Resources

U.S. Bishops

“At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about the future of God's creation and the one human family.” —U.S. Bishops

Bishops' Statement on Climate Change (2001)

Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good
In this statement on global climate change the U.S. Bishops declared that our response to questions and challenges surrounding this issue is an opportunity for national discussion and action. Read the statement: English | Spanish

This Bishops' Statement is included in Faithful Stewards of God's Creation: a Catholic Resource for Environmental Justice and Climate Change, useful for discussion groups to engage in study and action. The book includes a CD for electronic viewing, printing and distribution at parish gatherings. Order it here
Order the Bishops' Statement alone here

Faithful Stewards of God’s Creation
U.S. Bishops’ web site on Environmental Justice with teachings, reports on what Catholics are doing around the
country, prayer resources, public policy backgrounders and more. Visit the site

Statements by Bishops Around the Country

Endorsements of the Catholic Cliamte Covenant

April 2009

Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton endorses Catholic Climate Covenant. See the statement and the list of prayer and actions the diocese has "taken to address global warming and its effects on our disadvantaged communities." (PDF)

March 2009

Archbishop Henry Mansell of Hartford endorses Catholic Climate Covenant. The Archdiocese will "foster continued engagement on this serious issue that has profound implications for humanity, but most especially for the poor and vulnerable." See his letter here (PDF)

Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati endorses the Catholic Climate Covenant and has "authorized the creation of a Climate Change Task Force" comprised of "staff and volunteers from across the Archdiocess [who] will strategize on how we can live out the five elements of the pledge." See entire statement (PDF)

February 2009

Bishop Sam Jacobs of Houma-Thibodaux endorses the Catholic Climate Covenant because "scientific and public discourse have converged in making climate change both an urgent practical concern and a moral imperative for Catholics in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux." Click here to view his entire statement (PDF).

Bishops Speak on Climate Change

December 2008

Bishop John Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee spoke at the invitation of Governor Crist’s Climate Change Summit urging policy-makers to remember that the needs of poor families and individuals must be considered when addressing the serious issue of climate change. Click here to view his oral presentation. His written comments are here (PDF). View his remarks on a webcast: "Preserving God's Creation"

January 2008

Bishop Matthew Clark issued a statement encouraging awareness about the "crucial issue facing our world," global climate change. He urged action to "protect our environment--and help people in need" by signing a petition which addresses climate change (sent to the governor and state legislators of New York).

June 2007

Archbishop Roger Schwietz opened the climate change hearings in Anchorage, Alaska, urging Catholics to look at the issues not from the top down, but from the bottom up—especially how they affect the lives and dignity of God’s most vulnerable people. Read the complete statement (PDF)

February 2007

Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando wrote to Senate and House leadership, members of House Committees on Energy, Commerce and Natural Resources and Senate Committees on Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Public Works urging them to remember the poor and vulnerable in climate change legislation. Read the sample letter, which is addressed to Senator Reid (PDF)

Texas bishops urged Catholics to consider the environmental costs of a proposal to build eleven new coal-fired power plants in the state and called for legislation to provide clean, reliable, affordable energy solutions. Read the statement (PDF)

December 2006

In the face of a proposal to construct new coal-fired power plants in the diocese, Bishop Ronald Gilmore of Dodge City urged Catholics to consider the harm to God’s creation caused by these plants. Read the statement (PDF)

November 2006

Archbishop Harry Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis joined with other Minnesota religious leaders urging Senator Coleman to act on climate change. Read the statement (PDF)

June 2005

Bishop William Skylstad, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, urged President George Bush to make action on climate change a priority as the President left for the G-8 Summit. Read the letter

Bishop John Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee urged Senators to craft climate change legislation with the poor in mind. Read the statement (PDF)