Rome: In a landmark event marking 190 years of diplomatic relations between Colombia and the Holy See, the Church in Latin America has issued a resounding call for a "just ecological transition" that unites environmental responsibility with social and economic equity.

Hosted at the Pontifical Gregorian University in collaboration with the Colombian Embassy to the Holy See, the forum titled “Just Transitions: The Role of the Church in Shaping a Latin American Vision of Social, Economic, and Environmentally Sustainable Development” gathered Church leaders, scholars, and environmental advocates to explore Latin America’s critical role in addressing the intertwined crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

The forum shed light on the unique dual challenge Latin America faces: progressing on environmental goals while addressing persistent social inequalities and economic limitations. With deep concern for the continent’s vulnerable communities, the Church's voice rose clearly — development must not come at the expense of justice.

Prominent voices included María Adelaida Farah Quijano, Vice-Rector of the Pontifical Javeriana University in Colombia, and Fr. Adelson Araújo dos Santos, a theology professor at the Gregorian. The session was moderated by Emilce Cuda, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

In a sobering address, Cardinal Jaime Spengler, President of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM), warned that “the world sustaining us is unraveling.” He condemned market-driven approaches that commodify nature under the guise of climate solutions and urged the Church to remain a prophetic voice — both critical and hopeful.

Cardinal Spengler called for bold structural changes, particularly in resisting extractivism, safeguarding Indigenous territories, empowering small-scale farmers, and rejecting the financialization of the natural world. “We cannot heal creation with the same logic that wounds it,” he stated.

Highlighting the Church’s commitment beyond theory, Fr. Mark Andrew Lewis, Rector of the Gregorian University, shared how the institution is transforming Laudato Si’s principles into concrete action through a practical diploma program in integral ecology. This initiative aims to educate not only academics but people from all walks of life in environmental stewardship.

“This is not just for scholars or scientists. It's about making real change,” Fr. Lewis told Vatican News, emphasizing that practical involvement is central to Pope Francis’ environmental vision. He noted that this commitment didn’t begin with the Argentine pope but has been deepening over decades, with Laudato Si’ serving as a catalytic force.

Reflecting on the legacy of the 1970s ecological awakening, Fr. Lewis stressed the importance of inclusive, sustainable, and actionable ideas. “If a plan isn’t accessible to everyone, it’s not sustainable. And if it’s not sustainable, it’s ineffective,” he said.

The forum ultimately served as both a celebration and a commission — a reaffirmation of the Church’s duty to lead by example and stir the moral imagination of Latin America. As the region stands at the intersection of ecological fragility and cultural resilience, the Church reaffirms its commitment: to protect the earth, uplift the poor, and ensure that the transition toward sustainability is fair, inclusive, and rooted in dignity for all.