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  • Pope Francis and Environmental Leaders Forge Vision for Global Action

    Environmental leaders, activists and advocates gathered with Pope Francis for a two-day Vatican-organized conference with hopes to emerge with a shared vision for protecting our planet. The conference was inspired by the third anniversary of the Pope’s encyclical and was attended by political and religious leaders, scientists, economists and heads of civil society organizations. Inspired by the call for unity and action in the encyclical, UN Environment also introduced their Interfaith Rain-forest Initiative at the conference.

  • Canadian Ecumenical Document Embraces Christian Concern for Environment

    On July 23, 2019, the Roman Catholic-United Church of Canada Dialogue in Canada released "The Hope Within Us," a document that focuses on climate change and ecological degradation. The statement urges Christian churches to put aside their differences and work in communion to acknowledge the downside of progress and greed of our economic and political systems as they negatively impact our environment.

  • USCCB President's Refelction and Prayer During Coronavirus

    The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Archbishop José H. Gomez offers his statement regarding COVID-19 to bring comfort to those affected by the virus and to pray for recovery. He offers prayer to healthcare workers and civic leaders helping fight against the virus and calls for solidarity among the congregation.

    He leads a prayer to the Virgin Guadalupe for protection and healing, and for compassion and patience in the church.

  • The Pope on Sustainability

    An article written in Science Magazine covers the Pope's take on sustainability and environmental accountability. The Pope has inspired other religious leaders to also raise their voice about environmental issues like combating climate change. The introduction of the article notes that:

    "The problems that motivate the Vatican are no different from those that concern the scientific community: depletion of nonrenewable resources, loss of ecosystem services, and risks from changing climate. But what the Vatican contributes is the rationale for taking action: because it is our moral responsibility to bequeath a habitable planet to future generations".

  • Catholic Response to Outbreak of Coronavirus

    Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace and Bishop David J. Mallot, Sean Callahan the president of Catholic Relief Services, and Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, the president of the Catholic Health Association of the United States offer a statement in the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak. The statement applauds healthcare workers and calls on governing bodies to work together to combat the virus. The statement also recognizes the U.S. for sending 17 tons of medical supplies to China, an example of how compassion and teamwork is needed at this time. A part of his address contains the following:

    “The Catholic Church in the United States stands in solidarity with those affected by the coronavirus and their families, health workers who are valiantly trying to diagnose and treat patients, and those under quarantine awaiting results of their screening for the virus. We offer our prayers for healing and support those organizations, both domestic and international, working to provide medical supplies and assistance to address this serious risk to public health."

  • A Prayer for Protection in Time of Pandemic

    A prayer for those who are sick, vulnerable, and/or have passed away due to illness, to Mother Mary and Son Jesus; Adapted from the prayer of Pope Francis, provided by the Knights of Columbus.

  • Engaged Organizations: Scaling Up Nutrition

    Scaling Up Nutrition discuss their vision and goals on their website:

    "Since 2010, the SUN Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap (2016-2020) has helped illuminate the importance of nutrition as a universal agenda – and one which is integral to achieving the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    To realise the vision of a world without hunger and malnutrition, the SUN Movement Principles of Engagement guide actors as they work in a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder space to effectively working together to end malnutrition, in all its forms. These principles ensure that the Movement is flexible while maintaining a common purpose and mutual accountability."

  • Engaged Organizations: 1,000 Days

    1,000 Days non-profit organization for women and children discuss the work that they do on their website:

    "1,000 Days works to win support for investments in the nutrition and well-being of mothers, babies and toddlers in the U.S. and around the world. We make the case to policymakers, global leaders and those who influence them that brighter futures begin with ensuring mothers and children everywhere have a thriving first 1,000 days.

    From advocating for evidence-based dietary guidelines for pregnant women and young children to providing parents with educational resources and content on baby and toddler feeding, 1,000 Days is committed to nourishing healthy beginnings. "

  • Laudato Si' Adds Catholic Voice to Diverse spectrum of Religious Creation Care Views

    Here are some links to the encyclical and related educational materials and statements that have been developed by different religious communities, including a letter of support from over 400 Rabbis, and a new Islamic statement on the environment:

    Laudato Si’: Praise Be To You: On Care for Our Common Home: (html)
    Laudato Si’ study guide from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops: (pdf)
    National Catholic Reporter Reader’s Guide to Laudato Si: (pdf)
    The Shalom Center with its history of ecological practices: (url)
    Announcement of the Rabbinic Letter on the Climate Crisis: (url)
    Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change: (url)
    United Methodist Bishops Pastoral Letter: God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action: (url)
    Lutheran Study Guide to Pope Francis’ Letter on Climate Change: (pdf)
    Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation: (url)
    National Association of Evangelicals 2015 Call to Action on Creation Care: (url)
    A Buddhist Declaration on Climate Change: (url)
    Buddhist Climate Change Statement to World Leaders 2015: (url)
    Black Church Climate Statement: (url)

  • A Sinking Island

    Many people who currently inhabit one of four small islands in the Pacific Ocean are being forced to evacuate their homes. The rising sea levels have washed away their homes and eroded their beaches. In addition, their sources of freshwater are being contaminated. This unfortunate circumstance is a prime example of Pope Francis's message on the impact of climate change.

  • Hitzhusen to Deliver Lecture on Spirituality and Sustainability on Sept. 20 in Sylvania, OH

    The Science Alliance for Valuing the Environment, an “educational consortium for environmental concerns” affiliated with Lourdes University in Sylvania, OH, will host Dr. Greg Hitzhusen to deliver a lecture on “Spirituality and Sustainability: Hope for All Creation” at the Franciscan Center from 7:30-9:00pm on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

    Attend this FREE public lecture hosted by S.A.V.E. – Science Alliance for Valuing the Environment.

    To read more about this event please click on the link below:

  • Today is registration deadline for Columbus Diocese Creation Care Conference on Oct. 8

    The Columbus Diocese is offering a day of reflection, inspiration, study, and sharing of resources to help Columbus area Catholic communities respond to Pope Francis’ environmental urgings in his recent encyclical, Laudato Si: Caring for Our Common Home. The conference: “Enlivened by Laudato Si’: We Care for our Common Home: Our practical response to care for God’s creation” will be held at the Martin De Porres Center in Columbus from 10am-2pm on Saturday, October 8.

    The conference will feature creation care team building sessions, spirituality and worship, education, sustainability information for energy savings, and advocacy to care for creation and the poor. Dr. Greg Hitzhusen of the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State will deliver a keynote address.

  • Fasting for Climate Justice

    Fasting for Climate Justice is a resource from Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM ) on the practice of fasting for climate action through two initiatives: meatless Fridays and monthly fasting. The GCCM encourages abstinence from meat on Fridays as a way to reduce one’s negative impact on global climate change. The GCCM also promotes fasting for the climate which takes place the first day of each month.

  • Homily Help

    Homily Helps is a resource from Catholic Climate Covenant that offers resources that help to integrate the insights of Laudato Si’ and caring for creation into Sunday mass. It includes highlights from the Scripture, relevant quotations from Laudato Si’, sample applications, and more.

  • In 'Laudate Deum,' Pope Francis presents a compelling climate crisis apologia

    "With a degree of urgency appropriate for the planetary catastrophe we face today, Pope Francis' latest apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum, 'to all people of good will on the climate crisis,' builds on the important insights of his 2015 encyclical letter 'Laudato Si', On Care for our Common Home.' That the pope has explicitly described the current state of the climate as a 'crisis' could be viewed as affirming what climate activist Greta Thunberg said in her 2019 address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland: 'Our house is on fire. I am here to say, our house is on fire.' "

  • Book Launch: Qur’anic Ecology and Resonances with Laudato Si’

    "The Laudato Si' Research Institute and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Faith for Earth Initiative cordially invite you to attend this online book launch for An Introduction to Qur’anic Ecology and Resonances with Laudato Si’, by Farhana Mayer.

    The launch will consist of an introduction to the text by Farhana Mayer, followed by responses from scholars and practitioners including Revd Prof. Joshtrom Kureethadam (Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Pontifical Salesian University), Prof. Ibrahim Özdemir (Uskudar University; member of drafting team for Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth) and Dr. Iyad Abu Moghli (UNEP, Faith for Earth). There will be an opportunity for Q&A at the end.

    This event will take place online [on October 19, 2023 from 1pm to 2:15 EST]. After you have registered, we will be in touch with the link to join."

  • Presentation of the Apostolic Exhortation: "Laudate Deum"

    This video contains discussion of Pope Francis' newly released Laudate Deum, as well as comments on how it connects with Laudato Si' and applies to future action. Environmental and religious activists, experts, and scholars speak on the issue as it relates to their field. The speakers explain possible ways to incorporate the information discussed in Laudate Deum and other knowledge surrounding climate change can be incorporated and developed into courses of action to address the climate crisis.

  • Advent Simplicity Challenge

    "This Advent, commit to simplicity. In a season that can mistakenly be focused on gifts and consumption, explore ways to live simply as we hopefully prepare for the coming of Jesus and the restoration of the earth. This year, we’ll be mixing in new daily challenges, as well as accompanying PDFs for folks who prefer not to use the interactive calendar."

  • Prayers and Meditations for UNCOP28

    "Our invitation to you and request of you on behalf of the ILC? We encourage people of all faiths to offer their prayers and meditations towards a beneficial UNCOP 28.
    Our prayer and meditation around the world has helped the previous COP’s .This was the feedback we have received. The picture above is of Prayer and Meditation at COP26 in Glasgow. Not pictured are those who offered their spiritual practice at that time from many other places in the world. Our invitation is that we continue what we have begun with a renewed sincerity of commitment."

  • Faith and Sustainability Podcast

    The Faith and Sustainability podcast is a project created by the Archdiocese of Atlanta as part of their Laudato Si Initiative. Host Leonard Robinson is joined every week by influential members of different faith communities and environmental experts, where they discuss a wide range of topics like environmental justice, how to recycle, and climate change. The Faith and Sustainability podcast explores how faith and sustainability connect, and finding out how to better care for our planet.

  • Care for Creation - Catholic Conference of Ohio

    "The Catholic Bishops of Ohio invite you to study the issues related to the stewardship of God’s creation. Care for the environment is a fundamental principle within Catholic Social Teaching. We applaud efforts already underway in many Catholic homes and institutions that help conserve energy, protect the environment, and advance a greater understanding of faithful stewardship. We hope that Catholic families and institutions around the state will continue in such efforts."

    This resource includes a statement calling to care for God's creation and contains information and links to several other resources related to religion and environmentalism.

  • In Threatened Island Nation, Pope Hears Plea for Climate Action

    Pope Francis visited Papua New Guinea, a Pacific Island nation facing serious environmental issues including water pollution, sea level rise, and deforestation. This continued his involvement in the discussion on climate change as he met with governor general Bob Dadae and spoke at meetings. The article covers the Pope's visit, the environmental challenges facing Papua New Guinea, and the ties between religious positions and care for the environment and people who are affected by climate change.

  • Catholic Views on Climate Change - a statement from the Catholic Bishops of Australia

    The Catholic Bishops of the Climate Institute, Australia created a statement on climate change. The statement emphasizes various responsibilities of individuals and entities that are necessary to provide a safe and healthy environment for all parts of the world. They also warn against further ecological destruction for future generations.

  • World bishops' appeal to COP 21 negotiating parties

    In preparation for the 2015 United Nations Negotiations in Paris, the heads of Catholic bishops' federations on every continent issued a joint appeal to COP 21 delegates that they produce a "comprehensive and transformational agreement" to address global climate crisis. Salient themes include the challenges and opportunities of climate change, and sustainable development to benefit the poor. They also call for leaders to become motivated to work towards enforceable agreements.

  • Remarks by Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson on the Encyclical Laudato si’ to Child-Focused Agencies

    Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson addressed child-focused agencies at UNICEF House on June 30, 2015. His message is about the relevance of Laudato si' encyclical with regard to children and our common home. He urges individuals to contemplate the negative impact of climate change and how this will impact the future for our children.