Here's a statement from our bishop, Bishop Raica of the Diocese of Gaylord, about Pope Francis' Encylical "Laudato Si". You can read the entire encyclical here.

Cassock Head-ShouldersStatement by the Most Rev. Steven J. Raica, Bishop of Gaylord Regarding Pope Francis' Encyclical "Laudato Si"

Today’s release of Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Laudato Si” (“On Care for Our Common Home”) has been awaited with great anticipation and interest, not only among Catholics, but within the general public as well. The Holy Father has encouraged all of us to reflect upon God’s gifts of creation and the environment and how we care for that which has been entrusted to us. Exercising proper stewardship of all of our resources is integral to the dignity of human life and an application of our social teachings.

One has only to look around the Diocese of Gaylord to see the spectacular beauty created by God. For example, we are surrounded by the largest freshwater system on Earth and an abundance of land for agriculture. These gifts provide great blessings to our lives, but also come with the solemn responsibility to ensure they are used in a wise manner in order to provide a legacy for generations to come.

With this encyclical, Pope Francis, as many Popes before him, calls on all of us to consider with care the impact our choices make not only on our environment, but indeed on our world. We honor God and express thanksgiving for His creation by being responsible consumers and by respecting creation that sustains us.