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CAFOD

Laudato Si' and the notion of the common good

24 May 2023
Pope Francis

Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si’ was published in 2015

Pope Francis' Laudato Si’ encyclical was initially thought of as his ‘environmental letter’ about climate change. But as our understanding has grown, we recognise that it is so much more than that.

Across Latin America, indigenous communities have always had a close connection to ‘Mother Earth’ - recognising that by looking after our planet we are looking after ourselves too.

Our common home is everything

In Bolivia, CAFOD supports Caritas Bolivia to work with indigenous rural communities who are suffering rights abuses relating to their land and territories, using Laudato Si’ as its guiding compass.

The implications of the encyclical have profoundly changed the way Caritas Bolivia works, creating its ‘integral ecology’ social ministry team, not just promoting people’s rights, but also promoting care for our common home.

Mario and Violeta, staff members from Caritas Bolivia, shared with us their reflections.

Violeta says: “We understand that our common home does not just mean the environment – it’s everything: interpersonal relationships, our relationship with the common good, with the economy, with politics. We’re like guardians, like administrators of all of these gifts the Lord has given us. That’s how to understand integral ecology: respect, working as a community, working together with these gifts.”

Latin America - Bolivia - Violeta

Violeta works for Caritas Bolivia

We understand that our common home does not just mean the environment – it’s everything: interpersonal relationships, our relationship with the common good, with the economy, with politics

Violeta, Caritas Bolivia

The common good is rooted in the cultures of indigenous peoples

Mario adds: “I’d like to thank CAFOD – our work together has allowed us to strengthen our commitment to Our Common Home – strengthen Caritas Bolivia’s ecological ministry.”

He goes on to say, “One of the precepts of Catholic Social Teaching is the notion of the common good – common ownership. This is rooted in the cultures of indigenous peoples. In their own practices and customs, they have a concept of living as a family, sharing things in common. Benefit isn’t individual, it’s for all.

"Indigenous peoples are defenders of life more than anything. They don’t act for their own good, but for everyone’s good. They just want to live in peace.”

Latin America - Bolivia - Mario

Mario works for Caritas Bolivia