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Streamed live on Jul 25, 2023.

Session #6 of the Laudato Si' and the U.S. Catholic Church focuses on the Laudato Si' Action Platform's goal of “Ecological Spirituality,” which “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.” Panelists included: Sister Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ, PhD, General Superior, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange; Diana Marin, MDiv, Program Manager, Young Adult Mobilization at Catholic Climate Covenant; Nicholas Collura, MDiv, Chaplain and Spiritual Director.

Session #2 of the Laudato Si' and the U.S. Catholic Church Conference focused on the Laudato Si’ Action Platform’s goal #1: “Response to the Cry of the Poor” which “is a call to protect our common home for the wellbeing of all, as we equitably address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and ecological sustainability.” Presenters included Daniel P. Castillo, Ector Olivares, Barbara Johnson, and Beth Gutzler. The facilitator was Diana Marin.

In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’ (The Letter); an encyclical letter about the environmental crisis to every single person in the world. A few years later, four voices that have gone unheard in global conversations have been invited to an unprecedented dialogue with the Pope. Hailing from Senegal, the Amazon, India, and Hawai’i, they bring perspective and solutions from the poor, the indigenous, the youth, and wildlife into a conversation with Pope Francis himself. This documentary follows their journey to Rome and the extraordinary experiences that took place there, and is packed with powerfully moving personal stories alongside the latest information about the planetary crisis and the toll it’s taking on nature and people. Learn more about the protagonists and how you can take action here.  “The Letter is a remarkable film that brings together people from different cultures and backgrounds to advocate for ecojustice in the spirit of Laudato Si’. It should be seen in religious and educational institutions far and wide. The film is one of the most compelling reasons why the Laudato Si’ movement needs to be supported and expanded.” ~Mary Evelyn Tucker, Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology

In Laudato Si', Pope Francis has called for an ecological spirituality that embraces ecological justice. This talk will explore such a spirituality within the context of an “integral ecology” that brings together people and planet. Up to the present, secular environmentalism has been a dominant force in many academic departments and in the larger environmental movement. This form of environmentalism focuses on science and policy along with economic and technological solutions. However, there is a need for a broader ecospirituality and ecojustice that highlights values, ethics, and spiritual perspectives. This is what Jesuit colleges, universities, and secondary schools can contribute at this critical moment in our planetary history. View the slides for this presentation here.

Climate change and ecological harm disproportionately injure poor, vulnerable, and marginalized persons and communities—especially those of color. Learn from experts in the field as we consider how to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” and integrate environmental justice into the U.S. Catholic embrace of Laudato Si’. Part of Laudato Si’ and the U.S. Catholic Church: A Conference Series on Our Common Home.

Please note: only certain portions of this video are in English

Speakers: His Eminence Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Fr. Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam, coordinator of the “Ecology and Creation” Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; Sr. Sheila Kinsey, executive co-secretary of the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPIC) of the International Union of Superiors General; Carolina Bianchi, Laudato si' animator of the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) and INECOOP collaborator for the Policoro Youth Project of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

Laudato Si’ Special Anniversary Year Closing Praying Gathering + Missionary Sending. This event was streamed live on May 23, 2021. 

Eco-spirituality brings hope to a troubled world. Please join us for an opportunity to share in the fruitfulness of the work of Sowing Hope for the Planet. In this session, we will journey with men and women religious engaged in promoting Laudato Si'. We will celebrate stories of ecological conversion, both personal and communal. Examples of integrating conscious prayer and sacred action will be shared. This event was part of Laudato Si' Week 2021. 

Dr. Tucker recalls the extraordinary time when the Earth Charter was drafted and how exciting it was when the Earth Charter principles and the specifics of world religions were synergizing. She observes that the consultation and drafting process identified some of the common values across cultures and religions, despite the differences, including different cultural expressions of ethics. For her, the Earth Charter document represents one of the most integrated visions for the way forward, breaking disciplinary silos and bringing together the dimensions of cosmology, ecology, justice, democracy, and peace. Dr. Tucker reflects on the notion of the “Earth Community,” and she cites present-day examples to demonstrate how “interdependence” leads to “responsibility.” Reflecting on Pope Francis’ two latest encyclicals, as clear and wonderful contributions to our current times, Dr. Tucker concludes that they can be seen as continuity with and further development of the Earth Charter.