Advocacy for our �Common Home
Using the See-Judge-Act model for parishes �to lead in advocacy for Care of Creation
Opening Prayer
All-powerful God,
you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect your creation.
Fill us with peace,
that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
God of the poor,
help us care for those forgotten and abandoned,
so precious in your eyes.
May we protect the world and not prey on it,
sowing beauty, not destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who seek gain
at the cost of the earth and the vulnerable.
Teach us to see the worth of each living thing,
to walk gently with all creation,
and to strive for justice, love, and peace.
God of justice,
give us the courage to raise our voices on behalf of your creation
and the wisdom to advocate with love and truth.
Guide our efforts to shape policies rooted in the common good.
Help us work not for power, but for protection—
of the earth, of the poor, and of future generations.
May our advocacy reflect your mercy and your vision for a just world.
Amen. (Adapted from Laudato Si)
Who We Are: Encounter GA
Encounter GA is a non-partisan and faith-based Catholic advocacy organization building relationships with legislators to support climate solutions for Georgia and beyond.
We are the Georgia Chapter of the Catholic Climate Covenant's Encounter for Our Common Home campaign.
We are the Advocacy Wing of the Laudato Si’ Initiative of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Learn more at www.encounterga.org
Why Advocacy? �Why now?
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the bids of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” - Genesis 1:28
Dominion comes from the Hebrew word “radah”, which emphasizes stewardship and responsibility.
In Laudato Si, Pope Francis argues harmony between God, humanity, and creation was broken when we tried to take God’s place and ignored our limits. This distorted our call to “have dominion” (Gen 1:28) and to “till and keep” the earth (Gen 2:15).
God’s first mandate: Stewardship of Creation
"A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor… Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society." (Pope Francis, On Care for Our Common Home [Laudato Si'],nos. 49, 91)
Catholic Social Teaching states clearly that Care for Creation is a part of our responsibility as Catholics.
St. Francis who speaks of “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” in the Canticle of the Creatures reminds us of the importance of relationship with our earth and with its people, including the poor and vulnerable.
Care for Creation is a core theme of CST
Urgency of the Crisis
We are on track to exceed the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Climate agreement within the next decade, possibly sooner.
The consequences of this change will include:
It will affect everyone, though the burden will fall on the worlds poorest.
Catholic Social Teaching and Care for Creation
Integral Ecology
Ecological Conversion
The Common Good and Global Solidarity
Whole-Group Discussion
?
What are the challenges related to care for creation, the environment, and climate change that are most important to you? Why?
What are some of the pains, difficulties, or concerns that you experience related to these issues?
The “See, Judge, Act” Method for Social Change
Where does the See-Judge-Act Model come from?
Step #1: See
Step #1: See
Step 1: What it means to ”see”
Before we act, we must assess the problem and open our eyes and ears to the realities around us — in our parish, our community, and our common home.
Parish-Level Examples
�State/National-Level Examples
Small Group Discussion: See
?
What signs of environmental harm or concern do we see in our parish or community?
Who is most affected by these issues — and how are they impacted?
Are there local or state-level environmental issues we should be paying more attention to?
Step #2: Judge
Step #2: Judge
Step 2: What it means to “judge”
Through the lens of faith, we ask: What does Catholic Social Teaching say? What does our conscience tell us?
Parish-Level Reflection
State/National-Level Reflection
Small Group Discussion: Judge
?
What do Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching say about our responsibility to care for creation?
How do these teachings challenge or affirm how we’re currently responding?
What values should shape our response to environmental injustice?
Step #3: Act
Step #3: Act
Step 3: What it means to “act”
Our faith compels us not just to care, but to act — with courage, compassion, and commitment. �
Parish-Level Actions
State/National-Level Advocacy
Small Group Discussion: Act
?
What’s one action our parish could take to care for creation more faithfully?
How can we participate in advocacy efforts at the state or national level?
What small step can you or your ministry commit to this month?
Encounter GA: Advocacy Model for Social Change
See
Judge
Act
Individual
Family
Parish
Community
State/Country
Planet
Evaluation
Analysis
+
Theological reflection
Case Study: Composting at St. Thomas More, Decatur GA
See – Parishioners observed lots of waste at fish-frys
Judge – Parishioners believed the waste was contrary to our parish’s values
Act – Parishioners developed a composting program, educated parishioners, and even moved to real plates (no Styrofoam) and volunteered to wash dishes.
Case Study: Advocacy for the Okefenokee
See – observed that mining company sought a permit that would damage hydrology of the swamp
Judge – this action runs contrary to our common call to protect God’s creation
Act – Encounter GA members attended Capitol Conservation Day (2024-25), partnered with advocacy organizations Georgia Water Coalition and Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, and held Encounter meetings with state legislators
Case Study: State-Level Energy Advocacy
For Discussion
?
Which levels of actions (individual, parish and community, or state and global) have you engaged in?
Which areas do you find most exciting? Challenging? Difficult?
Next Steps
Thank you!