Posted June 18, 2015

The following is a statement of Archbishop Charles Chaput on Laudato Si, the encyclical by Pope Francis on environmental concerns released today, June 18. See the archbishop’s fuller reflection on the papal document. Folllow CatholicPhilly.com’s developing coverage today of this major new document of Catholic teaching.

“The Holy Father’s new Laudato Si (“Praise be to you, Lord”) encyclical is a deep and complex appeal to conscience, a challenge to all of us to reexamine our stewardship of the environment and our love for the global poor.

“It argues forcefully for the priority of the common good, the dignity of the marginalized and the beauty of God’s creation as a gift we all need to husband and share.

“As Philadelphians prepare for the World Meeting of Families this fall, Pope Francis reminds us that the family is a school of love and responsibility, the seed of a ‘culture of life’ that includes the dignity of the earth and the needs of all its peoples.”