‘Laudato Si’’ inspires Catholic inroads in caring for creation

Many Catholics will identify with some aspect of Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for our Common Home,” and the more they learn about environmental issues, the better chance they’ll get involved in sustainability efforts, said panelists at a March 29 forum on the subject at Annunciation in Minneapolis, organized by the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota.

“Let’s talk about what’s important to us as people, together on this journey, where we are trying to create and help build the kingdom of heaven but we’re also on the journey to heaven,” said Kat Doyle, director of justice and peace ministries for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. “Both of those things together are what (‘Laudato Si’’) is about.”

The forum was part of the foundation’s Giving Insights series, which explores community challenges and opportunities, ministries and organizations, and ways Catholic philanthropy can impact them. More than 140 people attended the forum, including 66 people who joined the gathering via livestream.

The encyclical describes creation and humanity’s relationship with the environment, as well as the depletion of natural resources and ways climate change impacts the world, particularly less developed areas. Pope Francis also offers hope for resolving the many challenges.

To explore climate questions and consider the legacy left for future generations, the foundation invited Doyle and two other panelists to discuss theological and moral ramifications, while raising awareness and encouraging involvement in environmental efforts.

“Laudato Si’” is a call to action rooted in Catholic social teaching on human dignity, said Bishop Emeritus Richard Pates of Des Moines, who served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis from 2001-2008 and returned to the Twin Cities after retiring as a bishop.

“These social justice teachings are applicable to almost any teaching of the Church because they’re cut into the reality of who we are as individual people and who we are as a Church,” he said.

If Catholics believe climate change is the top issue, they need to keep repeating and understanding the message, he said.

“Laudato Si’” calls for a grounding in the Catholic belief that creation is a gift that must be stewarded responsibly, said Jose Aguto, executive director of Washington, D.C.-based Catholic Climate Covenant, which educates and equips Catholics to act on climate change.

Catholics can build bridges with others by focusing on shared values, Aguto said.

“I feel like the faith voice, if we do it correctly, is … about, ‘we care for the common good, we care about the other,’” he said. Aguto emphasized the need for climate public policy and mobilizing youth and young adults to faith and action.

Doyle said theology and morality behind caring for creation come first in changed hearts. Bringing Catholics together in small faith groups can give them tools that empower action, she said.

Doyle described a “Laudato Si’ Action Plan” authored by University of Georgia professors and the Atlanta archdiocese, which offers ideas for reversing global climate change and environmental degradation threats and creating a more sustainable world. Last year, Pope Francis launched the Laudato Si’ Action Platform online to assist individuals, Catholic schools and parishes, and other sectors of the Church to implement sustainability practices.

The Giving Insights forum was moderated by Jeff Rauenhorst, executive vice president of Washington, D.C.-based Catholic Energies, a program of the Catholic Climate Covenant that focuses on solar and energy efficiency among Catholic organizations. Rauenhorst also provided insights and data on some of the major effects of climate change.

The Church can help people address the planet’s climate challenges, said Anne Cullen Miller, president of St. Paul-based CCF, which works with the financial resources of individuals, families, parishes and institutions to meet spiritual, educational and other needs of the community.

“We as Catholics have a responsibility to educate ourselves on these important issues, take initiative to educate others and find ways to leave a more hopeful legacy to our children and our grandchildren,” she said.

Attendee Mary Beth Weibel, 62, said the forum has inspired her to develop more environmental tools and training for youth and seniors she works with as executive director of nonprofit Trust Inc. in south Minneapolis, which works with religious congregations to unite and serve the community.

“I came away (thinking), how can I put this in practice for myself?” Weibel said. “How can I be more aware every day?”

Patrick Fox, 60, said he felt inspired personally and as an elementary school principal — presently at St. Bartholomew Catholic School in Wayzata and soon in a new position at Shakopee Area Catholic School. Environmental justice issues can be incorporated into curriculum, he said.

A member of St. Olaf in Minneapolis, Fox said he considers care for creation a Christian duty. It’s another way for the faithful to express, demonstrate and live out the faith, he said.

“It can be done very quietly and in community,” he said. “There’s something for everyone.”