Archbishop Borys Gudziak Addresses U.S. Bishops on Integral Ecology and 10 Years of Laudato Si’

November 15, 2024

Baltimore, MD — At the Plenary Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on November 13, 2024, Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia joined Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon in commemorating the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si’. Their presentation highlighted the Church's ongoing commitment to ecological justice and sustainable development.

During the assembly, the bishops discussed ways to deepen the integration of Laudato Si’—Pope Francis's groundbreaking 2015 encyclical on care for creation—into Church life at both local and national levels. Archbishop Gudziak emphasized the central role of evangelization in promoting what Pope Francis calls "integral ecology."

“We must accept evangelization as the framework, or hermeneutical key, for integral ecology,” the Archbishop stated. “This is evident in the triptych of Laudato Si’, Fratelli Tutti, and the Pope’s latest encyclical, Dilexit Nos. In Laudato Si’, the Holy Father offers a comprehensive vision of the common good, rooted in care for our common home.”

Archbishop Gudziak also drew attention to the ecological awareness of young people, particularly those who are religiously disaffiliated or unaffiliated. He noted that environmental concerns resonate deeply with youth, offering a unique path for dialogue and engagement.

“Care for creation speaks to both the path of justice and the path of beauty,” he said. “Young people recognize the environment’s importance for themselves and for future generations. Religious or not, their engagement demonstrates an innate sense of the dignity of life and creation. We are blessed with a generation passionate about the future of life on our planet.”

Remarks of Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan

Photo by OSV News photo/Bob Roller