Diocesan Leadership Summit Guides Environmental Stewardship

On January 27-28, 19 diocesan-appointed staff members from across the country gathered for a Diocesan Leadership Summit at the headquarters of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Washington, DC. The goal of the Summit was to deepen participant understanding of how to implement Laudato Si’ within their dioceses and guide them in preparing an action plan. The Summit represents a new coordinated response to Laudato Si', a 2015 encyclical letter by Pope Francis dedicated to "care for our common home."

This was the first Laudato Si Leadership Cohort of this program, which has been designed to support American dioceses in assessing their unique local contexts and discerning how best to respond to the call of Laudato Si’ through concrete, mission-aligned action. Following the Summit, the representatives will continue meeting monthly and will work with a mentor for individualized guidance and support. Mentors are drawn from the leadership team at USCCB, diocesan staff with significant experience developing Laudato Si’ Action Plans, and content experts from Catholic Climate Covenant, and the Laudato Si' Movement. 

Crimsonbridge Foundation's Partner for Sustainability and Stewardship, Bill Reig, attended alongside USCCB staff, representatives and supporters from Catholic Extension, FADICA Catholic Philanthropy Network, the Laudato Si' Movement, and others who continue to inspire innovation and action, such as Monsignor Robert J. Vitillo and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

"The convening created a space to hear directly from diocesan leaders about what truly moves their communities," said Bill Reig. "Our key takeaway? Transformation happens through relationships built around shared goals—in this case, caring for our common home."