Australians are being urged to secure their place before registrations close on Wednesday for the Catholic Earthcare Season of Creation Gathering 2026, a landmark national event bringing together Catholics from across the country to explore faith-filled responses to some of today's most urgent environmental and social challenges.
Taking place online on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September, the two-day gathering will unite participants from parishes, schools, dioceses, religious congregations, social services and Catholic organisations in a national conversation on caring for creation, ecological justice and practical action. The gathering is an endorsed Caritas Australia initiative, delivered in partnership with Catholic Religious Australia and supported by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service.
Participants will hear from leading Catholic and international voices including Archbishop Peter Loy Chong of Fiji, Bishop Timothy Norton SVD of Broome, Alwin Macalalad from the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Julie Edwards from Jesuit Social Services, and First Nations leaders including Shirley Quaresimin. The program also features practical workshops covering topics ranging from climate justice and integral ecology to Catholic education, parish action planning, First Nations perspectives, health and wellbeing, and community responses to environmental challenges. See program here: Season-of-Creation-2026-Program.pdf
Anne Walker, National Executive Director of Catholic Religious Australia, said, "Across Australia, people are looking for hope and practical ways to respond to the environmental and social issues affecting our communities and our world. The Season of Creation Gathering brings together wisdom, faith, experience and action, equipping Catholics to live out their call to care for our common home in meaningful and transformative ways."
Chair of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service, Bishop Timothy Harris, said the gathering reflects the Church's commitment to responding with faith, compassion and courage.
“The Season of Creation Gathering is a powerful opportunity for Catholics to deepen their understanding of Laudato Si’, to truly see the interconnectedness of creation and hear the cry of the earth and the poor. Together, we are called not only to reflect, but to act with courage, faith, and hope, as we care for all of God’s creation.”
With keynote presentations exploring climate justice, Catholic Social Teaching, integral ecology and synodal conversion, alongside more than 20 practical workshops, organisers are encouraging anyone interested in faith, social justice, education, ecology or community leadership to register before places close.
Register here: https://www.caritas.org.au/soc-gathering/ by Wednesday 2nd September.
Download the document here.
Media Contact: Tara Harvey, 0484 002 021, tara.harvey@caritas.org.au