Passau is committed: New guidelines for the environment and justice!

Passau is committed: New guidelines for the environment and justice!

On October 25, 2025, an important general meeting of the diocesan council took place in the Haus Spectrum Church in Passau, which dealt extensively with the preservation of creation. This meeting had the sustainable topic “Laudato si” firmly in mind and new guidelines for ecology, the economy for the common good and global development contexts were discussed. Bishop Stefan Oster SDB emphasized the fundamental importance of “Laudato si” for the church in the diocese of Passau and the urgent need to act in an environmentally conscious manner. This was also strongly emphasized by Markus Biber, Chairman of the Diocesan Council, highlighting the commitment of its members to the environment.

In the meeting, as n-ag.de reports, the history of “Laudato si” plays a central role in the diocese. Angelika Görmiller highlighted the work of the “initial perpetrators” on creation and the environment and reiterated that the working group has been actively working on a concept for climate protection, sustainable business and development responsibility since 2017. The revised ecological guidelines are intended to help promote community responsibility in caring for creation.

The commitment to social justice

Another important aspect raised in the discussion is the close connection between social justice and responsibility for creation. Josef Holzbauer, former environmental officer, emphasized this, as did Christine Krammer and Helmut Degenhart. Degenhart called for networking in environmental engagement in order to gain broader support. Herbert Schwohsuber, chairman of the Creation and Environment Committee, explained the need to use the potential of environmentally committed people in the diocese. “Laudato si” needs to be given greater focus in order to initiate new projects.

The discussions were strongly reminiscent of the ideas of the conservationist Aldo Leopold and his “land ethic,” which calls for a respectful treatment of nature. Also important is the question of what environmental knowledge is required in order to act successfully in an ecological manner. To address these challenges, many new approaches and discussions are necessary to create a comprehensive framework for action. This debate is becoming increasingly important for future projects these days.

The Lessons from “Laudato Si”

Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’” addresses precisely these issues and calls for a radical change in lifestyles, production and consumption models. The earth is suffering from the consequences of human abuse and it is necessary to think together the social and ecological dimensions. Pope Francis calls on all people to take responsibility for creation and to improve the well-being of both the earth and the poor. The role of youth as a driving force for change and environmental protection is particularly emphasized - a message that also resonates in Passau.

The initiatives initiated by the “Laudato si” working group and the increased efforts to develop ecological guidelines show that the Diocese of Passau wants to take a pioneering role in environmental commitment. Bistum Passau reports on this groundbreaking meeting and the diverse approaches that emerged from the meeting. Commitment to a sustainable future is not just a local concern, but requires collective action that can fundamentally change the way we view the earth and our fellow human beings.