Ellis - SELP Presentation

1. The Power
of the Faith
Message
Lonnie Ellis, OFS

2. The Power of the Faith Message
1) Evidence That It’s Working
2) Thinking About Pope Francis’ Encyclical
3) How the Catholic Church is Acting
4) Brief Tips for You

3. 1) Evidence: The Catholic Church Is Making Wa
ves
70% Public acceptance of climate change hit 70% this fall.
Yale and George Mason U. study:
• 1 in 6 Americans and 1 in 3 Catholics reported Pope Francis influenced their
views on climate (17% and 35%, respectively)
• Authors cited the 7 press events by Catholic Climate Covenant and our
grassroots outreach as important factors.

4. 1) Evidence: The Catholic Church Is Making Wa
ves
70% Public acceptance of climate change hit 70% this fall.
Yale and George Mason U. study:
• 1 in 6 Americans and 1 in 3 Catholics reported Pope Francis influenced their
views on climate (17% and 35%, respectively)
• Authors cited the 7 press events by Catholic Climate Covenant and our
grassroots outreach as important factors.
U. of Michigan/Muhlenberg
College:
• Similarly, 15% reported that Pope
Francis influenced their views.
• 75% of Americans agreed that “Rich
countries like the US have a moral
obligation to show international
leadership by reducing their
greenhouse gas emissions.” Up from

5. Its All About the Messenger
YouGov/Faith in Public Life study:

6. Its All About the Messenger
YouGov/Faith in Public Life study:
• 10% jump in belief in climate change from Catholic Republicans (from 27%
to 37%).

7. Its All About the Messenger
YouGov/Faith in Public Life study:
• 10% jump in belief in climate change from Catholic Republicans (from 27%
to 37%).

8. Its All About the Messenger
YouGov/Faith in Public Life study:
• 10% jump in belief in climate change from Catholic Republicans (from 27%
to 37%).

9. 2) Thinking about Laudato Si’
• Follows the model of See, Judge, Act
• Pope speaking as a Faith Leader, not as a Scientist or Political Leader

10. See:
The Catholic Perspective Focuses on the Impact on Peo
ple

15. Judge:
“We know that technology based on the use of highly
polluting
fossil fuels – especially coal, but also oil and, to a lesser
degree, gas – needs to be progressively replaced without
delay. Until greater progress is made in developing widely
accessible sources of renewable energy, it is legitimate to
choose the less harmful alternative or to find short-term
solutions.”
(LS, paragraph 165)

16. Judge:
“We lack an awareness of our common origin, of our mutual
belonging, and of a future to be shared with everyone. This
basic awareness would enable the development of new
convictions, attitudes and forms of life. A great cultural,
spiritual and educational challenge stands before us, and it
will demand that we set out on the long path of renewal.”
(202)

18. “Civic and Political Love”
“We must regain the conviction that we need one another,
that we have a shared responsibility for others and the
world, and that being good and decent are worth it.” (229)
“All it takes is one good person to restore hope!” (71)
“Injustice is not invincible” (74)

19. Laudato Si’ Spirituality:
Simpler yet fuller lives
“Christian spirituality proposes an alternative understanding
of the quality of life, and encourages a prophetic and
contemplative lifestyle, one capable of deep enjoyment free
of the obsession with consumption. We need to take up an
ancient lesson, found in different religious traditions and
also in the Bible. It is the conviction that “less is more.”
…

20. Laudato Si’ Spirituality:
Simpler yet fuller lives
“A constant flood of new consumer goods can baffle the
heart and prevent us from cherishing each thing and each
moment. To be serenely present to each reality, however
small it may be, opens us to much greater horizons of
understanding and personal fulfilment. Christian spirituality
proposes a growth marked by moderation and the capacity
to be happy with little. It is a return to that simplicity which
allows us to stop and appreciate the small things, to be
grateful for the opportunities which life affords us, to be
spiritually detached from what we possess, and not to
succumb to sadness for what we lack.”
(222)

21. Honesty and Openne
ss
Urgenc
y
3) How the Catholic Church is Acting
Pope is calling for dialogue and solutions

22. Act:
Educate
Live Sustainably
Advocate

23. Educate:
www.catholicclimatecovenant.org

24. Live Sustainably:
www.catholicclimatecovenant.org

25. Tools
catholicclimatecovenant.org/act
Creation Care Teams
• Resources to recruit team
members
• Tools for education
• Hands-on activities
• Inspiration and reflection
Feast of St. Francis Educational
Program
• Reflection on living our faith
• Hands-on activities
• Advocacy

26. Advocate in the Public Arena

27. The Public Voice of the Church

28. The Public Voice of the Church
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
(prayer from Laudato Si’)

29. 4) Tips
A) Be relationship-oriented and not program-orient
ed.

30. 4) Tips
A) Be relationship-oriented and not program-orient
ed.
B) Consider silent partnerships vs. public partners
hips.

31. 4) Tips
A) Be relationship-oriented and not program-orient
ed.
B) Consider silent partnerships vs. public partners
hips.
C) Be patient and work with long time frames.

32. Go Get ‘Em!

33. Interfaith Power & Light affiliates in 40 states are working with over 15,000
religious communities of all faith traditions to respond to climate change.
Through IPL, faith communities are educating about climate change,
going green in their facilities, and speaking out for Creation locally and
nationally.
InterfaithPowerandLight.org/YourState