CELL and the New Story of Creation
We are facing an ecological crisis of great proportions. “What is Happening to Our Beautiful Land?” is the lament of the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines in 1988 after reflecting on the massive abuse and destruction inflicted on the Earth. A “Warning to Humanity” was given by the Union of Concerned Scientists in 1992, pointing to our current human practice of “putting animal and plant kingdoms at serious risk” and causing irreversible damage to ecology. Pope John Paul II in his catechesis in January 2001 called for “ecological conversion” to protect both the natural environment and the human quality of life.

Catechesis on Creation is of major importance. It concerns the very foundations of human and Christian Life. - Catechism of the Catholic Church #286

CELL is a direct response to the challenge posed by the ecological crisis. It is a place where we humans can deepen our awareness of the devastation we are unleashing on the planet. Yet at the same time it is where we can awaken to the beauty and sacredness of God’s Creation and to His call to bring healing to Mother Earth.

CELL teaches the New Story of Creation, a scientific religious epic for our times that evokes in us the basic wisdom that is necessary to meet the ecological crisis. The New Story of Creation enables us to see our specific role in the process of creation. It inspires us to be creative, challenges us to participate in the creative dynamics of the Earth and to establish ourselves within the unfolding cosmos.