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At a Spanish convent, nuns fight to preserve rare giant rabbit breed

In Indonesia, reporter finds nuns' ministries meeting climate, poverty challenges

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The climate is changing,
a matter of moral urgency.

How Catholics and other faith groups speak out and take action. Where ecological concerns and moral conviction meet, well that's our beat.

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Members of Apache Stronghold protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington Sept. 11, 2024. An Indigenous coalition filed an updated lawsuit in federal district court on April 22, 2026, their latest attempt to stop a land transfer including their sacred site at Oak Flat, Ariz., from destruction by a copper mining giant.

Indigenous coalition continues challenge to mining project on religious liberty grounds

An Indigenous coalition filed an updated lawsuit in federal district court in Phoenix on April 22, their latest attempt to block a land transfer including their sacred site at Oak Flat, Arizona, and protect the site from destruction by a copper mining giant.

Franciscan Sr. Consuelo Peset Laudeña shows one of the Spanish Giant rabbits the cloistered community breeds at the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua in Central Spain. The rabbits are at risk of extinction. (Lissette Lemus)

At a Spanish convent, nuns fight to preserve rare giant rabbit breed

"We have to protect creation," Sr. Consuelo Peset Laudeña said. "We are Franciscans. St. Francis is the patron saint of veterinarians, and that is the source of the love we feel for the Spanish giant rabbit."

Stefani Danes stands on the Rachel Carson EcoVillage's construction site. The building with a high tower in the background is the Sisters of Divine Providence's 100-year-old convent, now part of La Roche University. (Jennifer Szweda Jordan)

EcoVillage sustainable housing finds a place to build with Pittsburgh sisters

The Rachel Carson Ecovillage needed land, and the Sisters of Divine Providence near Pittsburgh were trying to sell 8 acres. As the sustainable housing project got underway, the two groups became partners in mission.

Guwahati, Assam, India (Unsplash/Bhargav Keot)
Columns

Nature teaches me to celebrate Earth Day as my birthday

Mother Earth is creative, and just as she evolves, every human body and spirit also requires growth — this is part of the very nature of nature.

Charlie, Lucy Huh's poodle, plays on the beach

Lessons from my beloved dog, Charlie, on the feast of St. Francis

My poodle was sacred, like all creatures born from the loving heart of God. He taught me that animals, too, carry the divine spark of their creator.

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Feature Series

Contemplation With Creation

This summer blog series by Christina Leaño aims to be an exploration of the how and why of contemplation, especially in relation to creation. How can contemplation be a way of deepening our relationship with God and creation? How do you contemplate?
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COP28 Dubai

Pope Francis will attend the United Nations' COP28 climate change conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, becoming the first pontiff to ever address such a high-level summit. COP28 runs Nov. 30-Dec. 12. (OSV News/cop28.com)
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Reducing waste

Catholic parishes and communities are taking steps to reduce waste and change lifestyles.
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Burning Questions logo Burning Questions

A temple constructed by the Indigenous Toda tribe in the Nilgiris Hills of southern India, on Aug. 31, 2023. This temple is located in the heart of a sacred grassland and Toda settlement known as Muttunad Mund near Kotagiri, India. (AP Photo/Deepa Bharath)

What are sacred forests?

Sacred forests and groves are primeval woodlands that different faith communities around the world have safeguarded for centuries as abodes of the spiritual or the divine.

Pope Francis writing on a large, round, white item on a desk.

Why is the Catholic Church participating in a UN climate summit?

Brian Roewe
protest

What is loss and damage?

Brian Roewe
São Paulo Zoo, Brazil (Wikimedia Commons/Mike Peel, www.mikepeel.net)

Why is Francis of Assisi the patron saint of ecology?

Brian Roewe

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