by Paul Kelly and Keith Pitcher
Almost every organisation nowadays, thank goodness, has sustainability on its agenda. And Leeds Diocese is no exception. With the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching behind us and Laudato Si’ bringing care of our common home into sharp focus 10 years ago, this should come as no surprise. But did you know sustainability is now an integral part of strategic thinking in the diocese and we have a dedicated Diocesan Laudato Si’ Sustainability Group to help focus its direction and its decision making?
Known by its abbreviation, the DLSSG came about after a group of parishioners from Settle met with Bishop Marcus over 4 years ago to explore what our mission to care for all aspects of creation might look like. Those pioneering parishioners became part of a Climate Action sub-group of the J&P Commission who Bishop Marcus put in contact with key members of the curial offices. The DLSSG was born.
The group meets regularly at Hinsley Hall under the chairmanship of Mgr Andrew Summersgill, moderator of the curia. Along with 3 representatives of the Climate Action group the DLSSG comprises the property manager, directors of finance, communications & education, Katie Clegg Head of Sustainability at Leeds Trinity University, and Carla Stockton-Jones newly appointed trustee with responsibility for sustainability.
The group’s purpose is to promote sustainability as a core spiritual and practical value across all aspects of our Christian life as diocese, parish, school and parishioner; to contribute towards strategic planning in the diocese; and to be available as a resource/source of help. As Pope Francis made clear in his encyclical Laudato Si’ the environment is the milieu in which our economy and society function; they are intimately connected and interdependent. The focus on sustainability ensures all three become central to our ethical decision making.
Some members of the present DLSSG helped to develop the Diocesan Environmental Policy and its strategic planning. Although signed off by the Bishop in 2020 the policy struggles to influence much of our everyday practice without the leadership and resourcing available to other, equally important, departments. Hence leadership has been a major focus of the group with agreement secured last year from the diocese to recruit a Head of Sustainability to complement the work of other directorates in the curia.
At present diocesan finances make it challenging to make any new appointments, yet a determined focus on sustainability would not only be God’s work but will save money and reduce greenhouse gases emissions through initiatives to slash energy use. It’s a real ‘catch-22’. The DLSSG is the key driver of bringing attention to and helping to resolve this dilemma.
The challenge too for all of us is how can our clergy, parishioners and schools be helped to understand and live this previously under-developed part of our Catholicity? What would help us to learn, pray, preach, guide, work together and act?
Pope Leo XIV affirmed its importance this autumn:
“We cannot call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ without participating in his outlook on creation and his care for all that is fragile and wounded.”
(Address 1st Oct 2025 to participants in the “Raising Hope” conference on the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’.)
The contact for DLSSG is Jacqui Atkinson, administrator at Hinsley Hall
Tel: 0113 2618029 Ext: 229
Email: Jacqui.atkinson@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
Please do get in touch if you would like more information, can help the work of the group or need support towards making our homes, parishes, schools and diocese more sustainable in line with God’s kingdom.