As Pope Francis writes in his landmark encyclical, On Care for Our Common Home, Laudato Si, the earth “now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse … . the earth herself. . . . . is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; . . . We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.”

For a summary of the Pope's message, see https://www.stfrancisraleigh.org/pope-francis-laudato-si-summaries/

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The Call

From Pope Francis and the popes who preceded him to our local bishops, the Catholic Church has spoken directly about the importance of caring for God’s creation and about climate change and our urgent call to respond. The Pope reminds Catholics that the virtue of prudence means we must take seriously the conclusions of the great majority of international scientists who warn that climate change is adversely impacting our planet and especially the poorest among us.

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About Us

To live out our pledge as Catholic environmental stewards, a number of parishioners from around the Raleigh diocese have come together to form "NC Catholics Caring for our Common Home." Our mission is to help North Carolina Catholics become better stewards of the earth and to care for all of God's creatures. We focus on providing information about simple, direct environmental stewardship programs and events involving environmental education, recycling, clean water, energy efficiency, and Pope Frances' seven-year Laudato Si action plan.

The enormity of the environmental damage described by Pope Francis, as well as the complex nature of the solutions needed to deal with them, can overwhelm ordinary citizens. It may seem impossible to change our ways or to do much good. But change can start at our local parishes and in our homes and schools. Please consider incorporating some of the events and programs listed below into your daily affairs and Church activities, and join us in a prayer that Pope Francis leaves us with at the conclusion of Laudato Si.