Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

By Catholic Voice, OSV News

OMAHA, Neb. — Archbishop George J. Lucas of Omaha convened a diverse group of leaders from government, business, education, nonprofit, agriculture, and religious organizations across northeast Nebraska for a day of reflection on environmental stewardship.

The Aug. 17 meeting was inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home,” which emphasizes care for the natural environment and humanity's broader relationship with the Earth.

“In recent years Pope Francis has built on decades of church teaching and expressed concern for our common home in his documents ‘Laudato Si’ and ‘Laudate Deum,’” Archbishop Lucas stated. “The Holy Father has appealed for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet, which addresses the urgent environmental threats our world is facing.”

The Archdiocese of Omaha is among more than 20 dioceses in the United States developing an action plan under the Laudato Si’ Action Platform—a free initiative by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. This platform encourages individuals, parishes, educational institutions, health care organizations, and others to create flexible action plans to address ecological concerns.

In “Laudato Si’,” Pope Francis calls upon individuals and organizations to explore ways to build a better future collectively. The local leaders gathered by Archbishop Lucas reflected on aligning their values with the goals of “Laudato Si'” and strategized concrete actions for the coming year.

Central to these plans is a commitment to “hearing the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor,” said Andy Dejka from the archdiocese’s Parish Support Team who helped organize the event.

“As an archdiocese, we are committed to responding to the cry of the Earth and the poor,” Dejka told Catholic Voice. “It aligns with our vision and priorities, especially our commitment to living mercy.”

The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation will be observed on Sept. 1. This day marks the beginning of the ecumenical Season of Creation that concludes on Oct. 4, St. Francis of Assisi's feast day—patron saint of ecology.

The theme for 2024 is “Hope and Act with Creation,” inspired by St. Paul’s Letter to Romans (8:19-25), which discusses creation sharing in both corruption due to sin and ultimate redemption alongside God's people.