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Father Joshtrom Kureethadam SDB to coordinate the plans for the Year of laudato S`
Indian Salesian Father Joshtrom Kureethadam Appointed Head of Laudato Si Year
30 May 2020
News written by: Father Gilbert Choondal
The Vatican has appointed Indian Salesian Father Joshtrom Kureethadam SDB the coordinator of the Sector on Ecology and Creation. Father Kureethadam is to coordinate plans to materialize the visions of Laudato Si as Pope Francis has announced 24 May 2020 to 24 May 2021 as a special year of the papal encyclical.
The Sector on Ecology and Creation functions under the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development which is the organising Commission. Father Joshtrom, from Salesian Province of Hyderabad currently works in the Vatican Dicastery.
Laudato Si` is the first encyclical on Ecology. This year is the 5th anniversary of the encyclical by Pope Francis, which was well received by the world religion, the United Nations and political groups. ``It is time to implement Laudato Si`,`` said, Father Joshtrom. He has laid out the objectives, aims and action plan as Laudato Si` Year was ushered in with Laudato Si` Week from 16 May 2020 to 24 May 2020. The Pope has composed a prayer for the year dedicated to the intercession of Mary Help of Christians, whose feast is celebrated on 24 May.
Apart from the anniversary of Laudato Si`, Father Joshtrom has other reasons for the announced year. He said that science has warned of ``precarious state of the earth our common home``. He stressed on the ``tragic experiences of so many vulnerable communities around the world``. Children have been getting out onto the streets ``to tell us that we cannot steal their future``.
In the event of Covid-19, the Indian priest said, the humanity is ``interdependent and interconnected`` and is in need for ``solidarity in order to create a new world``. ``All these crises can be an opportunity, a moment of grace to begin anew and build a world together, responding to the invitation of Pope Francis,`` added Father Joshtrom.
The Dicastery has planned a slew of events and celebrations, mostly to be observed online due to the pandemic. Father Joshtrom and his team have further plans for seven sectors of the society for seven years after the Laudato Si` Year. Nitika Don Bosco, the Catechetical Centre has prepared a video about this special year in Faith Ministry Channel of the YouTube. The video provides all information on the Laudato Si` Year.
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