News from the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry, Archdiocese of Hartford:

"Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience." (Pope Francis, LAUDATO SI, #217)

On June 18th, the Vatican released Pope Francis' encyclical on ecology: Laudato Si: Sulla cura della casa comune (Praised Be: On the Care of the Common Home).

The much-awaited encyclical has the potential to influence other faith leaders, citizens, government officials, and members of the United Nations to come to a substantive agreement on climate change when representatives from 196 countries gather in December in Paris. If you have not yet had a chance to review the encyclical, we have posted it on the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry website, along with several summary resources.

Visit www.catholicsocialjustice.com or click here to view the encyclical from the vatican website.

Please pray for all to be inspired by the Pope's words - to make Earth our common home, to share the gifts God has so generously provided, and to protect the Earth for future generations.