Katherine Sklarosky ’23
Climate Communication in the Catholic Church: From the Vatican to the Parishioner at the Polls
Katherine Sklarosky ’23, Political Science and Theology major
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joseph Cammarano, Political Science
An analysis of Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato Si has determined that it is a guiding document on environmental issues with a clear message about the need for Catholics to address the reality of climate change through their way of life. This research determines whether or not this message is communicated by bishops and priests to their congregations in the United States, and whether this level of communication influences the attitudes of Catholic parishioners on environmental/climate change issues, specifically in terms of local and national environmental/climate policy.
I will conduct a survey of parish priests and parishioners within two similar dioceses in New England. The survey will ask questions about the priests’ view of their bishop’s vocality on environmental/climate issues, their own communication of environmental/climate change issues to their parishioners, and whether their parishioners recognize a message being expressed about these issues in relation to their Catholic faith and if it influences their individual support of climate policies.
Oral Presentation: Wednesday, April 26, 12:18 p.m.
