Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate  United States Province

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The Human Embryo Created by God is Sacred October 29th, 2026

(Contributed by: Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI)

The human embryo created by God is indeed sacred because it is a human person in its earliest stage. Sadly, the embryo is being threatened more and more and killed by many.
 
The embryo is made by God with the cooperation of a married woman and man in the Sacrament of Marriage. The main purpose of marriage is to give new life to our world as the married couple increase their love for one another. It is God who gives the soul in the embryo. This is confirmed in the word of God that we have read for years in Psalm 139:13-16, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
 
Sadly, the embryo is being destroyed more and more in various types of abortion. Abortion presently is the major cause of death each year in our country. According to reputable sources there are at least 1.1 million every year. More than 65% of those deaths are caused by abortion drugs sent through the mail with little to no medical oversight. In addition to ending the lives of babies, abortion pills are dangerous for the mothers who take them. These pills have been found to cause four times as many complications as surgical abortion. Each Parish should have well prepared people, especially women who can reach out and access parents who might be contemplating abortion or have had an abortion in the past. Compassion is at the very heart of this mission, because care for these mothers and babies are given hope and a future. The Human Embryo Created by God is Sacred 
 
Pope Leo XIV in his wonderful Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, explores the foundation and principles of our understanding and appreciation of human life, especially human dignity which forms the basis of Catholic Social Doctrine as well as for the good of all humanity. Pope Leo stressed “that the dignity of every human being that having been willed, is created and led by God” and is unchanged and fixed – with God-given features of human nature. This comes from our being created in the image and likeness of God.
 
This does not mean, however, that our grasp of the depths of human dignity, of its contours and dimensions, or of the ethical demands that the recognition of that dignity entails, does not need to develop and mature. Precisely because it comes from our being created in the image and likeness of God, human dignity always remains an important measure, a mystery to be contemplated and plumbed more deeply.
 
READ FULL STATEMENT: https://bit.ly/48kAtKo

2025 Season of Creation: Peace with Creation August 26th, 2025

Clergy in maroon robe

Bishop Michael Pfeifer, O.M.I.
Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of San Angelo

The theme for this year’s Season of Creation is “Peace with Creation”. The Season of Creation is an ecumenical initiative that takes place annually from September 1, the World Day of Prayer for Creation, to October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Creation. The Biblical base for the theme, “Peace with Creation”, comes from Isaiah 32:14-18. During the Season of Creation, we join together as sisters and brothers of a universal family celebrating in prayer and action how to renew our appreciation, our commitment, conversion and our care and activities to protect and bring new life to Mother Earth, our Common Home. The Season is in the spirit of truth a time to do a heart-filled assessment of the situation of Mother Earth which is suffering many abuses and misuses by we humans. The Season of Creation is a source of strength and communion encouraging us to truly hope and act justly with all of creation. To begin in a deep spirit of heartfelt gratitude, we thank our loving God for the beautiful gift of all creation.

Pope Francis had designated the first day of the Season of Creation, September 1 st , as the World Day of Prayer for Creation, calling every person living on this planet to pray and to care for our shared Earth. To aide us in our prayer, Pope Leo XIV recently approved and offered the new Holy Mass for the Care of Creation. 

In his Homily, Pope Leo shared, “On this beautiful day, I would begin by asking everyone, including myself, to take stock of what we are celebrating here amid the beauty of what might be called the ‘cathedral’ of nature, with so many plants and elements of creation that have brought us together to celebrate the Eucharist, which means to give thanks to the Lord.” Pope Leo continued, “Our Mission to care for creation, to foster peace and reconciliation, is Jesus’ own mission, the mission that the Lord entrust to us.” In April 2025, Pope Francis announced that “Seeds of Peace and Hope” is the theme of this year’s World Day of Prayer. The metaphor of Seeds indicates there is a long-time commitment, while expressing hope that the Seeds of Peace may have a date when they may emerge in new life across all continents, as we pray and work for peace. This day reminds us of the strong connection between war and the degradation of our planet, which is seen in the waste of resources due to destruction and violence. The World Day of Prayer is another opportunity for us to connect with our Creator, God, and allow the Lord to redefine our relationship with the environment: from one of consumption and control and abuse, to one of care and protection.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT

 


2024 Season of Creation: We Are The Seeds of Hope September 12th, 2024

2024 Season of Creation

Join in This Global Celebration
 (Image by David Clode, Pixabay.jpg)

The Season of Creation is an annual observance for Christians all around the world to come together in prayer to celebrate and protect God’s earth. It takes place from September 1 to October 4, ending on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  This year’s theme calls us to “Hope & Act for Creation.” 
Green tree branches in woods with a small bridge over pond

2024: What is the ‘Season of Creation’? — By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of San Angelo

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Green and blue earth showing one house upper right of image

Letter of the Superior General: 2023 World Day of Prayer
for the
Care of Creation

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Blue background, yellow honeybee diving into pink flower

2024: Season of Creation Reflections: “To Hope & Act with Creation” by Maurice Lange, JPIC Director, Presentation Sisters

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Learn more about the climate issues by visiting these websites:

Season of Creation 
Invites you to use these resources and share them with your church, pastor or other regional authority to join the Season of Creation, and even spread the word to local media.

Laudato Si Movement
The Laudato Si Movement works within the Catholic Church to better care for our common home.

Catholic Climate Covenant
Catholic Climate Covenant inspires and equips people and institutions to care for creation and care

Creation Justice Ministries
Seeks justice for God’s planet and God’s people

Interfaith Power & Light
Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA) works with hundreds of congregations of all faiths across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia to save energy, go green, and respond to climate change. Together, they are building a religious response to the climate crisis.


What is the Season of Creation? August 27th, 2024

Pope Francis calls for a World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

By: Bishop Michael Pfeifer, O.M.I, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of San Angelo

Clergy in maroon robe Green, gold, red diocese logo

The Season of Creation is an ecumenical monthlong moment of prayerful reflection and celebration which began several years ago and calls us to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During this Season we join together as sisters and brothers of a universal family in prayer and action to renew our appreciation, our commitment, and our care and activities to protect and bring new life to Mother Earth, our Common Home, as we thank our loving God for the beautiful gift of all creation.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT

The theme for this Season of Creation is “To Hope and Act with Creation” and it is also the theme designated by Pope Francis for the World Day of Prayer of Creation which takes place on September 1st , the first day of the annual Season of Creation, which will end on October 4th , the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis is the Patron Saint of ecology and is beloved by many Christian and other denominations. Pope Francis in the statement Laudato Si calls Mother Earth, our Common Home, that we will pass on to the next generations. Pope Francis’ World Day of Prayer focuses on thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for the beautiful gift of all of creation, and asking God’s continuing blessings on this wonderful gift.

Hands planting into soilThe Laudato Si Movement points out that in accord with this year’s theme of Hope, the symbol is the first fruits of hope inspired by (Rom 8;19-25) which is to produce new life. The biblical image pictures the Earth as a mother groaning as in childbirth (Rom 8;22). Saint Francis understood this when he referred often to the Earth as our sister and our mother in his Canticle of Creatures. In so many ways the present moment we live sadly shows that we are not fully relating to the Earth as a gift from our Creator but most often as a resource to be used selfishly and not to protect, to enrich, and renew this wonderful gift. “Creation is groaning” (Rom 8;22) because of our selfishness and our unsustainable actions that harm her.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT

 


Earth Day Calls for a Respect for Biodiversity April 16th, 2012

We are grateful to Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI, of the Diocese of San Angelo for his Earth Day reflection on biodiversity, and wanted to share that here. (Download PDF)

 

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