The Laudato Sí Action Platform
A 7-year journey to Integral Theology
Areas of Focus
This year, Pope Francis has invited us to be part of a seven-year journey to Integral Ecology as the new paradigm of justice. Integral Ecology is a concept that reflects the many relationships that keep a system intact, whole, and healthy. It looks at a comprehensive picture of reality and is essential to our understanding the interconnectedness of the whole. This paradigm respects our unique place as human beings in this world as well as our relationship to all which surrounds us. No issue is an isolated event but is part of the web of relationships.
The ultimate GOAL of the Laudato Sí Platform is achieve a transition to an Integral Ecology by 2030, a goal aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, which provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. The U.N. goals recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
The Premise
Systems change over time little by little until they are changed. It takes 21-25% of a given population to become the critical mass to make irreversible change systemic. Pope Francis is asking the 1.3 billion Roman Catholics (approximately 17% of the world population) to work together to help build that critical mass. To do that, Catholics are asked to embrace three pillars of the Laudato Sí Action Platform:
- A public commitment that promotes community action and advocacy
- The transition to Integral Ecology—with measurable projects/goals
- Journeying together with all sectors of society
The VISION is to respond to the cry of Earth and the cry of the poor by achieving GOALS that include:
- Adopting renewable energy
- Achieving carbon neutrality
- Defending all life
- Solidarity with Indigenous peoples and vulnerable groups
- Adopting simpler lifestyles
- Fostering ecological education and spirituality
- Advocating for sustainable development
- Building ecological economies and following ethical investment guidelines, including divestment from fossil fuels and other industries that harm the planet
Pope Francis calls for all sectors of the Church to achieve these goals within a 7-year time-frame:
- Families
- Parishes and dioceses
- Schools and universities
- Hospitals & healthcare facilities
- Organizations and groups
- Businesses and farms
- Religious congregations
