About CCN
Our Story…
On June 18, 2015, Catholics from across Western Washington gathered to celebrate the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home. The Pacific Northwest had already experienced melting glaciers, forest fires, drought, contaminated water, and the impact of the fossil fuel industry. The people of the Archdiocese of Seattle welcomed Francis’s teachings on integral ecology because his ideas cohered with our general sense of the sacredness of nature.
Heeding the Pope’s leadership, Catholics developed Creation Care ministries in many parishes throughout the Archdiocese. As individual parish groups started their work, we initiated collaborations with parishes, universities and institutions. We enhanced our ability to pray, learn and act effectively on behalf of God’s Creation. Forming a collaborative, entitled A New Solidarity with Creation, we sponsored environmental summits, liturgies, Season of Creation events, educational workshops, and advocated with local legislators.
Coinciding with Archbishop Paul Etienne’s arrival in Seattle, the Catholic collaboration evolved into the Creation Care Network. Rooted in the teachings of Laudato Si’ and many traditions of the Catholic Church emphasizing environmental stewardship, the Creation Care Network established a focus on integral ecology. Our commitment necessitates an intertwined preferential option for Earth and those who are poor, who suffer most from adverse effects of climate crisis. We do this out of reverence for Earth, valuing how it is imbued with life and beauty by God who creates all things. We work to recognize our own place and role within Creation, strengthening kinship with all.
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Our Resolve…
To ignite awareness into action for the renewal and protection of all Creation.
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Our Engagement…
To advocate, educate and partner for the advancement of all-inclusive approaches to care for our common home.
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Our Nature…
- Determination to live God’s plan for all Creation.
- Kindness, the gift of Love, in all that we do.
- Courage to do the extraordinary.
- Commitment to relationship with all Creation.
- Humility in our responsibility for all Creation.
- Integrity as foundational to truth.
- Justice which fulfills God’s design for all Creation.
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Our Priorities…inspired by the encyclical Laudato Si’
“…everything is interconnected, and that genuine care for our own lives and our relationships with nature is inseparable from fraternity, justice, and faithfulness to others.” —Laudato Si’ 70
- Address the Climate Crisis for the Sake of All Life Today and Future Generations
- Commit to Environmental Justice and Human Dignity with Preferential Option for Marginalized Groups
- Build Solutions through Intergenerational Collaboration
- Articulate Care for Creation as an Essential Dimension of Catholic Identity