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Request bishops: now act for climate protection!
The German bishops are calling for climate protection reinforced at the 2025 spring meeting and are reminiscent of Pope Francis' encyclical.
Request bishops: now act for climate protection!
In an urgent warning, the Catholic bishops in Germany asked for greater climate protection at their spring general assembly in the Steinfeld monastery on March 12, 2025. Bishop Heiner Wilmer from Hildesheim emphasized that "climate protection is the greatest market failure in our human history". Ten years after the publication of the encyclical "Lauato Si" by Pope Francis, it became obvious that nothing was understood. The current world climate agreement threatened to become a farce, Wilmer criticized: "Today's interests are above that of tomorrow," said the bishop, who underlined the urgency of bringing the concern of "Laudato Si" into the upcoming coalition agreement between the Union and SPD. These concerns were also shared by Auxiliary Bishop Rolf Lohmann from Münster, who positioned the church as a "bridge builder" in questions of climate and environmental protection.
inadequate political attention
Wilmer, who is also the chairman of the Commission for Social and Social Questions of the German Bishops' Conference, commented on the current political landscape and stated: "In the political debates and election campaigns, the 'A World' is at best a marginal note." Particularly alarming, the indifference to the sacrificing consequences of climate change in which people suffer and die without seriously focused on. "We didn't hear the cry of the earth - and when we hear it, we won't take it seriously enough," said Wilmer. He added that poverty and need are increased by this indifference, which endangers humanity.
A brochure on "Orientation Replacement Sustainability Reporting" was also presented as part of the meeting, which should give an overview of the necessary measures to improve ecological and social sustainability. While this report remains voluntary, Lohmann emphasized that she is offering a chance to present transparent measures. The brochure not only takes into account ecological aspects such as resource management and emission emissions, but also social factors such as employee rights and charitable offers. This shows the commitment of the German bishops to actively contribute to the improvement of living conditions and the environment, as well as Kathpress and Quellen: