Environmental Prize 2025: Churches show responsibility for creation!

Environmental Prize 2025: Churches show responsibility for creation!

St. Pölten, Österreich - On March 11, 2025, the annual diocesan environmental award was awarded in the parish of Maria Lourdes, an important award for outstanding engagement in the field of environmental and climate protection within the diocese. Bishop Alois Schwarz and governor Deputy Stephan Pernkopf presented the prizes and emphasized Christian responsibility for creation. "Sustainable action is a central expression of our faith," said Bishop Schwarz, while Pernkopf pointed out that the use for environmental protection forms the basis of a future -proof society. These celebrations underlined the determination of the church and the communities to actively work on ecological projects in order to make a positive contribution to the environment ( APA-OTS ).

In another festive framework, the Austria -wide church environmental award was awarded on the same day in St. Pölten, supported by a broad cooperative initiative of the Catholic and Evangelical Churches. At this third award ceremony, three main prizes and numerous recognition prices for innovative and sustainable projects were awarded under the motto "Living together in sustainable church buildings". The award went to the Viennese Catholic parish of Akkonplatz as well as the Catholic parish of Euratsfeld and the Catholic University community Klagenfurt. Bishop Schwarz praised the excellent initiatives as exemplary and worth imitating, and emphasized the common responsibility of all churches for the protection of creation. During the ceremony, it was also pointed out to further promote climate-friendly technologies in church institutions ( katholisch.at ).

Both events illustrate the growing commitment of the church in environmental protection and the willingness to proceed with a good example. For example, the ecological mission statement in the excellent projects in the parishes was successfully implemented, with innovative approaches to promote energy and sustainable use of resources. These awards show that environmental protection and Christian faith can go hand in hand, which is an important source of inspiration for many communities.