Brussels, 5th June 2025, Environment Day – To mark the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSiA) hosted a powerful Day of Reflection at the COMECE building in Brussels under the theme “Cry Earth, Cry Poor”. With Dr Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, leading the keynote and expert dialogues, the event brought together Catholic organisations, EU policymakers, and civil society voices to reflect on how ecological conversion can—and must—shape Europe’s future.
A Movement Grown in Silence
Reflecting on the journey since Laudato Si’ was published in 2015, Dr Lorna Gold opened her keynote with a deeply personal perspective. “Ten years ago, the Laudato Si’ Movement didn’t exist. It was just an idea,” she said. “Today, it’s a vast network—20,000 local leaders, 400 affiliated Catholic organisations, and millions of people inspired to act.”
Yet this movement extends far beyond logos and platforms. Invoking an Indigenous proverb: “When a tree falls it makes a great crash, but a forest grows in silence”, she said, “We’re talking about an ecosystem of initiatives… a forest that has grown largely in silence,” She celebrated the growing impact of initiatives like the Laudato Si’ Action Platform—now joined by over 5,000 Catholic institutions—as well as “The Letter”, a film featuring Pope Francis which has been shown countless times including to over 1.5 million youth at the World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023.
Bridging Moral Vision and Policy
Gold emphasized that Laudato Si’ has not only inspired grassroots action but opened up a global conversation about the moral and ethical foundations of climate justice. “We are not faced with two separate crises—one environmental and one social—but rather one complex crisis that is both social and environmental,” she said, quoting Pope Francis. This insight, she argued, is crucial for Europe as it grapples with growing inequality and ecological breakdown.
In this light, she warned of the “temptation to delay action” through unproven market-based measures like carbon credits, and highlighted worrying signs that the EU might reduce its climate ambitions ahead of COP30. “We need to publish an ambitious NDC—to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040,” Gold urged. “This commitment is not just technical—it’s a moral signal to the world.”
She stressed the need for Europe to lead by example: “As Laudato Si’ says, the global North must be prepared to move first and fastest so that those with less capacity can be protected… though they are not protected at all today.”
A Decade Behind, A Decade Ahead
Despite the sobering political and ecological realities, Gold’s message was ultimately one of hope. “So much has been achieved in ten short years,” she said. “If Laudato Si’ has taken root this far, imagine what the next ten could bring.” She called for “radical collaborations” that move all involved out of their comfort zones—“deeper relationships of cooperation” like those embodied in the ELSiA network.
She closed with a memory from the filming of The Letter, when Pope Francis addressed a room full of scientists, indigenous leaders, young people and interfaith voices: “Unity today means working together to save our Mother Earth.”
Food, Energy, and Policy for the People
The Day of Reflection unfolded through two expert panels. The first, moderated by COMECE’s Johannes Moravitz, explored sustainable food systems. The discussion emphasized a shift away from fossil-dependent subsidies and the urgency of food systems that place nutrition and ecological health over short-term profit. MEP Manuela Ripa noted, “You, as Church, we need your help. Our world is changing rapidly & we need everyone on board; without collective effort, meaningful change simply won’t happen.” Manuela noted that the situation is urgent as we are already over 1.5 degrees of global warming and moving towards 3 degree.
The second panel, moderated by CIDSE’s Josianne Gauthier, focused on the just energy transition. Philippe Lamberts, Advisor to the European Commission Presidency, stressed: “The EU is determined to continue with the energy transition. We are not giving up on this.” He highlighted the need for just taxation and social protections to ensure no one is left behind. Speakers emphasized that Europe must conduct an “ethical stocktake”—a global moral inventory to guide realignment with ecological limits.
From Reflection to Action
The event also showcased eco-praxis in action, including a best-practice project at the Trappist Abbey in Brecht, presented by the Belgian Eco-Kerk network. It reinforced the ELSiA Alliance’s role not only as a convener but as a catalyst—an ecosystem of faith-based actors committed to making Europe’s green transition socially just.
As Dr Silverio summed up in the final remarks: “This gathering is only the starting point—for deeper dialogue, for unified political will, and for actions that heal our earth and uplift the poor.”
A Time to Act
On this 10th anniversary, ELSiA didn’t merely commemorate—it called for renewed commitment. With the next EU legislative cycle looming and COP30 on the horizon, the message is clear: there is no turning back. As Dr Lorna Gold reminded us, “Nature is not waiting for our political discussions and debates to happen.”
For those moved by the call to integral ecology, this is a moment to act—faithfully, boldly, and together.
Watch the full event: https://youtube.com/live/JoOpZRuhGq0?feature=share