British Catholic church leaders endorse CAFOD and SCIAF's encyclical guide

The heads of the Catholic Church in England, Wales and Scotland - Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Philip Tartaglia - are encouraging the Catholic community to embrace the opportunity to reflect, act and pray, following the release of the Pope's landmark encyclical, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Philip Tartaglia.

In a joint statement, which concludes the new encyclical study guide created by development agencies CAFOD and SCIAF, the senior clerics said: "Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si', is an open dialogue with all people on the care of our common home. As a Catholic community, we are called by our faith to stand alongside poor communities and love God's creation. CAFOD and SCIAF bring witnesses from partners overseas and in the UK, to help shed light on this important teaching and what it means for us all today."

The study guide, available from 5 September, is intended to be used as a short accompaniment to Laudato Si'. It contains passages from the encyclical; first-person accounts from poor communities around the world and parishioners in the UK; discussion questions; ideas for action; and sections on prayer and reflection. It can be used individually or in a group to deepen understanding of the theology of creation and to encourage practical application of the encyclical's themes.

CAFOD and SCIAF have also joined with over a hundred Catholic organisations from all over the world, as part of the Global Catholic Climate Movement. Together they are gathering signatures for a petition calling on world leaders to live up to the challenge set by the encyclical, and act to tackle climate change and poverty. So far, nearly 10,000 Catholics in the UK have added their names.

Chris Bain, Director of CAFOD, said: "The Pope's message is one of hope: calling us to live out Gospel values and to work together to create a just world in which everyone and everything thrives. I hope this study guide - a joint effort between CAFOD and our sister agency SCIAF - will provide very practical ways for Catholics across the UK to engage deeply with the richness of the encyclical."

Alistair Dutton, Director of SCIAF, said: "In Laudato Si' Pope Francis urges us to grow in love for God, ourselves, each other and the natural world which sustains us. Our failure to attend to the interconnected nature of our world and care for our common home has caused widespread environmental destruction which hurts the poorest among us the most. I hope this study guide will help us all to savour the depths of Pope Francis' reflections, explore the spiritual, social and environmental challenges we face, and respond to his urgent call as one human family."

The encyclical study guide is a free resource that comes with an accompanying DVD of short talks by theologians including Bishop Marcelo Sorondo and Dr Karen Kilby.

To get your CAFOD copy see: www.cafod.org.uk/encyclical or by calling 0300 011 5680. Order the SCIAF edition on 0141 354 5555 or email sciaf@sciaf.org.uk