The Laudato Si’ Action Platform recently hosted a series of meetings with representatives of Dioceses enrolled in the platform, bringing together Catholic leaders from the Americas, the Iberian Peninsula, Africa, and Europe. These gatherings offered an opportunity for Dioceses worldwide to connect, share, and learn from one another. Moderators from different regions led the discussions, setting the tone for reflective conversations that were eye-opening.
Different Dioceses presented case studies based on their local experiences.
The diversity of participants highlighted the global commitment to integral ecology and underscored the unique approaches each region brings. In the Americas, for instance, the Catholic Church is witnessing two distinct engagement styles. As Paz Artaza-Regan, Program Manager of Creation Care Teams at the Catholic Climate Covenant in the United States, observed:
“In the United States, Dioceses are engaging with action plans that respond to our differentiated responsibility as being part of a nation that has historically driven carbon emissions. We focus on personal and systemic reductions within our members, parishes, schools, etc. In Latin America, the engagement is more outward…more international. The Church in Latin America is seeking to lift the Catholic voice in the global arena, while in the United States we seem to be focused on more internally United States-driven agendas.”
This difference in focus brought a profound richness to the meeting, as leaders from both continents found themselves learning from each other’s perspectives. Paz emphasized the importance of this cross-regional dialogue, noting, “We in the United States have much to learn from our Latin American brothers and sisters.”
A Shared Pilgrimage of Reconciliation
For many participants, these meetings went beyond discussions of strategy; they represented a step forward in synodality—a sharing of the local experiences and challenges facing dioceses worldwide. Reflecting on this aspect, John Mundell shared:
“For me, the beginning of these diocesan sector meetings represents a major synodal step in the activities of the Platform: a deep sharing of the local experiences and challenges that each diocese faces on our shared pilgrimage of reconciliation. In this sharing, I felt we experienced the presence of God in our midst, who points to possible solutions and gives us new directions for engaging the structural components of the Church. In this, I find great hope!”
This hope was echoed by participants around the globe. Whether describing themselves as “connected,” “moved,” or “inspired,” the sentiment was clear: these meetings were a testament to the power of collaboration across borders. Attendees left with a strengthened sense of solidarity and a renewed commitment to integral ecology.
Participants shared one-word descriptions of the impact of these meetings.
Strengthening Our Global Network
As we look to the future, the Laudato Si’ Action Platform will continue fostering these global connections. By amplifying voices from different regions, we can inspire one another and build a more unified, global approach to integral ecology. As Paz pointed out, future meetings with more interaction between the United States and Latin America would offer invaluable learning opportunities and encourage mutual growth.
What is your next step?
- For those unsure of where to begin, take a first step. Enroll in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform to learn about suggested actions and build a plan.
- For those who have already enrolled but need to continue their journey, log into the platform and upload a plan based on suggested actions for themselves and their community.
- Finally, for those in the middle of their journey, take the time to reflect and celebrate their recent steps toward integral ecology.