News Archives » Laudato Si
Vatican Marks the 3rd Anniversary of Laudato Si July 24th, 2018
The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development organized an International Conference on the 3rd Anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si’: Saving our Common Home and the Future of Life on Earth. The event took place from July 5-6, 2018 and drew representatives from civil society, religions, churches, scientists, politicians, economists, and grassroots groups to review past work and develop a plan of action. Speaking to attendees, Pope Francis remarked that “the “common home” of our planet also needs urgently to be repaired and secured for a sustainable future.”
Read the Pope’s full remarks here.
Conference recordings and presentations can be found here.
Missionary Oblates Sign Catholic Climate Declaration June 27th, 2018
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate has joined hundreds of Catholic institutions in signing the U.S Catholic Climate Declaration. The declaration reaffirms commitment to climate goals outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Rev. Fr. James Brobst OMI, Vicar Provincial, was authorized to sign the Catholic Climate Declaration on behalf of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The signing is timely for many Catholics as June 2018 marks the third anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls for care for God’s Creation and protection of the poor. Jose Aguto, Associate Director for Catholic Climate Covenant in a letter to Fr. Brobst OMI, stated that “the declaration affirms our shared commitment in prayer, word and deed to meet its goals for the sake of the one human family and Our Common Home.”
To read the Catholic Climate Declaration, please visit the Catholic Climate Covenant’s website. (More signatures are still need needed. Parishes are encouraged to sign the declaration)
The Promise of Laudato Si’ for Integral Ecology June 26th, 2018
Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker, Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University gives the keynote address entitled Our Sacred Earth, Our Common Home at a conference held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois .
Leading Oil and Gas Executives Attend Climate Change Conference Hosted by Vatican June 12th, 2018
On Friday, June 8, leading oil and gas executives attended a climate change conference hosted by the Vatican titled, “Energy Transition and Care for Our Common Home” and held at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
The conference is follow-up to Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home, which was released three years ago on June 18.
Visit this website to read Pope Francis’ address to meeting participants
Visit these links to read more about the conference:
CAFOD
https://cafod.org.uk/News/Campaigning-news/Pope-fossil-fuels-energy-call
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/09/pope-francis-tells-oil-bosses-world-must-wean-itself-off-fossil-fuels
Yale Scholar Delivers Keynote at Day of Reflection on “Laudato SI” in Belleville Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows May 2nd, 2018
(Originally published on www.omiusa.org)
Thanks to Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director of the La Vista Ecological Learning Ctr.
On Saturday, April 21, Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker gave the keynote address at a conference held at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois entitled Our Sacred Earth, Our Common Home. Dr. Tucker is a Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University where she has appointments in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies as well as the Divinity School and the Department of Religious Studies. This event is the second in a series devoted to the study and implementation of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on ecology, Laudato Si’.
Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker of Yale University addresses the crowd at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
According to Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director of the La Vista Ecological Learning Center which co-sponsored the event, “The participants were inspired by Dr. Tucker’s enthusiasm as she shared her appreciation of papal encyclical Laudato Si’. She helped us to wake up to its importance in the Catholic tradition of social encyclicals as well as its worldwide influence and impact beyond Catholicism. Being a leader in the emerging field of Religion and Ecology, she was able to unite the two as she led us through the content of the document.”
Throughout her presentation, Dr. Tucker praised Pope Francis for his leadership and call to action: “The spirituality of Francis in the encyclical is clear: It begins with Mother Earth, the Canticle to Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Bonaventure, you all know the mind’s path to God goes through the natural world…and so much of this is awe-evoking action…we’re looking for renewable energy, the renewal energy we’re looking for is the energy of the spirit. To renew the face of the earth. And that’s where religious communities, spiritual sensibilities and moral force will make a difference.”
(L-R) Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker
After the keynote, the attendees split up for break out sessions, one by Sr. Cheryl Kemner, OSF and Nicole Heerlein of Franciscans for Earth: “The Challenge of Technology and Simple Lifestyle,” another featuring Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director of La Vista Ecological Learning Center: “Backyard Revolution,” “Care for the Earth; Care for the Poor” by Sr. Connie Probst, OSF – Co-Director, St. Anthony’s Food Pantry, and “What Can My Parish and Family Do?” by Jamie Hasemeier of Holy Redeemer Parish. In addition, Dr. Tucker held a break out session for religious sisters.
The event, which attracted about 100 people ran from 9 AM to Noon at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. The day was co-sponsored by: the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows; La Vista Ecological Learning Center; the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
