Saint Francis of Assisi Ministry

Laudato Si In Action

  • Working for Environmental Justice

    In the first chapter of Laudato Si, Pope Francis addresses global inequality: The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together; we cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we attend to causes related to human and social degradation. In fact,… Continue reading

  • Recycle

    In Chapter One of Laudato Si, Pope Francis states: We have not yet managed to adopt a circular model of production capable of preserving resources for present and future generations, while limiting as much as possible the use of non-renewable… Continue reading

  • Rethink

    In the Introduction of Laudato Si, Pope Francis makes it clear that he was not the first pope to call attention to environmental destruction: Saint John Paul II became increasingly concerned about this issue. In his first Encyclical he warned… Continue reading

  • Renew

    In Chapter One of Laudato Si, Pope Francis calls our attention to unsustainable energy use and consumption: …a number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases (carbon… Continue reading

  • Reuse

    In Chapter One of Laudato Si, Pope Francis calls attention to climate change: Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing… Continue reading

  • Medical Waste

    Hospitals and clinics have a problem, but it’s not just COVID-19. The problem I am talking about is medical waste, and the current pandemic is exacerbating this environmental crisis. Thanks to a rapidly increasing usage of single use medical equipment,… Continue reading

  • Reduce Your Refuse

    Back in May of last year, I wrote a series of articles on the five R’s of responsible and sustainable living. This week I am editing and recycling the series–pun intended–because I believe we all could use a refresher on… Continue reading

  • Loving your neighbor

    In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked by a disciple “Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law”?: Jesus said to him, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all… Continue reading

  • Celebrate the Fifth Anniversary of Laudato Si

    It’s been five years since Pope Francis released his seminal encyclical on climate change and climate justice: Laudato Si. The name comes from the “Laudato Si, Mi Signore” or Praise be to you, my Lord which Pope Francis took from… Continue reading

  • Sick World

    “We carried on regardless, thinking we would stay healthy in a world that was sick,” Pope Francis said at the end of March. A sick world and now sick us. The inextricable connection between the health of the environment and… Continue reading