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Benedict XVI Links Peace with Care of Creation

In a wide-ranging, prophetic, and challenging World Day of Peace message on climate change and environmental justice, Pope Benedict recalled for all of us our biblical tradition, highlighted teachings from previous popes and implored us to “rethink the path which we are traveling together.”  Read the statement here.  See Resource from USCCB on Pope Benedict’s World Day of Prayer message.

Catholics Come to Copenhagen for Climate Justice

Catholic Church leaders, supporters, along with Caritas Internationalis and CIDSE representing 180 Catholic agencies are attending the  international climate change negotiations  in Copenhagen to urge world leaders to make the poor a priority.  Read more here.  Caritas Internationalis also invited participation in  the worldwide church bell ringing for Copenhagen climate change negotiations – Invitation from Caritas Internationalis. See also this Special Report on Copenhagen.

New Climate Change Statement from the Irish Bishops

The bishops of Ireland released a long-awaited statement on climate change on November 10.  They invite all, “to reflect on ‘that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying’ (CV n. 50).”  Read the press release and download the statement here.

Pope Names African Cardinal to Head Justice and Peace

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, will succeed Cardinal Renato Martino as the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The African continent is at the center of climate impacts. Of the 26 countries deemed by most to be the most vulnerable to climate change impacts, 23 are in Africa. The Holy Father has been outspoken in calling for all of humankind to “listen to the voice of the earth” and this appointment bolsters his concern. Read more here.

National Web Summit Offers Catholic Teaching on Care for Creation and Climate Change

The Fraciscan Action Network offered an opportunity to learn more about a Catholic approach to climate change on October 15.  A live webcast, “Care for Creation National Web Summit”  featured panel presentations on ways that Catholics are embracing a new ethic of ecological stewardship, offered concrete actions to reduce your carbon footprint, and a primer on climate change legislation now before Congress. To see a recording of the webinar, go here.

Pope Implores Wealthy Nations to Address, “the urgent issue of climate change”

8/26/09–In his address from his vacation home in Italy, Pope Benedict XVI offered, “my support to the leaders of governments and international agencies who soon will meet at the United Nations to discuss the urgent issue of climate change.”  He said: “The economic and social costs of using up shared resources must be recognized with transparency and borne by those who incur them, and not by other peoples or future generations.”

Sending Message to Senators: Funds for Poor People to Adapt to Climate Change

8/5/09–The National Religious Partnership for the Environment (which includes the  U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) sent a letter to key Senators urging them to substantially increase the amount of funding allocated to international adaptation needs as they begin debate climate change legislation after the August recess.  The letter states “We believe that the fundamental moral measure of climate change legislation is how the poor – in our own country and around the world – are affected.” Read the entire letter here.

Interfaith Leaders Urge Key Senators to Increase Adaptation Assistance to Poor Countries

7/22/09–Members of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment in a letter to key Senators on committees considering climate change legislation urged them to substantially increase the inadequate funding for international adaptation assistance  that was included in a House version of the bill.  Read more here.

Pope Benedict’s Caritas in Veritate Elaborates on Environmental Justice

7/7/09–On July 7, the Vatican released the Holy Father’s third encyclical letter, Charity in Truth, emphasizing that “charity demands justice: recognition and respect for the legitimate rights of individuals and peoples.”  Benedict XVI devotes the fourth chapter of the encyclical to “The development of people, rights and duties, the environment.” Here, the pope says that, “The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.”  Read more here.

Climate Change Will Cause Greater Humanitarian Crises Unless We Act Now

6/25/09–Secretary General Lesley-Anne Knight of Caritas Internationalis (a 162-member Catholic charities/aid organization) told the Global Humanitarian Forum that the effects of climate change will be felt the most by the poorest who lack the resources to protect themselves. The Global Humanitarian Forum brought together concerned leaders at its 2009 Forum in Geneva on June 23 and 24 to formulate a response to the human impact of climate change. Read more here.

USCCB & CRS Send Letter to Congress about Climate Legislation

6/24/09–The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services released an Action Alert June 24, 2009 urging Catholics to contact their members of congress about the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.    The House of Representatives will perhaps as soon as Friday, vote on this significant climate change legislation, that could help or hurt the poor.  The USCCB and CRS are calling members of congress to  significantly increase the funding resources allocated for international adaptation programs so that people living in poverty around the world can be protected from the effects of climate change.   Read the Action Alert and a recent letter sent from USCCB and CRS to members of Congress outlining our concerns.

Poorest People Need Resources to Deal With Climate Change

6/24/09–In a joint article  Ken Hackett, president of CRS, and the Rev. John McCullough, executive director of CWS state that “The poorest 1 billion people are responsible for producing just 3 percent of green house gas emissions causing these shifts. Yet, they bear the brunt of global climate change’s impact and have the fewest resources to deal with its consequences. This is the real inconvenient truth! It is critical that we respond to the concerns and needs of these communities with bold and compassionate policy and legislation, living up to our responsibility as a country that has greatly contributed to the problem.”  See entire joint article here.

Climate Change Legislation Falls Short for the Most Vulnerable

5/18/09–A joint letter to members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops  and Catholic Relief Services urges that the “fundamental moral measure of climate change legislation is how it affects the poor in our own country and around the world” and says, “we are deeply disappointed that the funding resources committed to international adaptation fall fundamentally short of what is needed and the increase in available resources is pushed too far off into the future.”  See entire joint letter here.  Acting on this legislation is a way to fulfill the Advocacy part of the St. Francis Pledge.

Zogby Poll Results Show Vast Majority of Catholics in U.S. Believe Climate Change is a Serious Moral Issue.

5/21/09–The survey, conducted in early April 2009, shows that care for God’s creation and addressing the issue of climate change are important to Catholics in the U.S.  The vast majority of Catholics polled believed that climate change is a serious moral issue and that their faith calls them to be concerned about how climate change impacts vulnerable people at home and abroad.  The poll indicates both a willingness and desire by Catholics to reclaim the scriptural mandate to care for creation–be good stewards of God’s gift of creation–and to sacrifice and actively engage in efforts that will ensure that the poor and vulnerable do not unduly suffer as a result of climate change.  Read More about the Zogby Poll Results.