Laudato Si, Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical on the environment, was released ten years ago.  His powerful teaching concerning our responsibility to care for all of creation highlights several themes.  We are called to renew our relationship with God, one another and the created world.  God created the world and entrusted it to us to care for and to protect for all people, as human dignity is strongly linked to care for creation.  The pope reminded us that people, the created world and future generations are all connected and that those living in poverty are disproportionately affected by climate change.  We are called by Pope Francis to live in solidarity as one human family with responsibility to live sustainably and to help poorer nations do so as well.  He instructs us that technology and economic development must serve and enhance human dignity ensuring that all people have access rather than creating an economy of exclusion.  Concern for nature is incompatible with failure to protect vulnerable people.  Our Holy Father calls for a change in lifestyle and consumption as individuals, families and communities.  He  calls on our civil and political leaders to be leaders in these changes. Perhaps most importantly, he reminds us that “injustice is not invincible”; we can act knowing that we seek to live out God’s vision of renewed relationships with Him, one another and creation. 
Submitted by Sharon Barron