In 2015, Pope Francis published an encyclical calling for a change of thinking in our “common home”, advocating sustainable development and social justice. In cooperation with renowned experts from natural and social sciences and theology, the joint KU and VDW project led by Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bartosch examined the encyclical’s potential for inducing social change towards more sustainability. In an audience, the Pope addressed conference participants and thanked them for “hearing the increasingly desperate cry of the earth and the cry of the poor in their hearts” who call for our help and protection. He went on to say that he was full of hope that the concern for the state of our common home would translate into systematic efforts aimed at an integral ecology. In addition, Pope Francis urgently appealed to all governments to adhere to the commitments made at the UN Climate Conference in Paris.
The words “Let’s join forces to save the planet before it’s too late” spoken by Cardinal Pietro Parolin opened the symposium on climate change and conservation of resources in the presence of Curial Cardinal Peter Turkson. As Cardinal Secretary of State, Parolin is the second most important man at the Vatican after the Pope himself; Turkson is the Prefect of Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Many representatives of international environmental protection initiatives, economic experts, activists, scientists, representatives of indigenous groups as well as other Church personalities joined the Pope in speaking at the conference titled “Saving Our Common Home and The Future of Life on Earth”.
The conference was divided into three fields of focus in line with the encyclical’s trajectory “See – Judge – Act”. The first point of focus outlined the status quo. In the next step, conference participants discussed possible ways towards a new economy as well as possible contributions to the climate conference which will be held in Poland in December. The question of how the Church can lead by example and make the voices of young people and indigenous communities heard was also in the center of attention. Eventually, the question of how a massive movement for the protection of “our common home” could be initiated was addressed and practical activities and initiatives for saving our planet were introduced and discussed. Thus, the conference had the aim of inducing and strengthening concrete action to promote sustainability and climate protection.
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bartosch and the project speakers Christian Meier and Till Weyers also took the opportunity to establish new contacts with the Roman universities and explore options for further cooperation. “Our project has the aim of bringing the message of the encyclical into universities. Especially within the German speaking world, the KU takes a central position in this context”, explains Ulrich Bartosch. The large number of initiatives and projects on Laudato Si’ from all over the world were a huge inspiration for continuing their work. The scientists from Eichstätt would like to become part of a network of Catholic universities which also conducts research on the encyclical.
For viewing the conference program and further information, please visit www.laudato-si-conference.com. Over the following weeks, the conference contributions will be uploaded to this website as well.
For a video of the conference, please click here.
For further information on the ongoing KU/VDW research project on the encyclical, please access www.laudato-si-transformation.de.
