In its message for World Tourism Day, celebrated on September 27 this year, the Vatican’s Department of Evangelization calls for a greater commitment to sustainable investments as a testimony of the faith that God has entrusted nature to us.
By Christopher Wells
The Catholic Church wishes to seize this “moment of special commitment so that the Magisterium of Pope Francis can more effectively and positively reinforce concern for creation, an essential goal for human life,” writes Archbishop Rino Fisichella in a message for this year’s World Tourism Day (September 27).
The annual commemoration is organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The day 2023 is dedicated to highlighting “the need for more and better targeted investments for people, planet and prosperity”.
It also serves as a “call to action for the international community, governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners and private sector investors to come together on a new tourism investment strategy.”
In his message published on Friday, Archbishop Fisichella – Proprefect of the Department for Fundamental Issues of Evangelization in the World of the Dicastery of Evangelization – underlines the Pope’s call for a stronger commitment to sustainable investments.
He also points out that “the preference for sustainable investments is also a creed based on respect for the creation that God made and entrusted to us.”
promotion of human dignity
Significantly, Archbishop Fisichella insists that sustainable business should promote human dignity and focus on long-term benefits, not short-term gains.
“The primacy of ethics must not be clouded by greed for profit.”
Politicians must support creative new ways and identify suitable projects “aimed at the well-being of all and improve the quality of life”, especially for the most marginalized people.
Investing in and preserving cultural and spiritual investments
The message also underscores the value of art and culture and their preservation “because they enable people to know God and keep Christian roots alive.”
Archbishop Fisichella writes: “The path of beauty is an integral part of our mission to proclaim the Gospel and promote the spiritual growth of the faithful,” adding that the duty to protect culturally significant works of art “is the responsibility of all .”
Responsible tourism and care for our common home
In conclusion, the Archbishop reaffirms the link between tourism and care for creation, noting that “tourism that respects man and the environment paves the way to grasping the goodness of the Father who dedicates his love to all.”
In this regard, he notes that workers in the tourism sector have an opportunity to promote a different type of tourism, one that is “more supportive and less consumer-oriented; more respectful of nature and able to contemplate beauty in its multiple expressions.”
Finally, Archbishop Fisichella, looking to 2025, expresses his hope that the preparations for the upcoming Jubilee Year “can be celebrated and lived with this concern for creation, while at the same time holding firm to the hope of building the future together”. .
