On 23 May 2022 on the banks of Broken Creek in Nathalia, Bishop Shane Mackinlay comissioned representatives from Sandhurst parishes and schools who had formalised their commitment to Laudato Si’ action goals by enroling in the Catholic Earthcare prgoramme.

Bishop Shane Mackinlay spoke of the Australia Catholic Bishops’ commitment to Laduato Si’ Action and his pride in the Diocese of Sandhurst’s response to the call to action, with more than half of schools and parishes already partnered with Earthcare. 

"Catholic Earthcare has made it easy to address the seven goals and journey towards becoming living Laudato Si’ communities”, says Richard Landels, Caritas Australia’s Advancement Director.

“The Earthcare Schools’ program began earlier but since the launching of the Laudato Si’ goals, it’s gained momentum and the newly developed Parish program has mushroomed.” 

Fr Joe Taylor, Vicar-General and Parish Priest of Shepparton explains why -- “I’m really excited about becoming an Earthcare parish. We’ve wanted to do something, and this framework gives us a way to do it”.

“Our Earthcare process is filling a need for communities across the nation who want to do something about the ‘cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’”, says Sue Martin, Earthcare Coordinator.