Pope Francis sent a message commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Earth Charter. Below find the image of the original letter and below find the translation to English.
Brasilia, 27 June 2020
N. 21.238/20
Dear Mrs. Ana Laise,
Let me convey to you the Message that, on behalf of the Holy Pope Francis, His Excellency Don Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for the Secretary of State, sends you on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the “Earth Charter” publication (June 29, 2020):
Mrs.
Ana Laise da Silva Alves
President of Alternativa Terrazul Association,
His Holiness Pope Francis greets all the participants of the Festival, held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Earth Charter publication, which seeks to contribute to the construction of a sustainable society based on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice and a culture of peace.
In this sense, the Holy Father asks to remember that, in order to recognize the value of creatures, of nature, putting limits on the degradation of our common home, it is necessary to cultivate the “basic attitude of self-transcending, moving apart from an isolated conscience and self-referentiality”, since this is the basis to care for others and the environment: and it gives rise to the moral reaction of taking into account the impact that each personal action and decision may cause outside of oneself.
When we are able to overcome individualism, an alternative lifestyle can really be developed and make possible a relevant change in society (Encyclical Laudato Si´, n. 208). And by vowing that this event will produce many fruits, concretized in actions and initiatives that help to create awareness of an “ecological citizenship” (ibid, 211), Pope Francis asks God to enlighten you, placing such votes at the feet of Our Lady Aparecida, Patroness of Brazil.
+ Edgar Peña Parra,
Substitute for the Secretary of State.
Joining the express vows of this Message, I take this opportunity to offer you cordial greetings,
Dom Giovanni d´Aniello
Apostolic Nuncio
