SAN DIEGO — The Vatican’s Dicastery for Integral Human Development recognized the Diocese of San Diego with a “Laudato Si” Action Platform certificate of completion last December.
While this marks our third year participating in the online platform, the certificate program is a new initiative, launched last spring. The year 2025 was our first year to document our actions formally in response to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. And we could not have done it without all of you.
‘Laudato Si’ action platform
The diocese enrolled in the “Laudato Si” Action Platform in the summer of 2022, becoming one of the first U.S. dioceses to participate in the program, which opened on Nov. 14, 2021, the World Day of the Poor. After studying the process and reflecting on our efforts to care for our common home, the Creation Care Advisory Committee engaged with the diocese’s Pastoral Center staff to develop our first “Laudato Si” Action Plan.
After Cardinal Robert W. McElroy approved it, we posted our plan to the platform in the summer of 2023. Aligned to the seven goals of “Laudato Si,” our actions included reduction of single-use plastics in the Pastoral Center, divestment of fossil fuels, and the provision of reusable bags to the Misericordia food distribution efforts.
Our second plan was submitted to the platform in 2024, inspired by Pope Francis’ words in his exhortation, “Laudate Deum”: “If the universe unfolds in God, who fills it completely … there is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a mountain trail, in a dewdrop, in a poor person’s face. The world sings of an infinite Love: How can we fail to care for it?”
This plan committed us to continuing our tree-planting program, offering free trees to schools and parishes at our annual Feast of St. Francis Trees, Peace, and All Goodness Festival. In the past three years, the Creation Care Team has given away well over 200 trees, almost all of which have been grown from seedlings by the team.
Another major effort in our plan was to map the environmental and climate vulnerability of our diocesan region, determining where impacts and degradation are the most significant and where community capacity to adapt to those impacts and recover from them are most challenged — exhibiting resilience.
Using data from the state of California, we recognized the Imperial Valley and our South Bay as our most vulnerable areas where we should focus our attention to reduce hazards, such as poor air quality and water toxicity.
Our Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation to the Salton Sea, another action in our 2024 plan, raised awareness of environmental vulnerability in the Imperial Valley and promoted resilience in a place where it is most needed.
New certification program
Our third diocesan plan, the first under Bishop Michael Pham, was posted to the platform last December to complete this year’s certificate program.
We are excited to share that our 2026 commitment in response to the cry of the earth is to transform the diocese’s Pastoral Center grounds into a Saint Kateri Habitat. To receive this designation, we must include a religious expression as well as at least two of the following elements on our property:
- Food, water, cover, and space for people and wildlife
- Native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers
- Ecosystem services
- Clean, renewable energy and sustainable practices
- Sacred and sacramental places
We invite all parishes and schools to join us in taking this action. For any parish or school in their first year of participation, completion begins with enrollment. We are proud to share that 11 parishes and two high schools have already enrolled. The next steps are to make a public pledge, collectively reflect on your values and activities, and review the “Laudato Si” Action Platform-suggested actions before making your first plan. Visit the platform at www.laudatosiactionplatform.org to learn more.
With three full years of participation under our belt, the Creation Care Ministry can help. An introductory workshop at the diocesan Pastoral Center at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, is a great way to get started. Register for this free class at bit.ly/CCIntro2026.
If you can’t make that date, contact Christina Slentz at cslentz@sdcatholic.org for a one-on-one visit to your school or parish. For an overview of our SDCatholic Pathway to “Laudato Si” Action, go to https://sdcatholic.org/life-peace-and-justice/care-for-creation.
