Season of Creation in Abu Dhabi
The Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, inaugurated in 2023, is a direct result of the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyeb. Conceived as a tangible expression of that historic commitment, the Abrahamic Family House is a complex that includes a mosque, a church, and a synagogue on one site, symbolizing mutual respect and dialogue among Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
This vision resonates deeply with Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, in which he calls for an integral ecology rooted in the recognition that all people and all creation are bound together in a common home. That same spirit is echoed in the Canticle of the Creatures by St. Francis of Assisi, which celebrates the interconnection of humanity with all of creation as brothers and sisters.
During Laudato Si’ Week, September 16-21, 2025, the Christian Church of St. Francis of Assisi, located within the Abrahamic Family House and entrusted to the Franciscan Order, organized a series of events highlighting the Franciscan commitment to creation and dialogue.
Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., offered two presentations on the Canticle of the Creatures. He also took part in an ecumenical prayer service, embodying the Franciscan charism of dialogue and care for our common home. The Christian presence within the Abrahamic Family House is guided by Franciscan witness, with Friar Stefano Luca, OFM Cap., serving as Director of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Through these initiatives, the Church continues to reflect the Franciscan call to fraternity, peace, and openness to others in the shared journey toward hope and reconciliation.
-friar Michael Lasky OFM Conv.
