Sisters Make Commitment to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform

“Rooted in the Gospel and in the spirit of Francis and Clare, the Sisters of St. Francis live in right relationship with all creation.” (Mission Statement).  Therefore, we, the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa, and our Associates, publicly commit to join the worldwide Catholic community in responding to Pope Francis’ appeal to participate in a seven-year journey toward sustainability and integral ecology by developing a Laudato Si’ Action Plan. This journey is officially inaugurated on November 14, 2021.

This commitment marks our willingness:
• To take up the “urgent appeal” of Laudato Si’ to listen and respond to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor by making it a community priority;
• To further our ongoing ecological conversion by bringing our members into greater understanding of their socio-ecological vocation within the spirit of our charism;
• To integrate each of the seven Laudato Si’ goals into our life and ministries by developing a systematic process to transition to an integral ecology;
• To take bold concrete actions in the spirit of Laudato Si’ to address the multiple crises afflicting our common home—the planet and its people;
• To practice nonviolence as we reconcile and heal the pain in creation and so hope for peace.

This commitment is made in faith hope and love knowing that we are participating in God’s work of transformation for we know that things can change.

“The choice for integral ecology is inherent to who we are as Franciscans,” said Sister Kathy Knipper, President of the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque. “This is an exciting time to be part of a worldwide faith-based movement critical to promoting environmental and social justice, and caring for Sister Mother Earth.”