Welcome to the Diocese of Orlando web page for “Praised Be,” the new encyclical by Pope Francis about the Church’s teaching on caring for creation. An encyclical is a letter written by a pope to all people of good will.
Pope Francis has said that caring for creation concerns human relationships.
We are living in a time of crisis; we see it in the environment, but above all we see it in men and women. The human person is in danger… hence the urgent need for human ecology!
Pope Francis, General Audience June 5, 2014
Click here to read “Praised Be: On Care for our Common Home”.
Bishop Noonan Reflects on Laudato Si’
Did you know?
- Climate change is a moral issue. We care about the planet because it’s created by God. We care even more about people because human life is created by God in His image and likeness. Pope Francis will be offering moral guidance as a pastor. This guidance is rooted in Scripture and central Catholic teachings about care for others and care for God’s creation.
- The Catholic Church has a history of caring about the environment and caring about ecology and science. Catholics bring a distinctive and important voice to this conversation. We are called to participate in public life and work for the common good. We’re a global church with experience with what’s going on in communities around the world. We’re committed to responding to the concerns of those on the margins: the poor, the young, and others at the peripheries.
- The time to act is now. As Catholics, we are called to be good stewards of the earth and the people entrusted to our care. Pope Francis is offering hope, encouraging us all to care for others and for the gift of God’s creation. It’s time to work together to better protect the created world. Let’s build a culture of stewardship.
- Faith and reason go hand in hand. The Church respects the role of science. Scientific knowledge should be used to promote human flourishing and to protect the poor.