CHARLOTTE — There is one thing for certain, Pope Francis' latest encyclical "Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home" is causing a lot of discussion and awareness of how every person can affect the environment.
In the third of five presentations hosted by Catholic Charities' Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy, presenters Matthew Burkhart and Sam Perkins spoke Oct. 5 about the pope's encyclical and what actions people can take to make a difference on a global and local level. Their presentation at St. Peter Church was entitled "From Stewardship of Our Local Catawba River to a Justice Vision of Global Fresh Water Usage."
Matthew Burkhart, advocacy relationship manager for the southeast regional office of Catholic Relief Services, spoke first about Laudato Si' and climate change and its effects on the poorest countries, as well as how CRS works to find solutions for vulnerable populations.
He shared the "Top Ten Takeaways from Laudato Si'" compiled by Jesuit Father James Martin and published in America Magazine last June.
Burkhart reviewed the impacts of environmental degradation: rising temperatures, increasing storms, destruction of homes, severe drought, poor crops and withered growth. He also touched on how we need to adapt to climate change and work to prevent its causes when possible.
He gave examples of how devastating storms and water crises in places like the Philippines and Bangladesh have changed how CRS works with local communities, so that in times of disaster and drought the people in need may still have access to clean drinking water or plant crops and sustain their food supplies.
Sam Perkins of the Catawba River Keeper Foundation gave a presentation on how climate change, precipitation, runoff and energy consumption impacts people in western North Carolina. He shared historical information about the Catawba River Basin and how land use and explosive growth in the region have impacted the water supply over the past century.
The Catawba River Keeper Foundation oversees 5,000 square miles of the Catawba River Basin. There are about 2 million people in this densely-populated area, and that means high demand for water and a lot of waste.
"We (the Catawba River Basin) have been set up to be the most endangered river in America," he explains, based on how the river has been used and misused in recent years.
Our local water resources must be better protected, he said, so that communities can continue to grow and develop sustainably.
Burkhart hopes that those in attendance take away a few things from the presentation.
"As Catholics, we are all called to care for creation," he said. He also hopes people remember that the U.S. Catholic Church through CRS is responding to the needs of the poor and the vulnerable around the world who are affected by climate change.
"Catholics and others of goodwill are invited to participate in that work through prayer, learning and action. There are many ways parishes, schools and ministries can respond to the pope's call in Laudato Si' to care for creation and care for the poor and vulnerable," he said, noting that there are many resources available through CRS, Catholic Charities and others. "All are called to participate – not just a select few – and through that participation our faith is strengthened, the sacraments take on a deeper meaning and we walk closer with Jesus."
Joe Purello, director of Catholic Charities' Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy, organized the presentation.
"Pope Francis and before him, Pope Benedict, have emphasized access to safe, drinkable water as a basic human right," Purello said. "This right is given emphasis in Laudato Si'. So I must ask myself, 'how am I helping to ensure that this human right is promoted and protected?'"
Purello noted that this presentation gave attendees, blessed to live in areas with good access to water resources, a look at life in areas without such access.
"Matt's images of places around the world where people go through great effort to capture every drop of rain were very eye-opening. Then we heard Sam share just how fragile is our access to clean water here in the Carolinas," he noted.
"Our local water resources, while plentiful in comparison to many other places, are under great strain from over-usage and contamination. We have an obligation to protect this resource, not only for our health and well-being, but also for the generations to come."
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Resources available on Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si'
Laudato Si' is the appeal from Pope Francis addressed to "every person living on this planet" for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. These upcoming events offer opportunities to learn more about this encyclical and Church teaching on the environment:
— 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Curtin Hall, on the Sisters of Mercy campus, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont: "Implementing Pope Francis's Call to Care for Creation in Laudato Si' – Theological, Spiritual, and Practical Insights" presentations by Father Frank Cancro, pastor of Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, and Mercy Sister Rose Marie Tresp, director of justice for the Sisters of Mercy South Central Community. This presentation and workshop will prepare attendees to be "faithful engagers" in homes, parishes and communities to share the message of Laudato Si'. Lunch provided. The event, cosponsored by Catholic Charities and the Sisters of Mercy, is free but you must register by Wednesday, Oct. 21, to attend. Call 704-370-3225 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, Good Shepherd Mission in King: "Being Good Stewards of God's Creation – Pope Francis' Call to Global Solidarity." The program will follow the 6 p.m. Mass. It is free, but RSVPs are requested to 704-370-3225 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
More online
At www.ccdoc.org: Find resources and a link to the full text of Laudato Si', and more details about the events listed above
At www.catholicclimatecovenant.org:Learn more about Catholic teaching on the environment