Laudato Si’ Week 2022 is an eight-day campaign to mark the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home and for all its creatures.
Beyond the official programme, the Laudato Si’ Movement spearheading the campaign is encouraging communities at the local level to participate in their own events, both virtual and in person.
In many parts of the world, people have transformed the urgent desire for change into action to safeguard the planet. In Ghana, for instance, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference is working to plant one million trees, and Kenya began planting trees in 2021 in the Kakamega Forest, the last of the country’s rainforests.
In addition to counteracting deforestation, the Church in Africa has contributed to decarbonization, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, the supply of drinking water, removing plastic from the seas and environmental education and awareness.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Diocese of Burlington stands out for engaging the faithful in actively countering the culture of waste, through composting in gardens and vegetable gardens; using only recycled materials; and adopting circular models of food production and consumption. They are also requesting the monitoring of diocesan real estate and demanding that energy supplies be converted to forms that are renewable or have low environmental impact.
It’s a week for individuals and communities to renew their commitment to safeguarding the planet, the same planet that will be shared by future generations.