Interpretations of Laudato Si'

I plan to update this listing periodically. [Disclaimer: The views of the linked articles do not necessarily reflect my views, as most readers (and my seminary students) will know. Some are polite and charitable; others abrasive and bitter; still others inveterate fantasy. Advisory: I consider it important to arm oneself with a variety of perspectives -- See: Rules ##7-9]

• "Encyclical Letter Laudato Si' of the Holy Father, Francis, On Care for Our Common Home" (Vatican website, May 24, 2015)
• "A guide to Laudato Si" (ICN, June 18, 2015)
• Fr. Ashley Beck, "No Catholic is free to dissent from the teaching of Laudato Si'" (Catholic Herald, June 19, 2015)
• "The Five Things You May Have Missed in the Pope's Newest Encyclical" (Humanum, June 18, 2015) [See also this background on Humanum]
• Fr. George W. Rutler, "Mixing Up the Sciences of Heaven and Earth" (Crisis, June 18, 2015)
• R.R. Reno, "The Return of Catholic Anti-Modernism" (First Things, June 18, 2015)
• "11 Things You Probably Won't Hear about Pope Francis' Encyclical" (The Stream June 19, 2015)
• Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Consider Accepting Pope Francis’s Invitation to a View of Human Creation in Full" (National Review, June 18, 2015).
• George Weigel, "The Pope’s Encyclical, at Heart, Is About Us, Not Trees and Snail Darters" (National Review, June 18, 2015).
• Austen Ivereigh, "Laudato Si': a landmark in modern church teaching that will shape a new future" (Catholic Voices Comment, June 17, 2015).
• Christopher White, "Pope Francis' new encyclical is about climate change -- and much more" (New York Daily News, June 18, 2015)
• "Editorial: Care for our home" (Our Sunday Visitor June 18, 2015)
• Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, "Laudato Si': Protecting 'our common home' and the dignity of the poor" (Echoes, June 18, 2015)
• Fr. Raymond J. de Souza, "Pope calls for action on climate change. Is it his most radical move yet?" (National Post, June 16, 2015)
• Fr. Raymond J. de Souza "Laudato Si: The Cheers and the Challenges" (National Catholic Register, June 18, 2015)
• Mark Shea, "John Allen, Jr. Gives Fascinating Background on Laudato Si" (Patheos, June 18, 2015)
• "Fr. Barron on Pope's Francis' Encyclical 'Laudato Si'" [video via Mark Shea on Fr. Barron's "typically intelligent commentary"]
• Christopher A. Ferrara, "On the Pope's Encyclical, 'Laudato Si’: Talk to the Animals - After All, You’re One of Them" (The Remnant June 18, 2015)
• Dave Armstrong, "Critique of Chris Ferrara's Radical Reactionary Hit-Piece in Opposition to Pope Francis' Christian Environmentalism"(Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, June 20, 2015)
• Louie Verrechio, "The single most important lesson of Laudato Si" (Harvesting the Fruit of the Vatican II, June 19, 2015)
• Samuel Gregg, "Laudato Si': Well intentioned, economically flawed" (Acton Institute blog, June 19, 2015>
• Jimmy Akin, "Pope Francis' Environmental Encyclical: 13 Things to Know and Share" (National Catholic Register, June 18, 2015)
• Fr. Robert Sirico, "The Pope's Green Theology" (Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2015), by founder of the Acton Institute [representing Austro-Libertarian "free-market" economics]
• Michael Sean Winters, "Laudato Si' - Magistra No" (National Catholic Reporter, June 19, 2015)
• John Vennari, "EcoEncy - Noah and Justice and Peace, Oh My" [video] (Catholic Family News, June 18, 2015)
• Atila Sinke Guimarães, "Who Is Inspiring Francis on Ecology?" (Tradition in Action, May 29, 2015)
• Anthony Annett, "Ten Quick Takeaways from Laudato Si'" (Commonweal, June 18, 2015)
• William L. Patenaude, "'Laudato Si' focuses on the heart of man and the disorders of our age" (Catholic World Report, June 18, 2015)
• Boniface, "The Curiosity of the Modern Encyclical" (Unam Sanctam Catholicam, June 18, 2015)
• Aaron Taylor, "Pope Francis's Conservatism of Joy" (Ethika Politika, June 22, 2015)
• Chris Jackson, "Why I'm Disregarding Laudato Si and You Should Too" (Remnant, June 19, 2015)
• Leroy Huizenga, "Why I Welcome 'Laudato Si'" (Catholic World Report, June 19, 2015)
• Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Pope Francis does not settle science or replace politics but opens doors and hearts to the fullness of creation" (National Review, June 22, 2015).
• Maureen Mullarkey, "Where Did Pope Francis’s Extravagant Rant Come From?" (The Federalist, June 21, 2015).
• Robert Royal, "The New Encyclical: Laudato Si" (The Catholic Thing, June 18, 2015)
• Ross Douthat, "Pope Francis’ Call to Action Goes Beyond the Environment" (New York Times, June 20, 2015)
• "Franciscan explains [and SINGS] 'Laudato Si'" [Video]
• Mark Brumley, Fr. Fessio, at al., "Ignatius Press discussion of Laudato Si'" [Video]
• "U.S. Bishops Welcome Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si'" [National Press Club Video]
• "The Theologians [at HQ of America magazine] Respond: Laudato Si" [Video]
• Yale University panel: "Pope Francis and the Environment: Why His New Climate Encyclical Matters" [Video]
• "Rush: Pope's Stance On Climate Science Proves He's Marxist" [Video]
• Augustinus, "The Holy See's New Alliances - I. Behind Laudato Si: Meet the Irish dissident who was one of the chief advisors behind this encylical - and what he said about its theology" (RC, July 14, 2015).

But remember, when all is said and done, what is far more important than any encyclical, or sorting out the cacophony of voices vying to interpret it, is the zeal and joy with which you embrace your life as a Catholic. To know the Faith requires no more than a Penny Catechism; and if you know your Faith, you will know how to live it, love it, and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.