The Net Zero Carbon Project Manager for the Diocese of Gloucester, Erica Siddall, reflects on the hope she has found through the Laudato Si’ Movement, which connects faith, hope, and action for the environment:
“I have been Net Zero Carbon Project Manager for the Diocese of Gloucester for nearly two years. With a role that is so focused on sustainability and inspiring change, there are times when I feel like an island and the challenges feel too complex to overcome. I am someone who likes to feel connected with my community but also with global justice, and there is a lot of upsetting news out there.
“I have found an antidote in the Laudato Si’ Movement. It is a pastoral response to climate change that is based in the Catholic Church but calls to all people of goodwill. Its central message is of hope, and its three pillars are ecological conversion (starting with spiritual reflection), footprint reduction and raising a prophetic voice. Caring for the Earth and the poor is not fluffy or frivolous; faith calls us not only to charity but also to justice, speaking truth to power.
“One aspect that initially impressed me was the hard-hitting contributions in the 2025 Raising Hope conference in Rome, including an address from Pope Leo. I heard a professor from my alma mater describe how sovereign debt to international financial institutions perpetuates poverty and dependence. And I heard a government minister from a Pacific island state say: ‘You speak of resilience…Climate change is threatening our peoples’ existence. But this is not about building the resilience of those living in Tuvalu. YOU need to build YOUR resilience in order for us to survive, by channeling the funds to go where people need it the most’.
“For the many of us who have been privileged simply by the accident of our birth, the garden of our privilege has been carefully built and propped up by centuries of unjust global systems. We must first let ourselves grieve this, and then let ourselves challenge it. Laudato Si’ Movement gives space for this. It is a community that can inspire you to be more active in helping brothers and sisters, near and far.
“Laudato Si’ has a circle based in Cheltenham and this group hosts biweekly 30-minute online prayers for the climate. Although it is locally based, the prayers are frequently led by Christians around the world, and this gives a great feeling of global family. I highly recommend it as a way to maintain healthy levels of “Vitamin Hope”. For information, please email the convener Martin for details.
“The powers that be would like you to think that nothing can be done about these injustices, and we shouldn’t bother trying to change things. Let’s instead tune in to God’s dream for living in peace with each other and with God’s beautiful creation. A great starting point is to listen to this beautiful song, to boost your hope!”
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