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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/p>\nThe Solemnity of Pentecost reminds us that everything which exists, every person and the whole of creation, is a gift of \u201cGod the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.\u201d God our loving <\/span>Father creates and continues to give life to the world through His Word, Jesus Christ, in the power of His Holy Spirit. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church, which we celebrate at\u00a0 Pentecost, is not something separate from Creation. God\u2019s revelation of himself in Creatio is inseparable from the revelation of his love for us in Christ and in his desire to live in us through <\/span>his Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018God\u2019s Spirit is always and everywhere \u201cthe Lord, the Giver of Life\u201d, and the voice of Pentecost is echoed in the voice of creation being transformed into the glorious liberty of God\u2019s children.\u2019 <\/span>In this liberty, as God\u2019s children, we call on the Spirit to \u2018renew the face of the Earth\u2019, and as his children, we are called, in turn, to use this liberty for the good of creation and for the good of all <\/span>that\u00a0 brings life. Our world, God\u2019s creation, is a precious gift to us. It is our common home entrusted to each generation. But how have we used that glorious liberty? How do we honour this precious\u00a0 gift? Are we really demonstrating love, care and respect for our common home?<\/span><\/p>\n As we celebrate Pentecost this year, we are acutely aware of the damage that continues to be inflicted on the Earth, and the repercussions for the well-being of our brothers and sisters, both <\/span>here in our own countries and, more especially, in the poorest countries of our world. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have both taught us that everything is interconnected and <\/span>interdependent. The\u00a0 way we live our everyday lives has an impact on everyone and on the earth. The urgency of the situation, and the enormity of the challenges we face, have spurred us to <\/span>speak out together this Pentecost Sunday, as bishops of England, Wales and Scotland, about the role that the Catholic Church and our faith must play in our shared care for God\u2019s gift to us.<\/span><\/p>\n For all too long we have either been ignorant of, or ignored, the systematic exploitation of our planet and the unsustainable consumption of its resources. While accepting the crucial need and <\/span>demand for energy for the benefit of the poorest of our brothers and sisters, the provision of our energy must, nonetheless, be by means which radically reduce the use of carbon-based fuels. <\/span><\/p>\n In our political thinking, there must be a new global understanding of our world, where nations recognise our common responsibility for the dignity of all people and their rights to sustainable <\/span>livelihoods, in authentic freedom. Pope Francis speaks of a global politics that looks beyond our own needs to the needs of all, most especially the poor and the marginalised.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But we cannot leave the healing of our common home and the wellbeing and care of our brothers and sisters merely to a response from industry and governments. Our own local concern and <\/span>action is necessary and has far-reaching consequences. We all have a part to play, each and every one of us, in the routines, choices and decisions of our everyday lives and our aspirations for the <\/span>future. The actions of parishes, families, schools, and individuals will have a significant impact on our efforts to restore our common home. There are now many resources, freely available, to <\/span>advise us on our choice of food, saving of water and electricity, suggestions about travel, waste, and re-use. These are measures that everyone can employ, in some degree, with minimal\u00a0 inconvenience and change. They are effective ways in which we can each reaffirm our personal vocation to be stewards of creation.<\/span><\/p>\n This Pentecost comes at a time of remarkable challenge and opportunity. We are gradually emerging from the tragedies and restrictions of the pandemic. We have the ability to make changes. Our\u00a0 countries are also hosting two most important meetings this year, the G7 in June and COP26 in November. These meetings will gather together men and women who have the power to make\u00a0 defining choices and policies which will help us build back better, provide for our brothers and sisters, and take care of our common home.<\/span><\/p>\n In all our human endeavours, we need the presence of the Holy Spirit, \u201cthe Lord, the Giver of Life\u201d, whose gift to the Church and the world we celebrate again at Pentecost. Let us keep this Feast\u00a0 with that enduring hope that we can begin to repair the damage we have done and provide a healthy home for future generations. Our hope will be strengthened by our prayer. May our constant\u00a0 request be that the Holy Spirit guide us, strengthen our resolve and \u2018renew the face of the earth\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n