Archdiocesan Leaders Echo Pope Francis’s Call to Care for Creation

Volunteers at St. John Newmann Catholic Church - photo courtsey of Susan Varlamoff

In the wake of Pope Francis’s passing, Catholic leaders across Georgia are deepening their commitment to care for our common home—a call central to his papacy and to the Church’s broader mission of ecological conversion.

A recent WSB-TV feature highlighted the work of several metro Atlanta parishes including St. John Newmann responding to the Holy Father’s call by launching sustainability initiatives and educational efforts within their communities. From solar panel installations to parish gardens and energy audits, these faithful actions are tangible expressions of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’s encyclical that challenges us as a moral imperative to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” As Kat Doyle shared,

“Our faith calls for us, for creation to be good stewards of this planet that gives us life and supports us.”

These efforts are not only local but part of a growing, global movement. In a recent op-ed published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, local Catholic leaders including Bishop Joel M. Konzen, Susna Varlamoff, and Steve Valk reflected on Pope Francis’s legacy, underscoring how environmental action is grounded in the Gospel and the dignity of every human person. The authors write:

“Pope Francis asks us, “What kind of world do we want to leave our children?” This is both a moral compass and a practical guide. The question is no longer if we should act, but how quickly we will answer the call. His legacy is not just in words, it is in action; and that action starts with us.”

At Encounter GA, we are proud to stand alongside the parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations working to turn this call into action here in Georgia. Whether it’s through advocacy at the state level, workshops in parishes, or support for renewable energy and conservation efforts, we continue to draw inspiration from Pope Francis’s vision of an integral ecology—one that honors both people and planet.

Let us continue this work with renewed hope, faith, and determination. As Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Si’, “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.” May we be faithful to that vocation now more than ever.