As the Church prepares to begin the Season of Creation on 1 September, the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) is calling on the people of God across the region (South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini) to make care for creation a matter of prayer, conversion and practical action.

In a pastoral letter for the Season of Creation 2026, the SACBC Department for Christian Formation, Liturgy and Culture invites parish priests, deacons, religious and the lay faithful to observe this year’s Season of Creation under the theme ‘Immersion in Living Waters’, drawn from the prophet Ezekiel: “where the river flows everything will live” (Ezekiel 47:9,12).

Observed annually from 1 September to 4 October, the Season of Creation is rooted in the ecological vision of Laudato Sí (24 May 2015) and Laudate Deum (4 October 2023. The SACBC Letter calls on all people of God to recognise all living beings as gifts from God, to renew their responsibility as stewards of creation and to help build communities and environments where life can flourish.