Tag: Laudato Si

4 June 2025: Austen Ivereigh Speaks to the Northern and Southern Catholic Environment Groups

A very special combined event was hosted by the Southern Dioceses Environment Network and the Northern Dioceses Environment Group on 4th June 2025 to mark the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis Papal Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ – On the Care of Our Common Home (2015).

Colette Joyce (Westminster) and Mark Wiggin (Salford) facilitated the meeting, with prayers led by Bernadette Jordan (Salford) and Siân Thomas-Cullinan (Brentwood).

We calculated that approximately 115 people registered for the event and we estimate 95 attended.

Our guest speaker, Austen Ivereigh, is a well-known Catholic journalist, writer and commentator with a special relationship with Pope Francis.

Austen helped us to reflect on where we have come in the last ten years and what we are being called to do in the next ten.

The publication of the papal encyclical Laudato Si‘ in 2015 galvanised Catholics around the world and in every country to unite with those of all other faiths and none in the common cause of caring for our home planet and all the people on it. Pope Francis urged us to integrate questions of justice into our debates on the environment, ‘so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’ – for they are one and the same thing. (LS, 49). 

Austen deepened our reflection on the method that Pope Francis adopts to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, using a broad SEE-JUDGE-ACT model. The first stage is to enter the crisis and open our eyes to places where there is pain and suffering. What is happening to our Earth? The second task is discernment: finding where God’s action can be seen and what frustrates God’s action. The third was to move to proposals for action in line with the Kingdom, confident that what is aligned with the arc of the Kingdom is never wasted.

He suggested that the Laudato Si’ apostolate can be considered as enabling these three tasks: (a) helping people to see what is happening to our Earth and to help people experience grief and the desire to repent; (b) helping people enter into an understanding of what is happening (as does Laudato Si’ in chapters three and four); and (c) enabling processes of synodal discernment that move through these two stages into concrete actions.

A full report by Ellen Teague can be found here on Independent Catholic News

Supplementary Reading

AI – Artificial Intelligence and the Church https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20250128_antiqua-et-nova_en.html

Synodality – The Vatican’s Final Document on the recent world-wide process: https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/news/2024-10-26_final-document/ENG—Documento-finale.pdf 

Austen Ivereigh’s Publications Include:

  • The Great Reformer- Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope (2014). Biography of Pope Francis.
  • Let Us Dream (2020). Pope Francis reflection on what we learnt during the Covid pandemic.
  • First Belong to God: On Retreat with Pope Francis (2024). An eight-day Ignatian retreat drawing on the wisdom of Pope Francis and the spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Pope Francis and St Ignatius encourage us recognise our triple belonging: to God, to Creation and one another.

LINKS

Austen Ivereigh Website

Southern Dioceses Environment Network

Northern Dioceses Environment Group

Opening prayer: Bernadette Jordan (Diocese of Salford)

Adapted from a prayer by David Kossoff in ‘You have a minute, Lord?’ 1977

Lord, a word.
It’s about the world.
Your world that you made in six days,
Resting on the seventh and being pleased with your work.
And rightly so Lord.
It is a beautiful world you made.
Beautiful.
Well, Lord, it’s getting dirty.
We’re dirtying it, Lord.
You made the seas and the creatures therein, Lord.
And we are choking the creatures
with filth and oil, Lord.
You made all the creatures that
fly and swim and live on land.
And you looked on them and said, ‘Good.’
Well Lord, there’s quite a few
You wouldn’t be able to find.
Extinctions have happened and are happening right now.
We try to improve on your work, Lord.
We make a lot of noise and a lot of smoke.
And a lot of what are called waste-products.
Pollutants, Lord. Effluents and such.
Wonderful gifts you have given us, Lord.
Riches beyond imagination
Now we have the fastest roads and
The fastest cars and the fastest planes.
But sometimes we don’t stop to see the wonders
that are with us every day.
Every Spring you make it all new again, Lord,
Every summer it all grows.
Every autumn you show us colours to
Catch the breath, to swell the heart.
Every winter you remind us of your presence.
We need reminding, Lord.
We litter the place.
We clash with the colours.
And worse, to be quite honest, Lord,
A lot of us don’t notice.

Reflection from Bernadette
Pope Francis raised our awareness in his encyclical Laudato Si’ and coming together in celebration gives us hope. The natural world springs back new each year on Earth’s untrodden ground. This fills me with gratitude and thanksgiving. We are called to Hope that is linked to love and to a sense of responsibility for those who come after us. Lord, let us tread lightly on the Earth by reducing our demands and living simply.

Closing Prayer: Siân Thomas-Cullinan (Brentwood Diocese)

Loving God, as we close this time together,
we pause to recognise Your presence among us.

In our conversations, in our questions, and in our
shared commitment to care for this beautiful, fragile world
we carry with us the vision of Laudato Si’
A vision of a world
where the earth is treated not as a resource to be used,
but as a gift to be cherished.

A world where the dignity of every person is honoured,
where the vulnerable are protected,
and where justice and sustainability walk hand in hand.

Together, we hold onto the hope of a world that is fairer,
greener, and more deeply connected, where communities flourish,
creation is respected, and future generations can live with joy and peace.

As we step back into our daily lives, give us the imagination to dream big,
the courage to act boldly, and the grace to stay rooted in love for You,
for each other, and for our common home. Amen

Report on NJPN Networking Day on Opening Doors to a Sustainable World, 10 May 2024

Bokani Tshidzu (Operation Noah)and James Buchanan (Laudato Si’ Movement)

Source: Ellen Teague

Justice and Peace contacts from dioceses around England and Wales gathered on Saturday 10th May 2025 for a networking day on ‘Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations’. It was the third meeting in the series of events for this Jubilee Year of Hope organised by the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN).

Held at CAFOD’s office in South London, it brought together around 40 participants from Arundel and Brighton, Birmingham, Brentwood, Cardiff/Menevia, Clifton, Hallam, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Southwark and Westminster. They were joined by representatives of CAFOD, Religious Links, FCJ Sisters, Jesuit Missions, Columbans, Journey to 2030 and Laudato Si’ Animators.

The day opened with reflective prayer and singing of the hymn, ‘O Word of God come into this place,’ by Ricky Manalo, led by Sr MaryAnne Francalanza, Director of the London FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice, and Colette Joyce, Westminster Justice & Peace Co-ordinator.

The first speakers were Mary and Peter Johnson of the Livesimply parish of St Teresa of Lisieux Parish at Lexden in Brentwood Diocese, whose projects include creating a prayer garden, producing sustainable lifestyle ideas and creation-centred prayers of intercession, and making Laudato Si’ better known. They are trained Laudato Si animators and are active with social projects of Caritas Brentwood and have helped organise the installation of 24 solar panels on their church roof. “The Season of Creation is now embedded in our parish,” they said. There were plenty of ideas for other parish groups.

Mary Finnerty, Lead Economist at CAFOD, and Andrea Speranza of CAFOD campaigns talked on ‘Tackling debt and the climate crisis in this Jubilee Year.’ The meeting was urged to support and bring to Catholic parishes a Caritas Internationalis petition calling for debt cancellation for the world’s poorest countries. It aims to reach 10 million signatures. CAFOD is also calling for a Debt Justice Law in the UK and a new comprehensive debt framework. Some in the room had been involved in Jubilee 2000 – which prompted the cancellation of $130 billion of debt 25 years ago – and endorsed a focus on structural change to try and prevent poor country indebtedness building up again. “There are structural issues keeping countries in debt that have never been addressed,” said Andrea. Maria pointed out that there are particular opportunities for campaigning in the UK because 98% of the loans of poor countries are governed by English Law.”

All were urged to attend and promotes a lobby of parliament on 9 July, which includes Christian development agencies and civil society networks, and will urge MPs to work towards the UK becoming a global leader in tackling climate change and restoring nature by 2030. “Faith groups have an important role to play,” said Andrea. And then there will be a build up to campaigning for significant climate action at the UN’s COP30 climate conference in Brazil in November.

James Buchanan of the Laudato Si Movement and Bokani Tshidzu of Operation Noah spoke to ‘Greening Church Investments: fossil fuel divestment and investment in climate solutions.’ Participants were urged to join the ‘Big Bank Switch’ and ‘Share Action.’ Bishop Gerardo Alimane Alminaza of San Carlos in the Philippines sent a video message challenging extractive industries which harm the environment and urged ethical investment. He was particularly concerned about HSBC and Standard Chartered’s financing of liquefied natural gas terminals and fossil gas power plants in the Verde Island Passage: Everyone clapped as he concluded with, “we hope we can count on you to join and support us.”

The Muslim Director of Faith for the Climate, Dr Shanon Shah, led group work on creation-centred theology – taken from ‘Laudato Si’, ‘Laudato Deum’ and the Muslim document ‘Al-Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth.’ Participants undertook to network more ecumenically and interfaith on justice, peace and ecology issues. Interfaith collaboration was also mentioned in a message from Bishop John Arnold, Lead Bishop for the Environment in England and Wales. He welcomed initiatives in parishes and schools to care for the environment over the 10 years since the publication of Laudato Si’. And he added that, “internationally, there has also been good news, especially with the impact of the Islamic document ‘Al-Mizan’ which so closely mirrors the contents of Laudato Si’.”

In the feedback at the end one participant reflected, “this is a great network of individuals, groups and organisations and we are strong when we work together.” Inspired by the day, actions suggested for building a sustainable world included promoting CAFOD’s Livesimply programme in parishes and schools and lobbying dioceses to have paid staff offering expertise on renewable energy projects and fossil-free banking. Creation-care should be embedded in Church liturgies and sacramental preparation. Church monies should be used ethically.

The next major NJPN event will be the annual national conference at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire, on 25-27 July 2025. The theme will be: ‘Towards a Just Peace – Challenging the Inevitability of Violence.’ Keynote speakers will be Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury and Dr Joanna Frew of Rethinking Security. All are welcome.

LINKS

Sign up for the livesimply award: https://cafod.org.uk/campaign/livesimply-award

Train to be a Laudato Si’ animator (free): https://laudatosianimators.org/

Laudato Si’ action platform: https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/

CAFOD resources to promote the debt petition in parishes as well as the online petition version:
https://shop.cafod.org.uk/collections/frontpage/campaign

Big Bank Switch: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/campaigns/have-you-joined-the-big-bank-switch-yet/

Diocesan divestment at: www.operationnoah.org/bright-now-campaign/church-divestment/

July 9 – Mass Lobby of Parliament for People, Climate and Nature. www.theclimatecoalition.org/act-now-change-forever

NJPN Annual National Conference in July: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference-2025/njpns-47th-annual-conference-25-27-july-2025/

NEW DATE Announced – Wednesday 4th June, 7-9pm Celebrating Laudato Si’ with Austen Ivereigh

We are thrilled to announce that a new date has been set for the joint event hosted by the Northern Dioceses Environment Group and the Southern Dioceses Environment Network to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’.

The event, originally scheduled for Thursday, 8th May, will now be held on Wednesday 4th June, 7.00-9.00pm.

All Catholics and our friends are welcome to join us for this online evening of celebration for the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’ – On the Care of Our Common Home.

Following the Papal Conclave, this will be the first scheduled event for each of our networks during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. Together we will explore the legacy of Pope Francis, especially on the environment.

We are delighted that Austen Ivereigh has been able to find a new date for us so soon after his recent labours as a commentator in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis and on the Papal Conclave which elected Pope Leo XIV. We look forward to welcoming him as our guest speaker and facilitator.

The publication of the papal encyclical, Laudato Si‘, galvanised Catholics around the world and in every country to unite with those of all other faiths and none in the common cause of caring for our home planet and all the people on it. Pope Francis urged us to integrate questions of justice into our debates on the environment, ‘so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’ – for they are one and the same thing. (LS, 49)

Both the Northern and Southern environment meetings grew out of a desire to put the teaching of the encyclical into practice. Austen will help us to reflect on where we have come in the last ten years and what we are being called to do in the next ten.

Those who booked for the 8th May meeting do not need to book again, but if you are able to confirm your attendance by rebooking via Eventbrite, then it will help us to get a better idea of numbers.

NEW DATE – Wednesday 4th June, 7-9pm, Celebrating Laudato Si’ with Austen Ivereigh.

Celebrating Laudato Si – Book with Eventbrite

Link

Southern Dioceses Environment Network

10 May 2025: NJPN Day London – A Sustainable World for Future Generations

Source: Ellen Teague, NJPN

All are warmly invited to the third meeting in the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) series of events for this Jubilee Year of Hope The day at CAFOD’s office at Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB, on Saturday 10 May, 10.15am until 4.00pm.

This day will be facilitated by the NJPN Environment Group, and will include experience of being in a Live Simply parish; Tackling Debt and the Climate Crisis in the Jubilee Year; Greening Church Investments: fossil fuel divestment and investment in climate solutions; and Honouring our Covenants for Care of Creation.

A Filipino bishop who has played a key role in the implementation of Laudato Si’ in the Philippines and Avril De Torres (Deputy Executive Director of CEED Philippines) are to speak on the day’s theme of, ‘Opening doors to a sustainable world for future generations’. In the lead up to Laudato Si Week, Bishop Gerardo Alimane Alminaza of San Carlos will focus on extractive industries and the need for ethical investment, alongside Bokani Tshidzu of Operation Noah and James Buchanan of the Laudato Si Movement.

Shanon Shah, the Muslim Director of Faith for the Climate, will lead group work on creation-centred theology – taken from ‘Laudato Si’, ‘Laudato Deum’ and the Muslim document ‘Al Mizan: A Covenant with the Earth.’ Other speakers include Mary Finnerty, Lead Economist at CAFOD, and Mary and Peter Johnson of the Livesimply parish at Lexden in Brentwood Diocese and the Southern Dioceses Environment Network.

J&P activists from around England and Wales will be attending the day, which will be chaired by Paul Kelly of the Northern Dioceses Environment Group. Sr MaryAnne Francalanza of the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice at Euston and Colette Joyce (Westminster Justice & Peace) will lead liturgies. .

We are asking that you register to attend this Networking Day by emailing Sharon Chambers at admin@justice-and-peace.org.uk as we are limited to a certain number.

Tea and coffee will be provided, please bring your own lunch.

LINK

www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/meetings/opening-doors-to-a-sustainable-world-for-future-generations/

17 February 2025 Southern Dioceses Environment Network Meeting: with Bishop John Arnold, Salford

Now in its fifth year, this monthly Zoom meeting is a valuable space for sharing and learning about the many significant initiatives across the Southern Dioceses focused on our care for creation. It also serves as a source of support as we navigate various challenges together. This month’s meeting was a review of the past year, reflecting on the inspiring talks we’ve had. All of these sessions are available for viewing on the current page:

Southern Dioceses Environment Network

February’s (2025) meeting opened with a prayer from Bishop John Arnold and a short interview where he shared his joys and frustrations. He expressed great encouragement from the work done in schools and at the Salford Laudato Si’ Centre but also voiced concerns about global progress. He emphasised the importance of hope and the commitment to doing what we can as individuals.

To stimulate discussion, John Paul from Journey 2030 and Maureen, a parishioner from Portsmouth Diocese, shared practical and spiritual reflections, along with resources for action linked to the Jubilee Year and the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of Creation. They also posed an important question: how might we continue our journey beyond this Jubilee year, looking ahead to Jubilee 2033?

These open meetings provide a valuable space for diocesan staff, charities, and parish supporters to unite in small groups, fostering collaboration and generating ideas for future meetings. This format offers an excellent opportunity to stay informed, exchange ideas, and support one another in our shared mission.

We are always looking to welcome new voices and hear about the progress in caring for our common home. Please join us on the second Monday of each month!

Additionally, a sister group with the Northern Dioceses is actively collaborating, and we are planning a special event to mark 10 years of Laudato Si’ Week, featuring Austin Ivereigh as a keynote speaker. Keep a look out for further information!

With blessings from the Southern Dioceses,

Arundel and Brighton, Brentwood, Clifton, East Anglia, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Southwark and Westminster.

Southern Dioceses Environment Network

Southern Dioceses Environment Network Report

 Dr Timothy Howles, the Associate director Laudato Si’ Research Institute (LRSI) at Campion Hall, Oxford, addressed the most recent meeting of the Southern Dioceses Environment Network on 14 October 2024.

Tim told us that the LRSI is a Catholic institute, set up by the Jesuits, but he is an ordained Anglican priest, and happy to be working in this project in an ecumenical way.

His slides covered the integral ecology paradigm which is increasingly used in Higher Education but with the theological basis found in Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’.

Laudato Si’ stresses the need for an ecological conversion for all of us (LS 217) and invites us to care for those who are on the margins (LS62). Scientists are frustrated that their data is being ignored so as Prof Chris Rapley says, “We have to change who people are, we have to give them epiphanies”.

LS25 focuses on the idea of interconnectedness, that “we ourselves are part of nature,” and so have responsibility for the delicate equilibria of the world.

The Institute produces resources and books such “Faith-based participation in natural resource governance”, “Integral ecology approaches to the new science of gene drives”, “Endangered languages in North East India”.

They also host talks such as the upcoming lecture by Dr Vijay d’Souza SJ, who will be in Oxford for a lecture on 13 November, 5.30 – 6.30pm, which is both in-person and on livestream.

Future Meetings

Next month, we are pleased to welcome back Dr Emma Gardner, Head of Environment for the Diocese of Salford, who will tell us a little more about the work she does at the Laudato Si’ Centre, the beautiful project at Wardley Hall, near Manchester. For more details visits:

Southern Dioceses Environment Network

Second Monday of every month, except April and August.

Monday, 11 November, 12.45-2.00pm – Salford Diocese: Dr Emma Gardner
Monday, 9 December, 12.45-2.00pm – Advent Reflection & Xmas Fun
Monday, 14 January, 12.45-2.00pm – Feedback from COP29

Link

Laudato Si Research Institute

To contact Dr Timothy Howles: timothy.howles@campion.ox.ac.uk

Call for a Laudato Si’ Centre in every Diocese

Laudato Si’ Animators with Bishop John Arnold during visit to the Laudato Si’ Centre

A group of 24 Laudato Si’ Animators from around England, including some from the Diocese of Westminster, visited the Diocese of Salford’s Laudato Si’ Centre during the Season of Creation. They have undertaken to write to their bishops and push for a similar centre in other dioceses.

Laudato Si’ Animators are members of the Laudato Si Movement, a global community of prayer and action. They work to bring Pope Francis’s Encyclical Laudato Si’ to life. They are trained by the Laudato Si’ Movement to get the message of Pope Francis into the parishes. Most attend bi-monthly zoom meetings and take part in prayer vigils and marches about the climate and biodiversity.

Members of the Laudato Si’ Movement support local parishes and communities to engage in ecological spirituality, sustainable lifestyles and advocacy for climate and ecological justice.

On 29 September, a group of animators met with Bishop John Arnold of Salford, the bishops’ environmental lead in England and Wales.

Their visit to Salford’s Laudato Si’ Centre began with a tour of the Centre given by Emily Cahill, the Centre’s environmental and learning officer. She stressed that Bishop John Arnold’s vision for the Wardley Hall Centre was that it would be used by everyone as a centre for learning, spirituality and wellbeing.

In four years, a lawn has been converted into a thriving garden and a woodland area is ideal for groups. Over 3,000 people have visited the centre, especially school and parish groups.

The group was given leaves from various plants to attach to sheets on which they wrote what inspired them to be animators and what hopes they had for the future. After a simple vegan lunch when they were joined by the director of the centre, Emma Gardner, they split into groups and noted down responses. The rain brought them back into the outdoor classroom where Bishop John Arnold greeted the group and a photo was taken.

Sr Joan Kerley then gave an inspiring talk about St Hildegard of Bingen and St Kateri and the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Creation story. They sang two songs about creation and then started to answer the seven questions that Laudato Si’ Movement had suggested. They ended with prayers from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Greetings to the Natural World.

If a diocese was to set up its own Laudato Si’ Centre it would need land owned by the Diocese, preferably with woodland and near to public transport. Trained staff would be needed to run the centre supported by volunteers. Disabled access and safeguarding are important. In terms of buildings, the outdoor classrooms and portaloos were perfectly adequate. But it was felt the most important needs would be for prayer and vision. It was felt that centres like the one in Salford would be wonderful for getting the message of Pope Francis out to clergy and laity?

A place like this in every diocese would help towards the UK Government’s commitment to rewild 30% of the nation’s land and sea by 2030, and would be a centre for peace, reconciliation and evangelisation.

Animator John Woodhouse said: “We all responded to the inspiring experience of being in creation. How many children never experience this? So many spend their lives glued to their phones and live in a virtual world. So many have mental health issues. Laudato Si’ needs to be seen as a spiritual and evangelical document. Our young people are pushing us to do so much more and they respond very positively to the message of Pope Francis.”

LINK

Laudato Si Centre, Salford: https://laudatosicentre.org.uk/

Laudato Si’ Movement: https://laudatosimovement.org/

Go Veggie For Lent

Fattoush salad

Now that the dust has settled after our 150 mile cycle pilgrimage to Paris for the climate talks, it is important that the pace is not lessened in the fight for climate justice. World leaders must be held accountable to the promises made in Paris, and we should take action in our own lives to reduce our carbon footprints.

The rearing of livestock is a huge environmental burden, not only because of the huge amounts of land required to house animals or to grow the grain to feed them, but also because of the emissions generated by their slaughter, packaging and transport.

Lent is usually a time when we think about giving something up, such as alcohol or chocolate, so why not meat? At Justice and Peace, we thought about ways we could continue to pray and fast for the climate, and came up with the idea of producing a Lenten vegetarian cookbook featuring 40 tasty veggie recipes.

However, we need your help!

If you have a vegetarian recipe you would like to share with us then download the form here, fill it out including the ingredients, method, backstory, any credit if necessary, and a photo (of the dish or yourself or both), and send it back to us at justice@rcdow.org.uk no later than Monday 17 January.

Happy eating!

The Paris Diaries – Cycling Pilgrimage

Danny Bonnett, a wind turbine engineer from Bristol and a cycling pilgrim, shares his experiences of the road to Paris.

London Victoria

The group get ready to take the train to Newhaven

Day 1 – Newhaven to Dieppe

Mileage: almost nil.

Events: a few episodes of queasiness, great hospitality in Dieppe, and a great tour of historic churches – if only we had known how cold it was going to be!  Our hosts were so welcoming it was lovely. Continue reading →

Cycling pilgrimage to Paris is just around the corner

Phase 1 of cycle ride

Barbara Kentish and Fr Joe Ryan in front of Westminster Cathedral at the launch of the pilgrimage

With only two weeks to go until our small band of intrepid cyclists pedal to Paris, we are making our last minute preparations, oiling our bike chains and stocking up on puncture repair kits.

There are 17 cyclists in total who will be making the journey, and they represent a diverse group of people of all ages and from different walks of life. We have Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists and Quakers, who have all been inspired to show their support for the upcoming UN climate talks and to lend their voices to the thousands of people who will converge on France’s capital to call for action to lower global carbon emissions. Continue reading →