Programs to honor encyclical are planned at parishes around the Diocese of Knoxville By The East Tennessee Catholic “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Catholics around the world are marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical, Laudato Si’, which was released to the public in May 2015. Pope Francis, who died on April 21, expressed Church teaching on caring for God’s creation in the encyclical letter that also was heavily influenced by St. Francis of Assisi. The encyclical gave rise to a number of care-for-creation lay ministries in the Diocese of Knoxville that actively follow the tenets of Laudato Si’. The encyclical focuses on care for the natural environment and all people, as well as broader questions of the relationship among God, humans, and the earth. The encyclical’s subtitle, “Care for Our Common Home,” reinforces... Read more →