The Dutch bishops endorse Pope Francis’ invitation to pray for Creation tomorrow, September 1st, in a release issued today on the website of the Bishops Conference, relayed by the seven dioceses of the Netherlands. Pointing out that “for the first time last year the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation was also held in the Roman Catholic Church, in keeping with a practice that has gone on for some time now in the Orthodox Churches”. The bishops think it is important to emphasise the Christian dimension of care for the environment, meant as “creation”: as voiced by Pope Francis in his Laudato si’, Christian efforts are rooted in the awareness “that the life of our world is God’s gift”, that “God is the source of our life”, and that “God has entrusted human beings with taking care of Creation”. In addition, working hard for such “common house” means living in “solidarity with all men, especially those who suffer poverty and are in need”, as well as building “peace and security in our world”. In their invitation to pray, the Dutch bishops mention some statements made by Pontiffs Benedict XVI and John Paul II, while drawing attention to the specific role that tomorrow will be playing as part of the Holy Year of Mercy: “care for creation is a deed of mercy for our common house”.