Japanese Bishop Calls for Deeper Ecological Conversion, Education for Season of Creation

A Japanese bishop underlined the need for deeper conversion and education centered on ecology as the Church prepares for the month-long Season of Creation this September.

Pondering on the season’s theme for this year, “Living Water,” Bishop Paul Daisuke Narui of the Laudato Si’ Section of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan (CBCJ) urged the faithful to elevate small efforts to cherish the interconnectedness of all life.

“Reflect on your own lifestyle,” said the bishop in a letter dated August 15. “As those entrusted with caring for and governing the whole world, which was created as very good, are we living in a way that is worthy of this calling and in accordance with the will of the Creator?”

The prelate pointed out that humans continue to disrupt the world’s natural water supply, contributing to record-breaking rainfall and droughts that lead to frequent flooding, pollution, and rising seawater temperatures.

“In Japan… increasing severity of torrential rains and typhoons in recent years has made us realize that water, while sustaining life, can also pose a major threat when development proceeds without due regard for the environment,” he explained.

“The water of life that God gives flows without ceasing, healing the earth we have wounded and renewing life that seemed lost,” he also said.

Moreover, the bishop echoed the CBCJ’s 2025 document, An Invitation to Integral Ecology, wherein they highlighted that 60% of water pollution in Japan stems from domestic wastewater.

Bishop Narui also called for better ecological education to guide the youth on what they can do to help guarantee clean water access to all.

“We must create opportunities for children growing up in the age of AI to learn and gain experiences that will help them cherish the preciousness of life and its interconnectedness,” he said.

The Season of Creation in the Catholic Church is observed from September 1 to October 4, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Established by Pope Francis in 2015, this time is reserved to celebrate God’s creation in prayer and taking action to protect our common home.

The World Day for Prayer for the Care of Creation, celebrated worldwide on September 1, is observed by the Catholic Church in Japan every first Sunday of September.