WASHINGTON — Caring for creation goes hand-in-hand with the mission of helping retreat-goers connect with God at the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma, Ohio. The center’s tree-enshrouded grounds that filter the sound of nearby traffic in the middle of Cleveland’s largest suburb offer a home for wildlife and a respite for those seeking a quiet place to pray and reflect about God in their life. “The beauty of these grounds and the care of these grounds is our responsibility,” Rick Krivanka, executive director at the retreat house, told Catholic News Service June 18, the third anniversary of the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical on care of the earth, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.” “I believe every act we take in terms of care for the earth, even countless acts that are never seen, make a difference,” he said, in explaining the retreat house’s support for the newly released Catholic Climate Declaration. Made public on the encyclical’s anniversary, the declaration serves as a moral call to action on the environment and urges President Donald Trump to return the United States to the Paris climate change agreement. Trump announced June 1, 2017, that the U.S. would withdraw from the agreement, which had been signed by every nation. With the withdrawal, the U.S. is the only country not party to the agreement. About 600 Catholic institutions had signed the declaration, said Dan Misleh, executive director of the Catholic Climate Covenant, which developed the statement and released it during a June 18 teleconference. Archdioceses and dioceses, colleges and universities, schools, health care institutions and religious communities are among the organizations that had signed the declaration. Cardinal Cupich also signed the document.
Mundelein first seminary to have solar array on campus If you wanted to start with an awful pun, you could say the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary has seen the light when it comes to solar power.
Pope says Vatican City will aim for net-zero carbon emissions Pope Francis pledged Vatican City State would achieve net-zero carbon emissions before the year 2050, and he urged everyone in the world to be part of a new culture of care for others and the planet.
Illinois bishops supporting clean energy legislation The bishops of the six Catholic dioceses of Illinois are putting their support behind state legislation aimed at expanding the use of clean energy and job training and opportunities for people from underserved communities.