This short film is based on Pope Francis’ 2023 document Laudate Deum, using dramatic images and footage of the current climate crisis interspersed with excerpts from the document and expert observations offered by Caroline Brouillette, ED of Climate Action Network Canada, Dr. Hilda Koster, Prof of Theology and Ecology, U of Toronto and ORCIE Board Member, Dr. Darlene O’Leary, Co-ordinator of the Martha Justice Ministry, Antigonish, NS. It is also an effective primer on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and analyzes the effectiveness of the annual UN meetings concerning the climate crisis.
Education
Webinar Resources: From Ecological Debt to Ecological Hope
On March 18th, ORCIE hosted an engaging webinar titled From Ecological Debt to Ecological Hope, part of our ongoing engagement in the Jubilee 2025 campaign, “Turn Debt into Hope.” With 136 registered participants, the event brought together religious leaders from Canada and Brazil to address the urgent need for ecological and financial justice in the Global South. The webinar’s primary intention was to highlight the burden of unjust, unpayable debts faced by many countries and to discuss how religious communities can amplify their voices within the Jubilee campaign, especially that of religious in the Global South. The session featured guest speakers from diverse backgrounds: Elton Bozzetto (Brazilian journalist), Sr. Nilva Dal Bello (CSJ Brazil), Sue Wilson (CSJ Canada), and Sasquia Antúnez Pineda (ORCIE’s Advocacy and Communications Officer).
Key Takeaways: The speakers shared insights on the urgent need for debt cancellation, with reflections on the Biblical call for social and ecological justice. As Pope Francis stated, “God is the first to forgive debts, as we always ask in the ‘Our Father.’ The Jubilee calls us to translate this forgiveness into social terms so that no individual, family, or people is crushed by debt.” This message was central to the calls to action brought forward during the webinar, including: Reigniting the meaning of the Jubilee Year in terms of Biblical social and ecological justice. Amplifying the voices of religious and social movements for ecological justice in the Global South. Building the ecumenical justice movement in Canada and internationally. Gathering 100,000 signatures from Canadians on the Jubilee petition to support debt justice.
The discussions were enriched by interpretation in French, English, and Portuguese.
Missed the Webinar? Find the links to all resources here:
Webinar Recording – From Ecological Debt to Ecological Hope
The full recording of our Spring 2025 ORCIE webinar is now available. This powerful conversation explores the links between ecological and financial debt, with voices from the Global South and faith communities calling for justice, solidarity, and systemic change.
A version with English and French subtitles will be available soon.