Laudato Si Action Platform (LSAP)
CRA Secretariat Response
Introducing the LSAP
As you are likely aware, Pope Francis has commissioned a bottom-up, global networking initiative, inspired by his encyclical Laudato Si’, to engage Catholics around the world in taking practical steps towards a lifestyle of ecological integrity for a sustainable future.
This venture of the universal church, called the Laudato Si Action Platform (LSAP), is led by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in collaboration with an international coalition of Catholic organisations.
It will run for seven years, commencing 14 November 2021. The first year is a year of preparation, followed by five years of action, followed by a final sabbatical year of praise and thanksgiving to God.
There are seven community sectors invited into this task: families, parishes and dioceses, educational institutions, health care institutions, the economic sector, organisations and groups, and religious life.
There are seven goals (areas of focus): Response to the cry of the earth; Response to the cry of the poor; Ecological economics; Adoption of sustainable lifestyles; Ecological education; Ecological spirituality; Community resilience and empowerment.
Laudate Deum (Praise God)
In this follow-up to his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis offers a personal, impassioned public-policy plea for action on the “climate crisis”. We’re not reacting enough, he says, we’re close to breaking point. He describes how care for our common home flows from the Christian faith. He has titled the Exhortation, Praise God (Laudate Deum) “for when human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies.”
Resources
‘See, Judge, Act’ sessions on the environment (Our Common Home) through a Catholic lens, inspired by Laudato Si' and Catholic Social Tradition
Sowing Hope for the Planet - A website providing resources for Laudato Si’ Action Plan
Laudato Si’, a Q&A with Jacqui Remond & Sheila Kinsey
Interview between Jacqui Rémond and Sheila Kinsey FCJM about Pope Francis’ appeal to Religious Institutes, shared with permission from the Redemptorists.
Jacqui Rémond was formerly Director of Catholic Earthcare Australia and co-founder of the Global Catholic Climate Movement, a Laudato Si’ consultant and Joint Coordinator of the Ecology Taskforce Vatican Covid-19 Commission.
Sheila Kinsey FCJM, Executive Co-Secretary of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation joint commission of USG (Union of Superiors General, of men) and UISG (International Leaders Superiors General, of female orders).