The Diocese of Lexington has developed an ambitious plan to make all of its buildings net-zero by 2030 because, it noted, as Scripture says: “The earth and all in it belongs to God.” The plan includes all buildings of the 59 parishes in the diocese, spanning over 50 counties in central and eastern Kentucky.
The plan is a direct response to Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ (“On Care for Our Common Home”), which called on the global Catholic Church to engage in dialogue about the future of the planet. Within the writings, Pope Francis urged the Church to acknowledge environmental challenges.
The diocese was inspired by Laudato Si’ No. 217, which says “living our vocation as protectors of God’s handiwork is a life of virtue,” Josh Van Cleef, director of the Office of Peace and Justice for the diocese, told CNA. “It is not a secondary dimension of Christian life.”
The Diocese of Lexington’s plans stem from the seven goals of Laudato Si’, which include response to the cry of the earth, response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adoption of sustainable lifestyles, ecological education, ecological spirituality, and community resilience and empowerment.
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