What do climate crisis, care for the earth and biodiversity have to do with parishes?
The answer is “much more than we may think”!
Local parishes and faith communities in three neighbouring dioceses are sending representatives to a conference taking place in Cork this month to tease out this question.
But they won’t be the first catholics talking about connecting faith and nature.
As long ago as the 13th century, St. Francis of Assisi composed a prayer called the Canticle of the Creatures, which glorifies God through natural elements like the sun, wind, earth and water.
St. Francis also included in his prayers and writings the phrase “Praise be to you, my Lord”.
In 2015, Pope Francis published his second official papal letter and he entitled it “Laudato Sí” (Praise to you – in Italian).
Now with the support of Trócaire, the dioceses of Cork and Ross, Cloyne and Waterford and Lismore are inviting their parishioners from 180 parishes to take up the challenges arising from our care for the earth and to see how parishes may act on the message of Pope Francis.
There will be 3 speakers in the morning and workshops in the afternoon
Bishop Martin Hayes will speak on the calls of ‘Laudato Si’, followed by Sr. Colette Kane OP on the connections between ecology, theology and spirituality. Barry O’Loughlin, Biodiversity Officer for County Clare, will share on his work with 27 parishes to return 30% of church grounds to nature by 2030.
The afternoon workshops will offer practical ideas for parish action, covering eco-spirituality, the Eco-Parish Award, Havens for Nature -- supporting biodiversity in faith communities and the Fossil Fuel Treaty. A marketplace of organisations and resources will help participants explore further opportunities to put ‘Laudato Si’ into practice at the grassroots.
The conference takes place on Saturday, 21 November 2026, from 10am to 4pm at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Tivoli, Cork, T23 E244.
Places are limited and registration is essential. (A €10 donation is suggested.)
To register, contact Maria Murphy
