In this guest article, Virginia Bell finds out from fellow UK Laudato Si’ Animators how their Ecological Conversions are progressing.
May 2025, Laudato Si’ Week 24th-31st & 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’ Encyclical
How have the UK Animators’ Ecological Conversions Progressed?
Though Pope Francis has died, his legacy of calling for the care of Our Common Home, most particularly through his 2015 Encyclical Laudato Si’, remains with us. In it, he called on all the faithful, indeed all people, to undergo an ecological conversion as a crucial step in tackling the environmental problems facing the planet.
In August 2023, the Laudato Si’ Animators took time to consider how they were embracing their ecological conversions, https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/47855
The Animators are those people, mainly Catholics, who have completed the online Course provided by Laudato Si’ Movement to educate and inspire action to tackle the environmental crises, under the umbrella of the Laudato Si’ Encyclical. We are more determined than ever that Pope Francis’ legacy thrives.
I felt that the time was right, it being the 10th Anniversary of the Laudato Si’ Encyclical this May 24th, to reprise our individual conversions. Have we kept to our commitments? Have we added to them? Has our conversion grown, has it diminished?
From the responses I have received from the Animators, it’s clear that there are many views that we all share, for instance using green energy, reducing meat and dairy consumption, recycling and living simply. Also, we all see protection of the natural environment as a duty, not an option, in accord with Laudato Si’ – “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience”. LS 217
Sean, from Clifton Diocese, is enthusiastically enjoying nature, using photography to capture images that show the natural world. He is also very much hands on in his actions, being active in supporting rewilding projects set up by Avon Wildlife Trust, and by the Hazelnut Community, a Christian organisation which encourages ecologically sustainable use of church land:
https://hazelnutcommunityfarm.com/about-us/project-three-8zgh7-5aemc
He also has his own bit of Earth – his allotment – to which he enjoys bringing Laudato Si’ principles.
Peter from Nottingham Diocese is very conscious of the hypocrisy of those who live an indulgent lifestyle and at the same time contribute to aid for those who suffer from the effects of those lifestyles. He believes in tackling root causes, rather than ‘mopping up’. He has continued his actions of reducing energy use, switching to renewable energy and enjoying vegan meals. He has increased his campaigning for environmental justice, with greater participation in environmental events, marches and demonstrations. He continues with the Coop as his bank, and now uses Triodos for investments. Despite knowing that much more needs to be done to tackle the root causes of environmental breakdown, he feels that “even if the most effective changes – drastic and immediate – can only be achieved from the top, ultimately the most meaningful changes actually start from the bottom: self.” And “our salvation process starts in the here and now…our efforts for temporal salvation through creation care – not only for our sister and brother humans but also for our sister and brother all-creatures on earth, our natural environment and the whole cosmos – can be our ticket to eternal salvation”.
Linda from Liverpool Diocese also has been very busy, and found that through action, her ecological conversion has progressed. She has helped to established Care for Creation groups in parishes in the Diocese, and in her own parish group she grows vegetables, flowers for the church (“to avoid the unacceptable carbon footprint associated with imported flowers”) and wildflowers. Her group also educates the parishioners on the life changes needed to tackle environmental breakdown.
Ian from Southwark Diocese sees a rejection of consumerism as the way forward. Instead of seeing status in the accumulation of possessions, he wants ‘live simply’ to be the watchword. He realises that it takes courage to embrace a simple lifestyle, and welcomes support and encouragement from our spiritual leaders.
Brian from Clifton Diocese finds his time and energy are very much occupied caring for his wife, yet he has been able to establish a Care for Our Common Home Group in his Filton parish, with an impressive website. Having moved from Filton to Swindon, he intends to do the same in his new parish, despite having medical issues of his own. Over the past 2-3 years, he has moved more to a vegetarian diet and lives as simply as possible, especially regarding not buying what he does not need and recycling any excess. A lot of books have gone to OXFAM. He now intends to offset his carbon footprint.
Isabella in Clifton Diocese had always been saddened by the way pollution was harming the planet, so was delighted at the publication of Laudato Si “because it linked the cry of the earth with the cry of the poor and urged rapid action from all”. The urgency became greater as time went on, so she was very happy to discover the Laudato Si’ Animators. They united her concern for the planet with her concern for social justice, while still embracing appreciation for the wonders of creation, and all within the aegis of her Faith.
Ann in Portsmouth Diocese became aware of global environmental problems through her OU studies years ago, but it wasn’t until she joined with other like-minded Catholics that her campaigning properly took off. Laudato Si’ is now a very important part of her life. Ann’s family has switched from an oil to an electric boiler, and her parish group is working towards the CAFOD Live Simply Award. Her commitment to be more aware of consumption in all areas of life has grown, as has her commitment to action, because though Pope Francis’ death is very sad, she feels that it should spur us to further action – “we need to continue where he left off”.
My eco-conversion has neither diminished nor increased, I don’t think. I am still disappointed that our bishops do not promote a vegan lifestyle, but I have found that environmental action is the best cure for environmental depression, and indeed that action is the best way of enhancing and progressing one’s ecological conversion. I still constantly challenge unsustainable food offerings at events in my parish, despite being pretty much ignored!
Pope Francis has left us a precious legacy in his Laudato Si’ Encyclical, and it is up to all people who care about the health of Our Common Home to ensure that this legacy of his continues to inspire, and that it is not the last word, but only the beginning.
V Bell, Laudato Si’ Animators UK, May 2025.
Living Laudato Si' 