In light of last year’s decision by the U.S. government to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, we believe it is essential for the U.S. Catholic community, along with American civil society, to stand firm in our commitment to care for our common home and those most impacted by climate change. The Paris Agreement answers the call in Laudato Si’ to care for creation, and particularly those most vulnerable to ecological degradation.
For this reason, the Jesuit Conference along with over 80 Jesuit institutions, have joined nearly 600 U.S. Catholic institutions in signing the Catholic Climate Covenant’s “Catholic Climate Declaration,” affirming the commitment of U.S. Catholic institutions (e.g., parishes, dioceses, schools, college/universities, healthcare facilities, etc.) to stand by the Paris Climate Agreement and help meet its goals.
Now we are asking individuals to sign on, as well as Catholic institutions that have not yet signed on to join the Catholic Climate Declaration. Would you join us in solidarity with creation and the most vulnerable?
Read the Declaration and sign on here.
The Catholic Climate Covenant has created a number of resources including FAQs, Leave-Behinds, Sample Letters, and a letter from Bishop Pates (Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa) in support of the Declaration. You can also read about Cardinal Tobin’s recent affirmation of the Declaration on behalf of the Archdiocese of Newark.
This Declaration will be the most significant expression of support for climate action by the Catholic Church in the United States since Laudato Si’.
Institutions signing by September 1, 2018 will be reflected at the upcoming Global Climate Action Summit.
Thank you for standing in solidarity with creation and our brothers and sisters most impacted by climate change around the world.
In hope,
The Jesuit Conference Office of Justice and Ecology
