The Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) and the Laudato Si’ goals and action plan insist that the Jesuits pursue ecological conversion. With transformed hearts, hearing the integrally connected cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor, we are called to the front lines where individuals and communities are responding to the climate crisis. We are fortunate to have several rich resources to engage individuals and institutions in this critical moment.
For anyone who needs a compelling summary of the urgency of our climate crisis, we recommend a presentation given at the AJCU 2021 Justice in Jesuit Higher Education conference by Loyola University of Chicago’s Dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability Dr. Nancy Tuchman.
The Secretariat for Jesuit Education created a Taskforce on Caring for our Common Home which released a new Ecological Framework to give meaning, direction, and guidance to Jesuit schools as we care for our common home, individually and collectively, locally, and globally. The framework uses key reflection questions to help us examine actions and habits; it suggests practical actions individuals and school communities can take to heal our earth. Read the Ecological Framework and download action posters here.
Catholic Climate Covenant has created an online platform to help Catholic institutions and individuals respond to the Laudato Si’ goals. The website is entitled: We are all part of God’s Plan(et)
The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) and Jesuit Conference Office of Justice and Ecology (OJE) have co-developed a year-long program that weaves Laudato Si, the UAPs and the Ignatian Year. Renewing the Earth- living Laudato Si’ in the year of Ignatius will offer monthly reflections and opportunities for online, communal conversation and reflection.
Each year, from September 1 to October 4, Catholics are invited to join an ecumenical initiative called the Season of Creation. Organizers offer both a broad 2021 program guide and a liturgical guide to integrate the season into weekly masses.
Currently, there is an effort for Catholic individuals and institutions to sign a petition, urging the Biden Administration and Congress to rise above partisanship and take bold steps to protect our common home and future. The Catholic Climate Covenant will deliver petition signatures to elected leaders during the Season of Creation with the hope that it will empower our country to lead the world as we enter the United Nations COP 26 meetings this fall.
Speaking of COP 26, you can follow ways Jesuit and colleagues around the world are engaging with the process leading up to the formal November gathering.
Visit our Environtmental Justice homepage to learn more about our work.