Laudato Si’ – 10 Years Later: A Conversation in Slovenia

To mark the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the Salesian community in Slovenia organized a special round table called “Cleansing the Heart and Creation.” The event took place on April 7th, 2025, at the Salesian castle Rakovnik in Ljubljana. It was hosted by the Don Bosco Foundation and the Youth Guild (Mladinski ceh).

 The goal of the event was to bring together people from different fields to talk about ecology, social justice, spirituality, and how we live our daily lives.

 The speakers were:

●     Dr. Roman Globokar, theologian and professor of moral and ecological ethics;

●     Miha Curk, agricultural scientist and regenerative farmer;

●     Ema Otavnik, environmental activist and member of Ecologists Without Borders.

The discussion began by looking at what has changed in the last ten years. Although more people in Slovenia are aware of environmental problems, real action is still lacking. The climate crisis is getting worse, and there is an urgent need for stronger education, values, and political decisions.

One main topic was our relationship with nature. The speakers said that modern life often separates us from nature. This can lead to damage and disrespect towards nature. They encouraged people to reconnect with creation – not only in theory, but also in practice. For example, through school gardening and supporting farming that cares for the earth, like regenerative agriculture. 

Another important topic was the role of the Catholic Church. Laudato Si’ gives the Church a strong voice to speak about both environmental and social issues. Church communities can become places where people learn to live simply, share resources, and care for creation. During the evening, the speakers also talked about questions like: Is sustainable living only for the rich? What stops people from living more simply? What can each of us do? They agreed that real change begins with the heart – with personal decisions and community support.

 At the end of the evening, the audience joined the conversation. People asked questions, shared ideas, and stayed long after the official program to continue talking. 

 The event was more than just a celebration. It was a sign of hope – showing that when people come together in honesty and care, they can make a real difference for our common home.