Title

Engaged Organizations: Catholic Diocese of Columbus, OH Development and Planning

Abstract

The Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Development and Planning office has played a key role in linking resources to further promote Pope Francis's 2015 Laudato Si' encyclical. Some of the components that have assisted in accomplishing their goals include: Bishop Pastoral Council addressing critical issues, St. Dominic Church vegetables garden, 150th anniversary tree planting, with the anniversary as springboard to planning for future stewardship endeavors.

Description

Andrea Pannell, Episcopal Moderator for the Columbus Catholic Diocese, has been instrumental in the progress of creation care work within the office of development and planning. She views part of her job as to "plant seeds" whenever possible. The Bishop Pastoral Council, comprised of representatives from deaneries within the metro area, attend periodic meetings to address critical creation care issues. One project takes place at Andrea's own parish, St. Dominic’s Church, in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood of Columbus. They had maintained a vegetable garden to provide food for those in the area, some of whom rely on walking to get their groceries. The garden continues to be the only place for some locals to receive fresh food, as the area is considered to be a food desert. The development office was also key in linking the diocese's 150th anniversary and Laudato Si' with their tree planting initiative, as well as connecting the themes of the anniversary with salient points of Laudato Si'. Additional plans for further connections with development, planning and stewardship are still in the works.

Catholic Diocese of Columbus, OH Development and Planning

St. Dominic Church

Denomination

Christian

Sub-Tradition

Roman Catholic

Audience

All audiences/General public

Clergy

Resources For Action

Success Stories

Issues

Sustainability

Eco-Justice/Poverty/Racism

Relation

Columbus Diocese 150th Anniversary Tree Planting