Laudato Si’!
Celebrating our Care for ALL Creation throughout the 2026 'Year of St Francis of Assisi' - and beyond!
Welcome
Love and concern for the gift of God’s Creation and working towards renewal of our relationship with Him through caring for the natural world is not a new or recent idea; it is reflected in the Psalms, the Scriptures and the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ as well as in the lives of the saints – not least St Francis of Assisi (c.1181 – 1226).
This year, 2026, the 800th Anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, has been designated by the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV as the ‘Year of St Francis’ – and this website is now a dedicated space for all of us in the Diocese of Leeds to follow the Saint’s legacy of sanctity, simplicity and sustainability: his love for the poor and care for ALL God’s Creation!
St Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures (also known as the Canticle of the Sun) begins ‘Laudato S’ mi’ Signore!’ – ‘Praise be to You, my Lord!’ Many popes have written encyclicals and published books and papers on environmental issues, including Pope St John Paul and Pope Benedict as well as other learned theologians. The most recent and best known of these is Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical LAUDATO SI’: CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME, which was followed on the Feast of St Francis (4 October) 2023 by his shorter Apostolic Exhortation, LAUDATE DEUM.
Nothing in this world is indifferent to us!
The Seven Goals of Laudato Si’ are:
Response to the Cry of the Earth;
Response to the Cry of the Poor;
Ecological economics;
Adoption of simple lifestyles;
Ecological education;
Ecological spirituality;
Emphasis on community involvement and participatory action.
In the Diocese of Leeds, we spread awareness of Laudato Si’, try to live as far as possible by its principles, and communicate its messages through our policies, by education and through initiatives such as the CAFOD LiveSimply Award and our own Laudato Si’ Mini-Pilgrimages.
These pages aim to inform, engage and enthuse all in hearing – and listening to – the Cry of the Poor and the Cry of the Earth; prioritising deeds over words as we aim for on-going ecological-conversion.
Read the Bishop’s Pastoral Letter for the 2024 Season of Creation here.
Click here to read what some of our parishioners, Laudato Si’ Advocates, members of the Diocesan Curia and the Bishop have to say on Environmental issues – but – actions speak louder than words! Our DIOCESE OF LEEDS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY refrains from making easy, empty promises or grand gestures. Instead, we actively aim for 2030, following practices in fuel provision, in property building and maintenance and in travel which are achievable, measurable – and have a real impact in the aim towards carbon neutrality.
On 5 July 2022, it was announced that our diocese was one of 19 UK faith institutions divesting from fossil fuel companies.
Bishop Marcus said: ’The Diocese of Leeds has enjoyed a long partnership with Interdiocesan Fuel Management (IFM) and its commitment to renewable energy, and we have now divested ourselves of the few remaining investments in fossil fuel companies. As we continue to strive for realistic, achievable, incremental goals, specific to the needs and context of our local ecology, we are also respectful of the worldwide environment. Care for Our Common Home is woven into the warp and weft of our Diocesan Family life; not only do we proclaim ‘Laudato Si’!’ with our words, but also give praise to Him in all our deeds!’
Working with Interdiocesan Fuel Management (IFM) for decades, our Green Energy certificates over the years have shown progress in the right direction.
We have also obtained through IFM, the raw data on our parishes’ and Pastoral Centre’s energy consumption which, with the help of a student project at Leeds Trinity University, enabled us to calculate a baseline for our Carbon Footprint in 2023 (1.6 Million Tonnes of CO2) and 2024 (1.2 Million Tonnes of CO2). This calculation (which does not include schools) was done using the following template methodology created by the Guardians of Creation Group.
Other priorities on our list of achievable green initiatives with real impact include a Policy for home and hybrid working for Curia employees, cutting down on commuting pollution, plus other plans in progress addressing national and international travel.
Our Diocesan Laudato Si’ Sustainability Group (DLSSG) was originally established in early 2021 to foster development of long–term strategic aims. Today, chaired by our Trustee, Carla Stockton-Jones, it comprises members of the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission’s Climate Action Group, who, along with key Curia decision makers (Communications, Education, Finance, and Property) and our partners in Sustainability at Leeds Trinity University, possess significant environmental knowledge and professional expertise.
Our Sustainability Strategy is embedded into everything we do, with Sustainability permeating decisions at all levels in our Diocese. It indicates both the long-term journey we are inspired to take, and hopeful and urgent, positive action as stewards of God’s Creation. Our Gospel Mission mandates responsibility to do our part by making changes in our own lives, homes, parishes and schools to reduce and minimise our direct impacts. We are committed to using the Diocese’s assets – working with the diverse expertise in our parishes, schools, staff and partners – to collaborate with all like-minded people and institutions in finding local sustainable solutions to global challenges.
Some of the main aspects on which the Diocesan Sustainability Strategy will focus are:
• ongoing education, formation and information for parishes, curia, trustees, clergy (‘Change is impossible without motivation and a process of education’ – LS 15)
• establishing parish & school ‘Green Teams’
• encouraging parish/school strategies
• developing programmes to gain CAFOD’s ‘LiveSimply’ Award
• producing investment cases to install solar panels, heat pumps, building insulation
• enhancing parish and school grounds’ biodiversity as a tangible sign of hope
• reducing the diocesan energy contract (£1.9 million/annum), seeking external funding, and installing new and effective smart metering
• speaking out about the urgency of climate justice in line with the living out of the Gospel in people’s lives.
The Diocesan Laudato Si’ Sustainability Group is at your service to help with, and learn from, YOUR parish and school ideas and communicate your initiatives through these pages to inspire others!
The DLSSG may be contacted via: environment@dioceseofleeds.org.uk