Global Catholic Climate Movement

Dan Misleh was all set to study business and spend a lifetime in the secular world, until a college course about Catholic Social Teaching at Xavier University in the U.S. changed his life. Decades later, Misleh has spent his career working for social justice. He now serves as the founding executive director of the Catholic Climate Covenant. Misleh talks about how one of his sons opened his eyes to the need to care for creation, why the organization’s tagline has always been about more than...

Nancy Uelmen didn’t want to write another doom and gloom song about the climate crisis. Instead, the music director of Gen Verde wanted to help inspire our sisters and brothers around the world to realize that it’s not too late to change our ways and care for our common home. The result is the group’s new song, “Turn Around,” a hopeful and inspiring take on how all of us can unite and care for our common home. In the podcast, Nancy shares how Laudato Si', Pope Francis, and inspiring young...

Ahead of COP26, faith institutions worldwide are leading the way and showing the world that now is the time to commit to meaningful, long-term action for our common home. Dozens of faith institutions representing hundreds of millions of faithful have joined the new “Faith Long-Term Plans” initiative organized by FaithInvest, the International Network for Conservation and Religion, and the World Wildlife Fund’s Beliefs and Values Program. Dr. Lorna Gold, Director of Movement Building for...

With an eye on the 2021 Season of Creation, high-level Christian leaders from around the world share how the world's 2.3 billion Christians can work together to have a home for all, and how creation care unites Christians everywhere. Guests Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer, Executive for Theology, relating to Ecotheology at the Lutheran World Federation Fr. Joshtrom Isaac Kureethadam, Coordinator of the Sector of Ecology and Creation at the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human...

Six years ago this month, 17 organizations and 12 leaders from all continents came together to form the Global Catholic Climate Movement. Since then, with Laudato Si' as their guide, hundreds of thousands of Catholics and Christians have realized that their faith calls them to care for God's creation. GCCM's founding Board President Amy Echeverria shares her memories from this movement's beginnings, the moments that have stood out, and why places stick with her. GCCM's story:...

It's not easy to be hopeful all the time, but as Catholics and Christians we are called to create hope through our lives and our actions. Br. Benedict Ayodi, GCCM Programs Manager for Africa, talks about why we should be hopeful and how we all can create hope in our lives during 2021 and beyond. Read Br. Benedict's moving essay on maintaining hope during the COVID-19 pandemic that has been read by tens of thousands of people:...

Suzi Moreira of Brazil was studying theology as an undergraduate student when Pope Francis helped clarify her career path by releasing Laudato Si'. On the podcast, Moreira talks about growing up with a Franciscan spirituality, how Laudato Si' affected her, and why the body is the backbone of theology in Latin America.

Bishop Allwyn D'Silva is sometimes referred to as the "green bishop" by his friends and colleagues. But his ecological conversion took years and largely happened because of his friends and peers. In 2017, Pope Francis appointed Bishop D'Silva to become the Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Bombay, India (now called Mumbai). Bishop D'Silva is the former Executive Secretary of the Climate Change desk at the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).

Ariana Díaz Acuña, a Costa Rican theologian and former deputy director of the Laudato Si' Observatory at the Catholic University of Costa Rica, shares the story of her faith journey, including the many times she has worked in the Amazon and how those experiences have had a lasting effect on her. “They were always praying for water. I was like, ‘Why are they praying for water? I can’t understand this.’ Then I began to realize that they really need water to live and for the fruits of the...

GCCM Associate Director Christina Leaño leads this guided meditation to help you more deeply connect with God and creation. The November 2020 Team Retreat Day guide can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pb0O_3NoOEByt25fs06NAGQ8ARdFmFkikWUKiNBpPLo/edit

More and more Catholic and faith institutions are choosing to divest from fossil fuels to live out their values. Why are they divesting, and what does that mean exactly? Daniela Finamore, GCCM Divest-Invest & European Programs Coordinator, talks about the growing movement. More information about this week's divestment announcement: https://catholicclimatemovement.global/catholic-institutions-lead-the-way-in-largest-joint-divestment-from-fossil-fuels-en-news/

Facing long odds of success, how do you keep yourself spiritually full and hopeful? Sr. Mary John Mananzan, 83, has spent her life advocating for women and standing in solidarity with workers in the Philippines. In 2011, Women Deliver, a global advocacy group, named her one of the top 100 inspiring persons in the world. Sr. Mary John shared what has helped her 60-year career of activism, imparting countless lessons for Catholics and all people working against the climate crisis. "Your...

What does it mean to "vote Catholic"? How can Catholics vote for the care of creation? What does it mean to vote "pro-life"? In a special election-themed podcast, Father Jacek Orzechowski of the Franciscan Action Network and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (USA), and Roxana Bendezú of PAX Christi USA talk about voting Catholic. ----- Be sure to leave us a review! PAX Christi USA Statement of Principles: Election 2020:...

Ahead of the seventh anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, A.G. Saño of the Philippines talks about surviving the strongest storm to ever make landfall, why he works for climate justice, and why he still has hope. To learn more about A.G.'s story, go to catholicclimatemovement.global/blog. -- Follow Global Catholic Climate Movement on social media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Durante el reciente Tiempo de Creación, el Capítulo del MCMC Colombia realizó una lectura de la Laudato Si' en español. ¡Muchas gracias al capítulo de Colombia! Compartimos su lectura, como un recurso al que pueden utilizar las veces que sea necesario.

How is Pope Francis' third encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, related to Laudato Si'? Fr. Augusto Zampini, adjunct secretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, speaks with Dr. Lorna Gold, director of movement building at FaithInvest.

How should we care for creation? Capuchin Br. Benedict Ayodi, Global Catholic Climate Movement Program Manager for Africa, answers those questions and talks about following St. Francis' example at all times, even while running away from lions.

In our first episode, we introduce ourselves, the Global Catholic Climate Movement. GCCM was founded in 2015 and works to bring to life Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si'. Tomás Insua, co-founder and executive director of GCCM, and Anna Wagner, director of network engagement for GCCM, talk about what they love about this work and what the ongoing Season of Creation means to this movement.