Celebrating Laudato Si' Week 24-31 May 2025

This year's Laudato Si Week - 24-31 May - marks a decade since the publication of the landmark encyclical Laudato Si', which has been so influential in raising awareness of the value of God's creation. The term Pope Francis uses is "ecological conversion" and we are urged to hear, "the cry of Earth, and the cry of the poor." The encyclical spawned a global Laudato Si' movement and united Catholics around the world in seeking climate justice.

From Nigeria, with the 'Enlighten Africa initiative through the eyes of rural African children', to India, commemorating 10 years of Laudato Si', to Climate Simulation Workshops in Europe and meetings in Mexico, this week "is full of hope, action and unity" says the Laudato Si Movement. It is providing daily reflections and hashtags #RaisingHope #LaudatoSiWeek can be used for joining the global conversation. And the Laudato Week 2025 website provides details of global events.

In the UK, a Care of Creation retreat at Boarbank Hall, Cumbria takes the theme 'The Joy of Limits'. Running 27-31 May, talks will look at the social doctrine of the Church on care for creation and living more simply. Optional activities include nature walks, birdwatching, and gardening.

CAFOD and Columban resources are being used by parish and diocesan groups around the UK to study the encyclical, particularly Laudato Si Study Guides, which offer four or six study sessions for groups. Some parish groups are hosting book clubs to read Laudato Si' over six sessions for its six chapters. Others are viewing 'The Letter,' a film which tells the story of four frontline leaders on the climate crisis who travel to Rome to meet Pope Francis and discuss Laudato Si.

Laudato Si animators, who have completed the online Course provided by Laudato Si' Movement, and Justice and Peace activists, are involved in many groups and can offer support. Parishes and schools are increasingly signing up to CAFOD's Livesimply Award and incorporating creation care into their practice.

In Scotland, John Arnold, Lead Bishop on the Environment of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has been invited by the Care of Creation Office of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland to speak about Laudato Si Week on the evening of 30 May. And on 30 May an online Global Celebration has been organised by the Laudato Si Movement. It will "celebrate 10 years of prayer and action and look ahead to the next 10 years together."

On 2 June at 1pm, Operation Noah will hold the latest in our series of webinars exploring the Green Investment Declaration for Churches and faith groups. Christophe Borysiewicz from Rathbones Greenbank and Paul Whitehouse from the Quakers in Britain will speak about Church investment in climate solutions.

Also, a mass Lobby of Parliament has been organised for 9 July, calling for action on climate and biodiversity. It is a critical opportunity to talk to MPs about how the debt and climate crises are linked - and to call for urgent action on debt. The lobby day is organised by The Climate Coalition which includes leading Christian development and environment organisations, including CAFOD and Green Christian.

LINKS

Laudato Si Week: https://laudatosiweek.org/

CAFOD Laudato Si Study resources: https://cafod.org.uk/pray/laudato-si-encyclical

Laudato Si Encyclical Letter and Columban Study and Action Guide: https://columbans.co.uk/resources/

Vocation for Justice Newsletter on Laudato Si: https://columbans.co.uk/how-you-can-help/subscribe/vocation-for-justice/

Global Celebration - May 30 - available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/live/XXwEUxOoKgM

Operation Noah webinar on Greening Church investments: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PgECT6jWRTSEZFXDQ5tn9Q#/registration

Lobby of Parliament on 9 July 'For People, For Climate, For Nature': www.theclimatecoalition.org/act-now-change-forever