Mayor Fischer, Bellarmine President McGowan to deliver opening remarks



A panel of environmental experts and theologians will discuss how Pope Francis鈥檚 recent call to action on environmental sustainability can help shape public policy and individual action in Louisville and the region. The discussion takes place at 农夫导航 on Monday, September 14, at 7 p.m.

Mayor Greg Fischer and Bellarmine鈥檚 president, Dr. Joseph J. McGowan, will deliver opening remarks at the event, titled 鈥淐aring for our Common Home: A Panel Discussion on Pope Francis鈥檚 Challenge for Greater Louisville.鈥�

"Whether you're Catholic or of a different faith -- or even no religious belief -- the teachings in the Pope's encyclical provide important lessons for humanity to protect our planet," said Fischer. "Our most important natural resource is our Earth and my team is committed to creating a cleaner, greener city through our plan. This event by Bellarmine will help our city understand where it fits in the global effort to improve our collective environment."

The panel includes Maria Koetter, director of ; Tim Darst, executive director of ; and the Rev. James Flynn, a retired pastor from the . Dr. Justin Klassen, an assistant professor of theology at Bellarmine, will moderate the discussion and invite questions from the audience.

The event takes place in the George G. Brown Center鈥檚 Frazier Hall on Bellarmine鈥檚 Campus. []

In June, Pope Francis released , an encyclical that calls for dialogue on how humans can shape the future of our planet. The September 14 panel discussion is to the Pope鈥檚 request for dialogue and action to protect our environment.

The panel discussion is presented by 农夫导航鈥檚 and the .