Season of Creation: Laudato Si

As we mentioned previously, the "Season of Creation" is celebrated by Christians annually from September 1 through October 4.  Perhaps this is a good time to continue to experience the richness of Laudato Si, Pope Francis' 2015 Encylical about the "care for our common home." The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has provided a Discussion Guide for Laudato Si (available here).  During the Season of Creation, we will share portions of that guide.

Excerpts from Laudato Si:

"I urgently appeal . . . for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all" (n. 14).

"The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all" (n. 23).

"The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change" (n. 13).

As you read Laudato Si through paragraph 61, consider these questions:

1. Pope Francis calls for dialogue that includes "everyone." Who should be included in the conversation who may not currently be?  With whom are Catholics called to dialogue about the future of our common home?

2. The climate belongs to all and is meant for all, yet a disproportionate amount of the earth's resources are consumed by the United States and other wealthy countries.  What does Pope Francis propose must happen in order to address this?