Resources

Promoting Participation

2008 Grantees

We are pleased to partner with the Environmental Justice Program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment to provide funding and technical expertise to help national Catholic organizations build their capacity to share Catholic social
teaching on the environment engage their members more fully in addressing climate change. In June of 2008, 11 national Catholic organizations were awarded grants to help fulfill these goals.

Catholic health care organizations are utilizing their grant to launch a ministry-wide effort to raise awareness about global climate change.

The USCCB has funded several other climate change related efforts, including hearings, and the activities listed below.

Legislative Efforts

The Catholic Coalition has assisted the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops with their advocacy agenda on climate change at the federal level. In the autumn of 2007, the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Lieberman/Warner “America’s Climate Security Act of 2007.” Read about the Catholic community’s contributions to this particular legislative process.

2007 Grantees

Appalachian Region
Dioceses throughout the region are educating their own leaders about the environmental issues resulting from an economy built on coal, oil and timber industries. The Catholic press in the region have participated in a travel seminar to learn about the many facets of climate change in Appalachia.
Contact Fr. John Rausch

California
The Diocese of Stockton has become a leader on environmental issues in California. They are connecting the issue of air quality with climate change. On Environmental Justice Sunday they reached thousands of Catholics with
educational information.
Contact Betsy Reifsnider

Connecticut
A successful collaboration of dioceses recruited parishes to join “Caring for God’s Creation” during a sign-up Sunday, enrolled households in a clean energy option offered by state utilities, trained leaders and joined in lobbying work through the Connecticut Catholic Advocacy Network.
Contact Jeanie Graustein

Iowa
The Diocese of Des Moines is educating Catholics about the impact of gas emissions from agricultural products and how to reduce energy use in their churches and homes.
Contact Tom Chapman

Michigan/Indiana
A wide consortium of Catholic organizations has founded the Faith in Action Network to provide education, support advocacy with state legislators and change policy.
Contact Sr. Nancy Seubert, IHM

Minnesota
The Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis is forming a 25-member Environmental Justice Action Team to identify
leaders and hold four events around the state to launch their advocacy efforts.
Contact Robin Linde

New York
The Diocese of Rochester and the New York Catholic Conference are incorporating global climate change issues into their social ministry work. They offer small grants to other New York dioceses to do the same.
Contact Kathy Dubel

North Carolina
The Diocese of Charlotte and partnering organizations are forming a Greenbuilding environmental justice committee and conducted regional conferences to address global warming concerns.
Contact Joe Purello

Oregon
The Archdiocese of Portland is partnering with the University of Portland to produce educational materials, news articles in local publications and conduct parish workshops on climate change. They also are exploring ways to reduce the energy footprint of Catholic facilities and individual homes.
Contact Sr. Pat Nagle