, Women first then men after, became witnesses of the fact that you Had risen from the dead, Your death and resurrection began, slowly, Touching the world with a new beginning, turning sorrow into joy.


You knew, Lord, the slow and painful death by asphyxiation, Struggling to breathe while nailed to a cross, as you struggled Upwards only to slump downwards, heavily hanging on the nails.


Our cross, Lord, is the shortage of oxygen, the number of people

Suffering from infections, the overwhelming need for vaccinations, Help for our medical staff and the sheer scale of cremating the dead.


How few were Your friends and yet how many You had helped in Your short life, going around as You did, helping who was there, Whether they came specially, were brought or You came to them.


Our hospitals are now warehouses, our beds made of cardboard,

Our trains are already turned into travelling wards with equipment

And our burial grounds are fires in car parks and public places.


Accompany us, Lord, as we travel this rising road of a scale off the Scales of patients, throughout the country, whether in the city or the countryside, whether alone or with innumerable, tired other people.

Come and visit us, Lord, bring your friends, wherever they are to be Found, from whatever country, nationality, creed or walk of life, Bring them to us, from near or far, and multiply their helping hands.


Your resurrection, Lord, needs to seep through us all and become Ours, not ours alone but a yeast-full, youthful inheritance that Enables the young to have hope, the weary to be rested, the strong to Not fail, the widowed to be comforted, the orphan helped, our Resources increased, our strategies improved, poverty alleviated,


Economies resourced and rejuvenated and discoveries made that drive us into a new “moment” of advancing our common humanity.


[1][1] Lauren Frayer and Sushmita Pathak, “India Is Counting Thousands Of Daily COVID Deaths. How Many Is It Missing?”:

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/04/30/992451165/india-is-counting-thousands-of-daily-covid-deaths-how-many-is-it-missing?t=1620645749635


by Francis Etheredge, author of, Within Reach of You: A Book of Prose and Prayers – forthcoming from En Route Books and Media, June 2021.


A Prayer for Those Who Died in the Hospital Fire in India

Good and gracious God,

We ask you to assist India in their fight against the virus. The recent outbreak in India has been disastrous. 18 people died by fire in a hospital that was serving them for the virus. The fire was a devastating blow to the people who were not there for those dying in this most painful manner. Assist their families in the healing process and allow those who died to enter the kingdom of heaven with you. We ask you this through Jesus Christ your Son, Our Lord. Amen by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism


Environment and Climate Change Interviews

Non-Environment/Climate Change Interviews

Profiles in Catholicism relies on its readers for financial support. Please help us with a $10.00 donation





Environment and Climate Change Articles/Commentaries

General Articles/Commentaries


Featured Report

Featured Report

Please support one of our organizations, colleagues, and friends who need help

Book Reviews/Commentaries

Television Reviews/Commentaries

Film Reviews/Commentaries

Feasting with the Saints

Videos


Climate Change - We are the PROBLEM & the SOLUTION


Climate Change: The Science and Global Impact|SDGAcademyX


On Care for Our Common Home: Edward Foley, Capuchin

JESUIT STORIES​: Healing Mother Earth

Climate Change Song (The Time is Now)

bottom of page