On Saturday, Feb. 8, a vibrant gathering of over 150 Catholics from more than 40 parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte came together in Belmont, North Carolina, for a day of reflection and action around faith and the environment. The Creation Care conference, titled “Walking with the Spirit in the World,” took place at the Sisters of Mercy convent and was co-hosted by the Sisters of Mercy and Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.
Rooted in the spirit of Laudato Si’ and Catholic Social Teaching, the event “emphasized caring for the Earth and others — especially the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters who tend to suffer the worst when it comes to climate concerns and disasters,” said one of the event organizers, Kara Griffin, who is the CCDOC Representative for the Catholic Climate Covenant Inter-diocesan Network
The event featured talks by Bishop Michael Martin of Charlotte and Dr. Catherine Wright, a Catholic eco-theologian. The event was designed to emphasize that care for the Earth and care for the poor are not separate missions but part of the same Gospel call. Climate change and ecological degradation disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, and the Catholic response must address both environmental and social injustice.
An afternoon full of breakout sessions addressed poverty, climate change, environmental justice, Laudato Si’ and other related topics. The energy, turnout, and diversity of participants underscored the growing commitment to creation care in the Charlotte area and across the Carolinas. With over 150 attendees and participation from more than 40 parishes, the conference reflected a powerful regional momentum toward building a more just and sustainable future — guided by faith.
Check out the CCDOC Facebook Post about the event, as well as the Catholic News Herald’s coverage of the event.
To learn more about local efforts in creation care in the Carolinas, visit ccdoc.org/en/careofcreation
Submitted by Kara Griffin
CCDOC Representative for the Catholic Climate Covenant Inter-diocesan Network
