Papal encyclical, ‘Laudato Si”,’ to be discussed

The B.C. Catholic

More than one year after Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical, “Laudato Si”,” its teachings will be highlighted at SFU.

“Laudato Si’ (On Care for our Common Home) is a landmark encyclical in the social doctrine of the Church,” said Father Fernando Mignone, the SFU chaplain.

“It was dedicated exclusively to the environment and ecological issues, and has had a huge impact here in British Columbia, even among non-Catholics. For example, David Suzuki said every time he reads it, he weeps.”

The free symposium will be held at the SFU Wosk Centre for Dialogue Oct. 11, from 7-9 p.m. Father Mignone has advised “everybody, the whole of British Columbia” to attend. It will be hosted by the SFU Interfaith Centre, with sponsorship from the SFU Sustainability Office, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS), and SPNAGE PR and AD Agency.

The purpose of the event is to highlight the concrete steps that businesses, organizations, researchers, and individuals in the Lower Mainland have taken to improve “our common home.”

Commitment to climate solutions will be rewarded at the event, after nominations by the public.

“This event is part of the institute’s ongoing effort to engage with a diverse range of audiences over the common challenge of reducing our carbon footprints,” said Nastenka Calle, PICS program manager at SFU.

She said it’s important to educate people on the effects of carbon emissions as well as to create public dialogue to improve the environment. “The Pope has asked for an open dialogue that includes everyone on solutions that benefit people and the planet,” Calle said. “That’s why we are interested in collaborating with the faith centre for this event.”




Guests at the symposium will include Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB; Anne Giardini, the chancellor of SFU; Praveen Varshney, a businessman; and Sybil Seitzinger, the executive director of PICS.

Caption: Anne Giardini

Laduato Si’ “is so powerful, and many people identify with it,” said Father Mignone. “Pope Francis mentioned we must consider the planet our common home, and not turn it into a huge pile of filth.”

A webcast can be viewed at https://www.sfu.ca/students/

interfaith/news-events.html. Attendees can also register, and candidates for awards can be nominated.