Friar Paul Lininger, OFM Conv, director of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPIC) of Our Lady of the Angels Province, and Friar Cristofer Fernández, OFM Conv., who also serves on JPIC, were among the attendees at Siena College’s Laudato Sí Integral-Ecology Symposium in Albany, N.Y., Oct. 10-11. Laudato Si’ is an encyclical of Pope Francis published in May 2015. It focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship between God, humans, and the Earth. The encyclical’s subtitle, “Care for Our Common Home,” reinforces these key themes.

During the conference, Friar Cristofer and Gabriela Martinez (pictured below) from the Franciscan Action Network presented, “Integral Ecology: A Franciscan Response to the Cry of the Poor and of The Planet,” addressing the importance of young people engaging the issues of climate change.

U.N. Secretary General António Guterres delivered the keynote address, “Global Perspectives on the Climate Crisis and Urgency to Act Now.” He noted St. Francis and the Holy Father in his recorded remarks: “The patron saint of ecology has much to teach us about making peace with nature. So, of course, does Pope Francis. Including through his inspiring 2015 encyclical Laudato Sí, after which this Center is named. Pope Francis tells us that, ‘When we exploit creation, we destroy the sign of God’s love for us.’ He reminded us that human beings are “custodians” of this creation, not masters of it.

“We must stop intentionally destroying our natural world and its gifts. We must protect people from the destruction we have unleashed.  We must deliver climate justice for the vulnerable. And, crucially, we must limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius – as countries agreed to do in the landmark international climate pact – the Paris Agreement,” the secretary general said.