Catholic Climate Covenant announces special conference on pollution, maternal health, and the unborn this April

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Katie Zakrzewski, 501-618-0234

katie@catholicclimatecovenant.org 

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Catholic Climate Covenant is excited to announce a special two-day conference, Petrochemical Pollution, the Unborn, and Maternal Health: A Louisiana Catholic Health Conference. This timely event will explore the unintended consequences of petrochemical waste on maternal and unborn health, with a particular focus on the communities in Louisiana’s river parishes, where pollution has had a profound impact on public health and the environment.

“Care for God’s creation is, at its core, an issue of social justice,” said Bishop Michael Duca, the Bishop of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. “The Church has a long history of applying her social principles to complex issues, and this should be the case in this modern dilemma. Concern for the environment necessitates these themes be applied since these concerns call humanity to respect human life with dignity, to promote the common good and the virtue of solidarity, and to exercise responsibility for the poor and vulnerable.”

This conference will bring together local Catholics, healthcare professionals, scientists, and residents to engage in thoughtful discussions about the intersection of faith, health, and environmental justice. Attendees will explore the social, medical, and scientific dimensions of pollution and maternal health through presentations, a guided tour, and group dialogue.

Event Details:

  • Dates: April 4, 2025 (6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) and April 5, 2025 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
  • Location: St. Peter Chanel Interparochial School, 2590 Louisiana Hwy. 44, Paulina, LA 70763
  • Cost: $20 suggested donation

Some conference highlights include:

  • Prayer and faith reflection: Opening moments of prayer and reflection on the intersection of Catholic social teaching and environmental justice.
  • Geography of challenges and opportunities tour: A guided tour of St. James Parish with RISE St. James, focusing on the local impact of petrochemical pollution.
  • Scientific, medical, and social analysis: Presentations from leading scientific experts who will share the latest research and health data on the effects of pollution on maternal and fetal health.
  • Theological reflection: A discussion on the moral and theological implications of these issues and how Catholic teachings call us to respond.
  • Action and dialogue: Opportunities for dialogue on concrete actions that the Church can take to address this issue, with a focus on fostering unity in an era of political polarization.

“It is our hope that through this conference, we can learn and engage, encounter and dialogue with each other,” said Tom Costanza, the Executive Director for the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. “We must encourage honest dialogue in the interest of the common good and for the care of our common home. It is especially important to create an environment that can provide the best outcomes for the health of our most vulnerable unborn children.”

“We are grateful for this opportunity to work with our partners in Louisiana to support dialogue, in the spirit of synodality, on such a crucial issue,” said Kayla Jacobs, the Covenant’s Policy Advisor. “Our hope is that this gathering is an early step of long-lasting collaboration for the common good.”   

People interested in attending can register here.

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About Catholic Climate Covenant  

Catholic Climate Covenant is a national U.S. nonprofit founded with the support of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2006 that inspires and equips U.S. Catholics and institutions to care for creation together. Through 20 national partners, we guide the U.S. Church’s response to climate change and integral ecology through faith-driven education, advocacy, and resources. 

www.catholicclimatecovenant.org.

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