Raising Hope’ Conference

Saturday, 21 November

Parish communities from across Cork City and County and Waterford will gather on Saturday, 21 November, for Raising Hope, a Laudato Si’ conference exploring how Christian faith can inspire action to care for our common home.
Organised by Trócaire on behalf of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, in partnership with the Laudato Si’ Movement and the dioceses of Cloyne, Cork and Ross, and Waterford and Lismore, the conference will bring together delegates from across 150 parishes.
Bishop Martin Hayes will speak on the calls of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical on Care for our Common Home, followed by Sr. Colette Kane OP on the connections between ecology, theology and spirituality. Barry O’Loughlin, Biodiversity Officer for County Clare, will share on his work with 27 parishes to return 30% of church grounds to nature by 2030.
Afternoon workshops will offer practical ideas for parish action, covering eco-spirituality, the Eco-Parish Award, Havens for Nature ~ supporting biodiversity in faith communities and the Fossil Fuel Treaty. A marketplace of organisations and resources will help participants explore further opportunities to put Laudato Si’ into practice at the grassroots.
At a time when the climate and biodiversity crises can feel overwhelming, Raising Hope will help parish communities connect faith with action and discover positive ways to care for creation locally, inspired by a nourishing ecological spirituality at the heart of Laudato Si’
Bishop of Cloyne Diocese, +William Crean notes: “Caring for our common home is not separate from our Christian faith; it is an essential expression of it. Our parishes have an important role to play in responding to the climate and biodiversity crises. Raising Hope is an opportunity to share inspiration and discover practical ways to put our faith into action, being communities of hope, helping to build a more just and sustainable world for future generations.”
The conference takes place on Saturday, 21 November 2026, from 10am to 4pm at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Tivoli, Cork, T23 E244.
Places are limited and registration is essential.

To register, contact Maria Murphy at [email protected]