Care for Creation

On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si') is the new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to "every person living on this planet" for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path. This encyclical is written with both hope and resolve, looking to our common future with candor and humility.

Read the encyclical here. . .
Buy a copy (available in English and Spanish)

Creation Care Guide – Diocese of Columbus
Practical resource for families, parishes, schools, and community.

God’s Creation, Our Common Home – Handout
Resource from Bishop Campbell’s Presentations addressing God’s Creation and the Opiate Addiction Epidemic

Church Teaching and Resources on the Environment

Ohio Bishops Offer Reflections on SB 310 Alternative Energy Legislation

Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 World Day of Peace Message:  "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation"
In his 2010 World Day of Peace Message, Pope Benedict XVI says, "The environment must be seen as God's gift to all people, and the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations."  This site links to the Holy Father's message and educational resources.

Global Climate Change:  A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good
A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, June 15, 2001

Renewing the Earth
A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, November 14, 1991

RESOURCES

Catholic Diocese of Columbus

Office for Social Concerns
     Creation Care Team
     Serves as the central diocesan resource for social justice education and advocacy. 

Office of Development & Planning
     Stewardship Resources

Catholic Conference of Ohio, Care for Creation 
This webpage on environmental justice provides resources for families, parishes, schools, and other institutions. This webpage is an excellent link to current issues and Catholic teaching documents. 

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Environmental Justice Program
The Environmental Justice Program (EJP) educates and motivates Catholics to a deeper reverence and respect for God's creation, and encourages Catholics to address environmental problems, especially as they affect poor and vulnerable people.  This website provides suggestions for action, discussion guides bulletin inserts, liturgy suggestions, action alerts.

Catholic Climate Covenant 
(Start a Creation Care Team)
This organization promotes awareness about the threat of global climate change. This website has links to recent Vatican statements on climate change as well as simple things you can do to make a difference. Take the St. Francis Pledge to care for creation and the poor, learn how to create a Care for Creation Team, and advocate for sound public policy.

Catholic Relief Services
Visit Catholic Relief Services’ Care for Creation resources.  Be in solidarity with others around the world.

Catholics Confront Global Poverty
Be in global solidarity with our neighbors.

Catholic Rural Life Conference
CRL has extensive experience promoting stewardship of the land for rural, urban, and suburban communities.

Shepherd’s Corner 
This 160-acre ecology center operated by the Dominican Sisters of Peace offers education programs and activities on environmental stewardship. 

Ohio Interfaith Power and Light 
The organization encourages religious communities to go green. They can also help churches conduct an energy audit. 

Columbus Green Spot 
Make you parish or school a Green Spot.  Take part in this local initiative.  Educator’s Toolkit, Green Spot Backyards, sustainability classes, business and school resources, and much more.

LOCAL ACTIVITIES - OFFICE FOR SOCIAL CONCERNS

Many parishes, schools, and groups in the diocese are working to promote good stewarship of the environment.  For information about local activities, contact the Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or send us an email at socmailbox@colsdioc.org.

Local Parishes Care for the Environment - The Catholic Times - July 27, 2008