In Iowa, Bishops talked about extreme weather and its relationship to Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ recent encyclical on the environment. In Cincinnati, the local Archbishop used the encyclical to urge Ohioans and public officials to take steps to conserve energy. In other part of the U.S., the Church will consider the implications of Laudato Si’ on issues affecting migrants.
In the Diocese of Richmond, home to a large population, coastal towns, beaches and industry as well as the world’s largest naval installation, the Church is paying close attention to the encyclical as well.
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, Bishop Francis DiLorenzo will welcome Church, military, science and community experts to a panel discussion at Sacred Heart, Norfolk, to consider Pope Francis’ call to action in Laudato Si’, and the threats posed by climate change. The educational event is set for 7pm. (Refreshments will be served at 6:30pm.)
The event is sponsored by the Virginia Catholic Conference, the Diocese of Richmond’s Office of Social Ministry and Catholic Climate Covenant, a close partner of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church Norfolk.
Click here to register now.
The encyclical has generated a global discussion on the intersection of human and environmental ecology and how all are called to be good stewards of God’s creation. Around the world, communities—especially poor communities—are dealing with the devastating effects of climate change brought on by deforestation, air pollution, and an increase in severe weather events. Read the encyclical here.
Virginia’s own Tidewater region, an economic driver for the Commonwealth, faces grave threats from sea level rise, including flooded homes and streets as well as threats to the military bases, where the Defense Department is in the process of raising 12 piers at Naval Station Norfolk.
Moderated by Jeff Caruso, executive director of the Conference, the Aug. 25 panel discussion will begin with remarks by Bishop DiLorenzo, who will be introduced by Msgr. Walter Barrett, Episcopal Vicar, Eastern Vicariate.
Panelists include:
- William Dinges, Ordinary Professor of Religion and Culture in the School of Theology and Religious Studies and a fellow of the Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies at The Catholic University of America, speaking on the theology of the papal encyclical;
- Navy Rear Adm. David Titley (ret.), nationally known expert in the field of climate, the Arctic and National Security, speaking on the effect of climate change on the U.S. Navy and national security;
- Navy Captain Ray Toll (ret.), Director of Coastal Resilience Research at Old Dominion University, who will explore how climate change and rising tides are affecting the Tidewater region;
- Navy Commander Andy Presby and Joelle Presby, local residents whose home has been flooded twice by rising sea levels; and
- Dan Misleh, founding executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant, who will talk about how the Church in the U.S. is reacting to and incorporating the encyclical.
If you cannot make it to the Norfolk event, Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in the Diocese of Arlington is hosting “The Gospel of Creations: A New Vision,” a panel discussion on the encyclical on August 19 with Christendom College Graduate School.
We hope you will join us as we consider how to apply the Pope’s encyclical to ecological issues, including the effect of rising tides and the climate crisis facing our common home.