Above: Solar panels atop the roof of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill.
The Diocese of Raleigh is preparing to join a global Vatican initiative aimed at deepening Catholic commitment to environmental stewardship and social justice. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP), inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, offers a framework for individuals and institutions to live out the Church’s teachings on ecology, solidarity, and simplicity.
In a call to action, Bishop Luis Zarama has tasked NC Catholics Caring for Our Common Home (N4CH) with drafting a diocesan plan for enrollment in LSAP. The group, known for its advocacy and education around Catholic ecological values, will lead efforts to engage parishes, schools, ministries, and religious communities in the initiative.
Pope Francis writes in Laudato Si’, “How inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace” (LS 10). This vision underpins LSAP’s seven goals:
- Responding to the cry of the poor
- Responding to the cry of the earth
- Ecological education
- Ecological spirituality
- Adopting simple lifestyles
- Community engagement and participatory action
- Ecological economics
As a first step, N4CH will inform diocesan leaders and parishioners about these goals. Next, they will inventory existing efforts across the diocese to identify best practices and resources already in use. Several parishes have been recognized for their work, but N4CH hopes to include all communities in this shared mission.
Parishes, schools, ministries, and groups are invited to submit information about their stewardship activities that align with LSAP’s goals. This is a chance to celebrate local successes and inspire others across the diocese.
By participating in LSAP, the Diocese of Raleigh aims to weave the values of Laudato Si’ more deeply into parish life and Catholic identity. The initiative promises to offer new ideas and resources that reflect the Church’s reverence for creation and care for the vulnerable.
Submissions are due by December 15, 2025, and should be sent to Monica Kleimeyer at: mitzkleimeyer@nccommonhome.org.
This effort marks a significant step in living out the Church’s call to ecological conversion—one rooted in faith, justice, and hope for our common home.
Below: Volunteers accept electronic waste at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Raleigh.
