Diocese of Phoenix creates action plan to implement Laudato Si’

The Diocese of Phoenix released an action plan on October 4 to implement the teachings of the 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ on caring for creation. Scheduled for implementation in 2027, the plan is one of 19 diocesan programs participating in the inaugural Laudato Si’ Leadership Cohort organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The plan outlines seven specific goals: responding to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adopting sustainable lifestyles, ecological education, ecological spirituality, and community resilience and empowerment. Abigail Poole, the coordinator of Catholic Social Teaching, stated the plan is inspired by the theme Animated by Christ from the third year of TILMA.

In the document's opening statement, Bishop John Dolan encouraged all parishes, schools, ministries, families, and individuals within the diocese to adopt the plan. The release coincides with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi and the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, which Pope Leo XIV declared to mark the 800th anniversary of the saint's death.