Care for our common home — Laudato Si

Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy was a remarkable one, working in service to the church until the very day he died on Easter Monday in Vatican City. He sought to focus more explicitly on social justice, climate change, addressing the most marginalized in society, and in his final Easter address, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

In 2015, Pope Francis published his Encyclical Laudato Si’, On Care for our Common Home, as a way of reiterating the Church’s call for responsible stewardship of creation, and calling all of us to ensure that our methods of production and consumption honor our Creator, respect the Lord’s command to care for creation, and serve the needs of the human family (especially the poorest and most vulnerable) while saying: “I wish to address every person living on this planet”. Meaning that his target audience is not just Roman Catholics or Christians but everyone.

The commitments and contributions to sustainability are outlined  by each of the seven Laudato Si’ goals: Response to the Cry of the Earth, Response to the Cry of the Poor, Ecological Economics, Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles, Ecological Education, Ecological Spirituality, and Community Resilience & Empowerment.

The Response to the Cry of the Earth is  a call to protect our common home for the well being of all, as we equitably address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and ecological sustainability.

Actions could include the adoption of renewable energies and energy sufficiency measures, achieving carbon neutrality, protecting biodiversity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and guaranteeing access to clean water for all.

The Response to the Cry of the Poor is a call to promote eco-justice, aware that we are called to defend human life from conception to death, and all forms of life on Earth.

Actions could include projects to promote solidarity, with special attention given to vulnerable groups such as indigenous communities, refugees, migrants, and children at risk, analysis and improvement of social systems, and social service programs.

Ecological Economics acknowledges that the economy is a sub-system of human society, which itself is embedded within the biosphere–our common home.

Actions could include sustainable production and consumption, ethical investments, divestment from fossil fuels and any activity harmful to the planet and the people, supporting circular economies, and prioritizing care labor and protecting the dignity of workers.

The Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles is grounded in the idea of sufficiency, and promoting sobriety in the use of resources and energy.

Actions could include reducing waste and recycling, adopting sustainable dietary habits (opting for a more plant-based diet and reducing meat consumption), greater use of public transport, active mobility (walking, cycling), and avoiding single use items (e.g. plastic, etc.).

Ecological Education is about re-thinking and re-designing curricular and institutional reform in the spirit of integral ecology in order to foster ecological awareness and transformative action.

Actions could include ensuring equitable access to education for all and promoting human rights, fostering Laudato Si’ themes within the community, encouraging ecological leadership (students, teachers), and ecological restoration activities.

Ecological Spirituality springs from a profound ecological conversion and helps us to “discover God in all things”, both in the beauty of creation and in the sighs of the sick and the groans of the afflicted, aware that the life of the spirit is not dissociated from worldly realities.

Actions could include promoting creation-based liturgical celebrations, developing ecological catechesis, retreats and formation programs, etc.

Community resilience and empowerment envisage a synodal journey of community engagement and participatory action at various levels.

Actions could include promoting advocacy and developing people’s campaigns, encouraging rootedness and a sense of belonging in local communities and neighborhood ecosystems.

“Our selfishness, our indifference and our irresponsible ways are threatening the future of our children,” Pope Francis said.

“I therefore renew my appeal: let us take care of our mother Earth … let us overcome the temptation of selfishness that makes us predators of resources, let us cultivate respect for the gifts of the Earth and creation, let us inaugurate a lifestyle and a society that is finally eco-sustainable.”

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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com