Laudato Si is so complete and so radical that it will take years for us to unpack it fully. There is a lot there, but one of the themes that has most moved me (and this was not surprising) is encapsulated by this statement from the introduction: “The violence present in our hearts, wounded by ...read more

In his newly released encyclical, Pope Francis warned that “people of all faiths must radically transform how we live or face ‘unprecedented destruction of ecosystem.'” CTV News in Edmonton reported on how the warning is playing out in the Alberta Oil Industry. See clip below. Video Courtesy of CTV Edmonton News. ...read more

While things in Rome have been causing a buzz, back home dioceses are heading into their summer schedule. Still, there’s plenty to talk and read about. Here’s a sample: In Ottawa, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, SJ, shares the life story of one of his conference who entered the Jesuits in 1944, just a boy from Winnipeg. ...read more

If you haven’t read the Pope’s latest encyclical on the environment, you should: climate change, the loss of biodiversity, over-consumption, food waste, water scarcity are but a few of the hot button issues Pope Francis took aim at. As the saying goes: something’s gotta give. For the sake of our common home, Pope Francis is ...read more

The pope’s ecology encyclical, Laudato Si, was finally, officially released this week. The label “ecology” does not fully capture the breadth and depth of what Pope Francis discusses in the document. He does outline the problems with our planet, but shows how climate issues cannot be disconnected from human issues like poverty, migration and quality ...read more

Prior to the release of Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, experts reflect on the history and significance of the church’s role in promoting stewardship of creation. Videos courtesy of Catholic News Service. ...read more

On June 18, 2015, Pope Francis released an encyclical on ecology entitled, “Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home.” Prior to the public release, the Holy Father sent the encyclical to all Bishops around the world with a handwritten note, seen below. The note reads: JHS The Vatican, 16 June 2015 Dear brother, In the ...read more

In preparation for Pope Francis’ new ecological encyclical set to come out June 18, 2015, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, led by Bishop Donald Bolen, have released a series of videos and study guides on how Catholics are leading and participating in a new commitment to respect and protect. The series is based on a recent ...read more

Very few of us would argue that we have to care for the environment, in fact Pope Francis has said that it is our moral duty to care for Creation (Morning Homily from Feb 9, 2015). How does this notion square with the idea that Scripture tells us to dominate and subdue the earth? I ...read more

In preparation for Pope Francis’ new ecological encyclical set to come out June 18, 2015, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, led by Bishop Donald Bolen, have released a series of videos and study guides on how Catholics are leading and participating in a new commitment to respect and protect. The series is based on a recent ...read more