Hong Kong’s rich multi-faith society has the potential, to become a pivot for positive ecological
and moral change. Pope Francis’ Encyclical is an invaluable resource for all faiths.
For Immediate Release
The Hong Kong Interfaith Climate Network (HKICN) sincerely thanks Pope Francis for his encyclical
Laudato Si ‘Praise be to you, my Lord,’ and welcome his call on all people of faith and none; the
whole human family to care for creation and to protect our common home.
We support Pope Francis recognition of the urgency of the ecological crisis and that the climate is a
common good - we all have a responsibility to act. We also join Pope Francis in his call on the human
family to shift away from the use of fossil fuels and to consume less.
“At the heart of Laudato Si is an empowering belief in all humanity to work together to safeguard
our common home and the urgent need for dialogue and integral solutions on climate change. We
hope that the the encyclical will be a catalyser to other faith communities to amplify their position
on climate change and call upon world leaders to adopt a strong climate change agreement,” said
Ciara Shannon, OurVoices Coordinator and HKICN’s founding chair
Fr Patrick Colgan from the Missionary Society of St Columban and an HKICN founding member says:
"As a Catholic missionary, our congregation has seen rainforests logged and destroyed, oceans
overfished, fresh water polluted and mines scar and poison whole habitats. Therefore I am delighted
that this Encyclical truly captures the extent of the modern ecological crisis – both climate change
and the destruction of biodiversity. Education will be key to having the vision of this document
implemented across the wider religious world. I believe this document may be the 'game changer' as
the UN plans towards COP 21 in Paris at year's end.”
“Pope Francis' encyclical addresses the greatest threat to humanity in our time, so it's perhaps the
most critical encyclical for the Catholic Church. It is one that other faith traditions should pay close
attention to. Buddhists are gradually but perceptibly making their voices heard and there is much
common ground we can discuss with the Catholic Church on countering climate change together.”
Commented Raymond Lam from Buddhistdoor and an HKICN founding member
Kathleen Ferrier, a Protestant Christian and a HKICN founding member added by saying” The Pope
has made a call upon all of humanity - to each and every one of us, to take unprecedented action to
save our common home, planet earth. Start by becoming aware of your consumption patterns. And
join the Hong Kong #peoplespilgrimage on #September28.”
As a “World City” with a rich multi-faith culture, Hong Kong at the heart of Asia has the potential, to
become a pivot for positive change in the Region, ecological and moral, and this Encyclical is an
invaluable resource for all faiths.
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HKICN and the People’s Pilgrimage Spokesperson Contact Details: Ciara Shannon, Our Voices
(Asia) +852 62096775 (cell) | ciarashannon.hk@gmail.com
Notes for Editor
 Founded in 2014, the Hong Kong Interfaith Climate Network (HKICN) was set up to support the
spiritual and moral imperative of interfaith action on climate change in Hong Kong. Further
information can be found at: www.hkicn.wordpress.com
 See the HKICN Statement of Thanks to Pope Francis here:
https://hkicn.wordpress.com/2015/06/19/the-hong-kong-interfaith-climate-network-hkicnthanks-his-holiness-pope-francis-on-his-encyclical-on-the-environment-laudato-si/
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The People’s Pilgrimage has been created in partnership with numerous faith and spiritual
groups to mobilise their goodwill, prayers and actions on climate change. On each continent
ordinary people are walking to demonstrate their deep concern about climate change issues taking journeys of any length, whether a few steps, a few miles, or across continents. Pilgrims
will state their demands to the world’s governments by converging in Paris, in time for the
opening on 30 November of the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change (COP 21). Further information of the People’s Pilgrimage can be found at
www.peoplespilgrimage.org