“Charity is certainly
greater than any rule.
Moreover, all rules
must lead to charity.”

OPJCC Priority Issue: Climate Change

Pope Francis: “This sister [Mother Earth] now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life. This is why the earth herself burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she “groans in travail” (Rom 8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.” Laudato Si: On Care of our Common Home

CLICK HERE for the entire Encyclical, Laudato Si: On Care of our Common Home

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “Our national debate over solutions to global climate change needs to move beyond the uses and abuses of science, sixty-second ads, and exaggerated claims. Because this issue touches so many people, as well as the planet itself, all parties need to strive for a civil and constructive debate about U.S. decisions and leadership in this area.

As people of religious faith, we bishops believe that the atmosphere that supports life on earth is a God-given gift, one we must respect and protect. It unites us as one human family. If we harm the atmosphere, we dishonor our Creator and the gift of creation. The values of our faith call us to humility, sacrifice, and a respect for life and the natural gifts God has provided.” Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good

Women Religious and reducing Carbon Footprint

The members of The Leadership Congregation of Women Religious (LCWR) have passed a resolution to reduce their carbon footprint.

“Faithful to our calling to foster the interconnectedness of all creation and building on the strength of past resolutions and actions, we, the members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, resolve to take measurable steps to reduce our congregational/community carbon footprint.”

Read an article Joint CMSM-LCWR Resolution on Climate Change.

Climate Change Statement of the Vincentian Family Social Justice Representatives:

We, the social justice representatives of the Vincentian Family of North America, invite us all to respond to the crisis of global climate change as one of the central ethical issues of our time.

Faithfulness to our charism challenges us:

• To efficacious compassion toward the brokenness of Earth and its life systems;
• As Vincent de Paul challenged us, to see persons living in poverty and on the margins as Christ and to understand that they suffer first from the effects of global climate change;
• To learn to discern and celebrate the presence of God in Earth;
• To evaluate our lifestyle choices;
• To integrate this heightened awareness in our consciousness, congregational documents and actions.

The social justice representatives of the Vincentian Family of North America include:

• Congregation of the Mission, Eastern and Western Provinces
• Ladies of Charity USA
• Sisters of Charity Federation office
• Sisters of Charity of Halifax, NS
• Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, KY
• Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, PA
• Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, NY
• MISEVI-USA
• Daughters of Charity, Provinces of St. Louise and the West
• Sisters of Charity Federation NGO
• Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, OH
• Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, KS
• Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, SC
• Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, NJ
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul Canada