Articles/Study Guides
Laudato Si’ – A Canadian Response
Kevin Moynihan, YouTube, Nov. 20, 2015
This video presents the views of nine prominent Canadians (including David Suzuki, Maude Barlow, Silver Don Cameron and Gregor Robertson) as they reflect on the Encyclical. Twenty-three excerpts from Laudato Si help the viewer read the actual words of the 192 page document.
2016 Community Reflections: Laudato Si’ Edition
CRS Rice Bowl, January 2016
In this Lenten study guide, you’ll find five distinct modules with prayers, activities and questions that will help you unpack the themes in Laudato Si’.
Laudato Si’ and Vatican III
By Ilia Delio, OSF, Global Sisters Report, Nov. 30, 2015
Delio offers initial and useful comments on some of the fundamental limits in the frameworks employed in the encyclical, specifically its overall philosophic and scientific outlook. These frameworks touch on both cosmology and evolution, on the place of humanity and the rise of consciousness. Her comment leads to understanding better the full import of really bridging the worlds of science and religion.
Economy for our Common Home: An Advent Reflection Guide on Laudato Si’
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Nov. 25, 2015
The Faith, Economy and Ecology Working Group has developed this series of reflections, prayers and actions for Advent 2015. The series explores the paradigm shift in that is needed, how to support and build resilient communities through our everyday activities and how to develop policies that put the needs of people and the Earth before corporate profit.
Is Pope Francis an Ecofeminist?
By Sue Rakoczy, IHM, Open Democracy, Oct. 19, 2015
“There is something missing from Laudato Si that undermines both the Pope’s position on ecology and the likelihood that his call to action will be heeded by the broader public: the position of women and the inter-relationships between gender and the environment.”
Social Analysis of Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home
Sisters of the Holy Cross, 2015
This PowerPoint presentation provides a concise overview and analysis of Chapter 3 (The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis) and 4 (Integral Ecology) of Laudato Si.
Papal Visit 2015 – Speeches and Homilies
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, September, 2015
This is where you will find links to speeches and homilies from Pope Francis during his 2015 Apostolic Visit to the United States.
Laudato Si … a Call to Contemplation
Nancy Sylvester, IHM, Global Sisters Report, July 2, 2015
Laudato Si’ is more than a moral exhortation on the environment. It is an invitation to contemplation.
Ecological Conversion: Called to Hope, Spurred to Action
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, July 2015
This response to Laudato Si incorporates insights and reflections from Maryknoll missioners around the world and suggests a policy platform that moves us toward the vision expressed in Laudato Si
Global Sisters Report Coverage of Laudato Si
Global Sisters Report, 2015
Includes a number of exclusive columns and commentary from Catholic sisters and others about the encyclical
Climate: A Common Good
by Marianne Comfort, Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Summer 2015
In this Resolution to Action, Marianne Comfort, of the Institute Justice Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, reflects on the challenge of climate change in the light of Pope Francis’ words in his recent encyclical, Laudato Si’: “The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.”
Solar Panels Are Part of the Pope’s Revolution—But So Is Dismantling Structural Racism
by Anthony Giancatorino, Yes! Magazine, June 19, 2015
The Pope is talking about a revolution that goes way beyond simply adding renewable energy to our current extractive economy.
America Magazine’s Coverage of Laudato Si’
America Magazine, 2015
A round-up of articles and analysis on Laudato Si’
Pope Francis’ Encyclical Climate Action Kit
Catholic Climate Covenant, 2015
Catholic Climate Covenant and Interfaith Power & Light created an “Encyclical Climate Action Kit,” a step-by-step guide to understand and apply the encyclical, shrink your carbon footprint and advocate for policy change.
Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi: A Response to Laudato Si’
Ilia Delio, OSF National Catholic Reporter, June 30, 2015
Laudato Si opens the doors to a new world by calling all people to a new world of interrelatedness.
A Reader’s Guide to Laudato Si’
Thomas Reese, S.J., National Catholic Reporter, June 2015
The readers guide offers study questions to help in reading the encyclical.
How to Read Pope Francis on the Environment
Council on Foreign Relations, June 18, 2015
A written Q and A with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim of Yale University’s Forum on Religion and Ecology
5 Radical Takeaways from the Pope’s Letter on Climate
Janet Redman, Foreign Policy In Focus, June 18, 2015
Francis recognizes that there’s no way to stop climate change without confronting the way the world does business.
Top Ten Takeaways from Laudato Si’
James Martin, S.J., America Magazine, June 18, 2015
A summary of the main messages of the encyclical.
Video/Audio
VIDEO: Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Pope Francis and the Meaning of Climate Action
Yale University’s Forum on Religion and Ecology, June 2, 2015
Catholics, Protestants, scientists and lay people discuss the ethics and spiritual meaning of climate action. (IHM Sisters Paula Cathcart and Gloria Rivera are featured around the 5-minute mark.)
VIDEO: Pope Francis and the Environment: Why His New Climate Encyclical Matters
Yale University’s Forum on Religion and Ecology, April 2015
A panel of experts from across several disciplines discusses the implications of the encyclical and how it might transform the global climate debate.
Pope Francis Sounds the Alarm on the Environment and He Wants Everyone to Listen
Matthew Bell, PRI’s The World, June 18, 2015
Laudato Si’ is addressed to everyone in the world – literally.
Websites
Catholic Climate Covenant
The official campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to address global climate change
The Global Catholic Climate Movement
A movement of laity, religious, clergy, theologians, scientists and activists from all over the world, united by our Catholic faith and our work on environmental and social issues
The Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale
The Forum on Religion and Ecology is the largest international multi-religious project of its kind. With its conferences, publications and website, it is engaged in exploring religious worldviews, texts, and ethics in order to broaden understanding of the complex nature of current environmental concerns