Laudato Si’ 10 years later: Faith, Ecology, and the Call for a Moral Revolution
On May 24, 2015, Pope Francis released Laudato Si’, the first encyclical in the history of the Catholic Church dedicated entirely to ecology. An encyclical is the highest-level teaching document in Catholicism. While previous popes and bishops had spoken about the environment, never before had the Church issued such a comprehensive statement on our moral responsibility to care for creation.
This document didn’t just speak to Catholics; it resonated globally, providing a powerful moral framework that influenced the climate negotiations leading up to the Paris Agreement later that year. Today, we dive deeper into Laudato Si’, exploring its origins, its message, and its enduring impact on both the Church and the world.
1. Connecting Laudato Si’ to Catholic Tradition: Historical Foundations
Laudato Si’ was revolutionary, but it didn’t emerge from a vacuum. Its teachings are deeply rooted in the Church’s long-standing concern for creation.
* John Paul II was the first pope to call the ecological crisis a “moral issue,” linking care for creation with respect for life and social justice. In his 1990 World Day of Peace message, he reflected that praying for peace is not just about the absence of war between humans, but also about peace between humans and creation. He wrote:
“Many ethical values, fundamental to the development of a peaceful society, are particularly relevant to the ecological question... The profound sense that the earth is 'suffering' is also shared by those who do not profess our faith in God... It results from the behaviour of people who show a callous disregard for the hidden, yet perceivable requirements of the order and harmony which govern nature itself.”
* In his 1991 encyclical Centesimus Annus, John Paul II described nature as a gift from God, emphasizing humanity’s duty to cooperate with God in fostering the flourishing of the environment.
* Benedict XVI built on this, especially by linking environmental degradation to economic systems. In the 2009 encyclical Caritas in Veritate, he warned against the “folly of the consumerist mindset” and called for a “change of mentality.” He led by example, making the Vatican carbon neutral and highlighting the interconnectedness of ecological and social issues.
“The economy needs ethics in order to function correctly—not any ethics whatsoever, but an ethics which is people-centred... The way humanity treats the environment influences the way it treats itself, and vice versa... What is needed is an effective shift in mentality which can lead to the adoption of new life-styles...”
Laudato Si’ explicitly references these previous teachings and the broader framework of Catholic Social Teaching, especially the principles of the common good, solidarity, and the preferential option for the poor. It draws on the Church’s call for justice, human dignity, and care for the vulnerable, integrating these with an evolving understanding of “ecojustice.”
2. The Structure and Message of Laudato Si’
The encyclical is organized into six chapters, each addressing a key dimension of the ecological crisis and the Church’s response:
Chapter Overview
* What is Happening to Our Common Home: Examines pollution, waste, climate as a common good, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, declining quality of life, and global inequality. It affirms the “very solid scientific consensus” on climate change and the evidence that human activity is the primary driver.
“The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.”
* The Gospel of Creation: Interprets biblical teachings, emphasizing responsible stewardship and rejecting domination over nature. The Genesis stories are read as calls to cultivate and protect, not exploit, the earth.
“The common destination of goods”: The earth is a shared inheritance, meant to benefit everyone. For believers, this is a question of fidelity to the Creator.
* The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis: Explores social trends and ideologies—such as consumerism, technocracy, and moral relativism—that have led to environmental destruction.
“Modernity has been marked by an excessive anthropocentrism... There needs to be a distinctive way of looking at things, a way of thinking, policies, an educational programme, a lifestyle and a spirituality...”
* Integral Ecology: Presents the core solution: linking environmental, social, cultural, and economic issues. Humans are not separate from, but deeply interconnected with, the broader living world.
“We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental... Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”
* Lines of Approach and Action: Applies integral ecology to politics, calling for international agreements, new policies, inclusive decision-making, and an economy ordered to the good of all.
* Ecological Education and Spirituality: Concludes with a call for a spiritual and cultural revolution—almost a counter-revolution to consumerism. It recommends a lifestyle focused on enduring values, environmental education, civic love, and an “ecological conversion.”
Central Messages
* Interconnectedness: Humanity’s fate is bound to the health of the planet; environmental and social crises are inseparable.
* Moral and Spiritual Crisis: The ecological crisis reflects a deeper spiritual and moral malaise.
* Universal Call: The encyclical is addressed to “every person living on this planet,” not just Catholics.
* Integral Ecology: Solutions must address environmental, social, economic, and cultural dimensions together.
* Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor: Environmental degradation and social injustice are linked; the poor suffer most from ecological harm.
3. Laudato Si’ in the Context of Religion and Ecology
Influences and Shifts
* Lynn White: His criticism of Christianity’s role in environmental degradation prompted the Church to clarify its teachings on stewardship.
* St. Francis of Assisi: His “Canticle of the Creatures” inspired the encyclical’s title and vision of kinship with all creation.
* Leonardo Boff: A Brazilian liberation theologian, whose work “Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor” is explicitly referenced, linking ecological and social justice.
* Thomas Berry: Advocated for a new ecological consciousness and a “New Story” that integrates science and spiritual wisdom, seeing humans as part of a “communion of subjects, not a collection of objects.”
Laudato Si’ marks a shift from a theology of domination to one of relationship and responsibility, integrating scientific understanding with spiritual insight. It is a landmark in the evolving field of religion and ecology, positioning the Catholic Church as a global leader in ecological ethics and dialogue with science.
4. The Legacy and Impact of Laudato Si’ (2015–2025)
Influence on Global Climate Action
* Played a significant role in shaping the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, providing a moral framing that influenced international negotiations and inspired leaders worldwide.
* Frequently cited by scientists, diplomats, and activists, and has inspired similar initiatives in other faith traditions.
* Sparked the creation of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and numerous Catholic and interfaith environmental movements.
* Encouraged Catholic institutions to divest from fossil fuels and adopt renewable energy.
* Positioned Pope Francis as a leading global voice on climate and environmental issues.
The Concept of “Ecological Sin”
* Laudato Si’ established the act of “ecological sin” as an action or omission against God, neighbor, community, and the environment—including future generations. This concept highlights the relational aspect of sin, extending it to our relationship with the natural world.
Subsequent Developments
* Pope Francis continued to address environmental issues in Laudate Deum (2023), expressing concern about insufficient progress and warning that “the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point.”
* Pope Leo XIV, the current pope, has referenced Laudato Si’ in his teachings, emphasizing the Church’s mission to “care for creation” and calling for a “conversion” of hearts and lifestyles.
“We must pray for the conversion of many people, inside and outside of the church, who still do not recognize the urgency of caring for our common home.”
5. Reflections and Looking Forward
Ten years on, the message of Laudato Si’ remains urgent as environmental crises intensify. The Church continues to advocate for ecological conversion, justice for the poor, and global solidarity. The encyclical’s legacy lies in its call for a “moral revolution” that unites ecological, social, and spiritual renewal.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for joining us in exploring the roots, message, and ongoing impact of Laudato Si’. The work of caring for our common home continues, and its call is more urgent than ever. Give the podcast a listen for an even better version of this summary!
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