Praised Be:  On the Care of Our Common Home, the name of the encyclical on ecology issued by Pope Francis on Thursday, borrows the language of his namesake.   But it is much more than just a celebration of God's creation.  It is a bold call to action, and "ecological conversion," addressed "to all people who inhabit this planet." The boldness of his language highlights the seriousness with which he takes the issue of environmental sustainability and climate change. The encyclical was deliberately timed as part of the global conversation leading up to the UN Climate Change Negotiations in Paris this December. 

As the most visible leader within the global Christian Community Pope Francis has framed environmental sustainability and climate change as urgent moral issues.  Drawing deeply from the wells of scientific consensus and the broad Christian tradition he describes the "intimate relation between the poor and the fragility of the planet" so that the necessity of robust action on climate change is a matter of justice. Be Praised... is the first encyclical on the environment in the history of the Catholic Church which is certainly one reason it is getting so much attention.  But it also does not shy away from strong prophetic challenges to current patterns of consumption, greed, and the "lack of political will...to reach truly meaningful and effective global agreements," which will, no doubt, be perceived by some as controversial. 

The encyclical is worth serious consideration by all Christians and might be used as the basis for study in congregations. The Central Maryland Ecumenical Council, of which the Presbytery of Baltimore is a member, through its Board and the Ecumenical Leaders, has urged churches throughout Maryland to make Environmental Sustainability and Stewardship a focus this year and beyond. Some of our own congregations have already become PCUSA Earth Care Congregations.  Ecumenical and Interfaith organizations such as Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, Interfaith Power and Light and GreenFaith all offer a wealth of resources for engaging in this work and providing moral leadership in the world at this critical moment in history. 

Rev. Mary Gaut , pastor of Maryland Presbyterian Church , is a board member of the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council (CMEC) and a member of the Sustainability Task force for the Ecumenical Leaders Group of CMEC.