The Laudato Si’ Action Platform, officially launched on November 14, 2021, asks Catholics to “transform our way of dwelling in the world, our style of life, our relationship with the resources of the Earth and in general, our way of looking at humanity of saving life.” The initiative encompasses a seven-year action plan to look at environmental and social issues as addressed in Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home (2015).

The congregation enrolled in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform in February 2021 and publicly stated, “Rooted in the Gospel and in the spirit of Francis and Clare, we, as the Sisters of St. Francis, live in right relationship with all creation. 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.”

In the congregation’s statement, the sisters and associates affirmed the commitment for the next seven years 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;
  • Further the ongoing ecological conversion by bringing members into greater understanding of their socio-ecological vocation within the spirit of our charism;
  • Integrate each of the seven Laudato Si’ goals into our life and ministries by developing a systematic process to transition to an integral ecology;
  • Take bold concrete actions in the spirit of Laudato Si’ to address the multiple crises afflicting our common home—the planet and its people;
  • Practice nonviolence as we reconcile and heal the pain in creation and so hope for peace.

A Laudato Si’ Committee, appointed by the Leadership Team in February, 2021, educated themselves on the Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP) and compiled the Dubuque Franciscans’ initiatives in relation to each of the Laudato Si’ goals.

We have been given great abundance and are called to share it with others.  We are invited to be in solidarity with people world-wide promoting environmental and social justice in caring for Sister Mother Earth. More information and inspiration on the Laudato Sí Platform is available at https://laudatosiactionplatform.org.

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