Caritas Australia and Catholic Religious Australia have announced the national Catholic Earthcare Season of Creation Gathering 2026: Listen Reflect Act online event will be held from 3 – 4 September.
An endorsed Caritas Australia initiative supported by the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service in partnership with Catholic Religious Australia, the Season of Creation Gathering invites participants to listen deeply, reflect faithfully, and act courageously in care for all creation.
Through a combination of inspiring keynote presentations and practical workshops, the event aims to:
- Foster deep formation across the Catholic community in integral ecology and Catholic Social Teaching.
- Articulate a cohesive Catholic response to ecological challenges.
- Inspire practical, faith-filled action across ministries and communities.
Recognising the urgent environmental challenges facing our world, it also responds to Pope Francis’ call for ecological conversion and care for our common home.
“In a time when our common home faces unprecedented challenges, the Season of Creation Gathering offers a grace-filled opportunity to come together to listen, reflect and act with hope,” said the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service Chair, Bishop Timothy Harris.
“I warmly encourage all to participate, so that we may deepen our faith, strengthen our unity, and respond with love and responsibility to care for all creation.”
The Day 1 Formation for All session comprises keynote presentations that encourage participants to deepen their understanding of integral ecology. The 2026 keynote speakers comprise:
- Bishop Timothy Norton, Bishop of Broome
- Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, Archbishop of Suva, Fiji
- Julie Edwards, CEO, Jesuit Social Services
- Rev Anthony J Doran, Executive Secretary for Liturgy, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
The Day 2 Workshops session explores current environmental challenges and opportunities for action, helping participants identify tangible ways to care for our common home across parish, organisation, school and ministry contexts.
Individual registration for both days is $20. Group Registration for parishes, schools or organisations with participants from the same location is $100.
For further information and to register, visit www.caritas.org.au/soc-gathering
Season of Creation
As described by Pope Leo XIV, The Season of Creation is “the annual Christian celebration to pray and respond together to the cry of Creation: the ecumenical family around the world unites to contemplate and care for our common home, the Oikos of God.”
Globally, The Season of Creation commences on 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and concludes on 4 October, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.
