The Pope’s reflections on climate change:
In May 2015, Pope Francis released his encyclical letter, Laudato si’ (LS), addressed “to every person living on this planet.” In this letter, the Pope identifies Climate as a common good, belonging to all and meant for all (LS25). He states that “climate change represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity today” (LS 25).
Action on Climate Change:
- 2015-2016: A Climate Petition by the Global Catholic Climate Movement circulated around the world with support of Pope Francis and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC).
- 2015: The President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), wrote a letter to Minister of Environment & Climate Change upon her appointment.
- 2015: Global Catholic Climate Movement coordinated a #Pray4cop21 prayer chain during international climate change negotiations in Paris.
- 2015: The President of the CCCB signed a joint appeal by representatives of the world’s regional groupings of Episcopal Conferences to COP21. The appeal identified the Church as a witness to how climate change is affecting vulnerable communities and people, and included a 10-point policy proposal that links climate change to social injustice.
- 2007: The CCCB signed a joint appeal by Bishop’s Conferences around the world to G8 leaders, asking them to “take bold action on global poverty, health care, climate change, and peace and security.”
- 2002: Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs at the CCCB sent a letter to the Minister of the Environment encouraging him to follow through with ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. “The challenges of climate change are deeply moral as well as spiritual. We add our voices to those who are insisting upon a healthy planet, and asking for political will to ensure it remains so.”
Interfaith Statements:
- 2015: President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops signed on to the Canadian Council of Churches’ statement: On Promoting Climate Justice and Ending Poverty in Canada.
- 2011: Development and Peace signed the Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change.
Resources Available:
- Development and Peace (DP) has educational campaign materials on human development within ecological justice available on their website
- The Global Catholic Climate Movement has published an Eco-Parish Guide: A practical guide on reducing emissions, promoting low-carbon lifestyles, and caring for those harmed by climate change. Written for Catholic parish priests, Pastors, and staff, and for pastoral councils and Care for Creation Teams
- The Catholic Climate Covenant has resources to help you form your own creation care team
- Ecumenical sermons, small group studies, songs, prayers, and opportunities for action at cpj.ca/climate
Please note: CPJ has compiled this resource using publicly available information to help people of faith join the action already being taken by their national church. It is not meant as a comprehensive history, but if we’ve missed something important please let us know by emailing ac.jpc @etamilc.