“interdependence obliges us to think of one world with a common plan”.

(Laudato Si’, 164)

This week, there has been special recognition of the fifth anniversary of the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, on care for our common home, planet Earth.

In his encyclical, Pope Francis teaches us how to build a better world together, with a common plan. As we live through history-shaping events related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are urged once again to note how ‘everything to do with our shared home is connected.’

The coronavirus pandemic has created uncertainty and suffering in our world. Our compassion goes out to those who suffer directly from the COVID-19 respiratory disease, those who put themselves at risk every day to serve others, and those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods.

In addition to the tragedy of this experience, we recognise the tragedy that a disease such as COVID-19 has long been predicted.

Many of the most devastating diseases from the past few decades, such as Ebola, bird flu, and SARS, have come from animals, just as this coronavirus did. In fact, 75% of emerging infectious diseases come from the animal world. The coronavirus that is now sweeping the world first arose from bats.

In 2007, scientists warned that the presence of these viruses in bats was a “timebomb,” especially taken together with the increasing practice of destoying natural habitats and trading illegal wildlife, which reduces the natural barriers that would otherwise separate us from these animals.

The emergence of this coronavirus is one sign of the devastating consequences of the way we treat nature and each other. In the past months, bushfires made more likely by climate change have ravaged our country. Unusually hot weather and heavy rain associated with climate change have given rise to a devastating storm of locusts in Eastern Africa. Sadly, even air pollution is increasing the risk of death for people who have COVID-19.

We cannot be healthy as humans if the planet is unhealthy. Around the world, we see that the human family is part of the natural world, and that the way we treat nature, each other, and the Creator are all connected.

As the world struggles with coping with COVID-19, a health catastrophe, we are asked to take wise and compassionate notice of the similarities between the effects of the virus, and global ecological issues:

• Both are global emergencies that will affect many people, both directly and indirectly.
• Both are experienced most deeply by the poor and vulnerable, and both expose the deep injustices in our societies.
• Both will be solved only through a united effort that calls on the best of the values we share.