ACTION ALERT

Catholics Are Still In

Soon after Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’ was released in 2015, global leaders signed the Paris Climate Agreement — uniting nearly every nation in seeking measurable ways of curbing climate change. This agreement responded to the call of Laudato Si’, the call of our faith to care for the earth and its inhabitants, particularly those most vulnerable to its degradation. Sadly, last year the U.S. withdrew from its commitment to honor this agreement. 

Despite this action by our governmental leaders, the world needs to know that the U.S. Catholic community cares about the fate of our common home and those most impacted by climate change.

For this reason, Ignatian Solidarity Network has joined the Catholic Climate Covenant’s “Catholic Climate Declaration” which affirms 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.

Your institution to do the same — join the Catholic Climate Declaration. 

Any Catholic institution can sign on, including parishes, schools, universities, retreat centers, social ministries etc. The deadline for signatories is June 11, 2018 — thus, quick action is needed. The direct link to sign-on can be found here.

The Catholic Climate Covenant has created a number of resources including FAQ’sLeave-BehindsSample 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 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’ was released.

NOTE: At this time, there is only the opportunity for Catholic institutions to sign-on