November 16, 2017
Dear President Trump and Members of the United States Congress:
As leaders of Catholic organizations in the United States, we write with one voice to urge you to reassert U.S. leadership in the global effort to address climate change. On behalf of people who are poor and vulnerable and future generations, we especially ask that you act based upon the best available climate science; fund the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; honor U.S. commitments to the Green Climate Fund; and meaningfully participate in the deliberations of the UNFCCC.
The Catholic Church has long called for a prudent approach to creation. In 1971, Paul VI wrote , “Man is suddenly becoming aware that by an ill-considered exploitation of nature he risks destroying it and becoming in his turn the victim of this degradation.” His successors, Saint John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have advanced the Church’s call for us to care for creation, a tenet of Catholic social teaching.
Catholic leaders across the nation and world have explicitly and consistently affirmed climate change as a moral issue that threatens core Catholic commitments, including to: protect human life, promote human dignity, exercise a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, advance the common good, live in solidarity with future generations, and care for God’s creation which is our common home.
The Catholic Church has for years supported actions to address climate change based upon the best available science. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) expressed in its 2001 statement Global Climate Change: A Plea For Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good: “In facing climate change, what we already know requires a response; it cannot be easily dismissed. Significant levels of scientific consensus—even in a situation with less than full certainty, where the consequences of not acting are serious—justifies, indeed can obligate, our taking action intended to avert potential dangers.”
We are thus obligated by our faith to act – especially now considering the November 3rd National Climate Assessment from thirteen federal agencies that concludes:
“[B]ased on extensive evidence, that it is extremely likely that human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases, are the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. For the warming over the last century, there is no convincing alternative explanation supported by the extent of the observational evidence.”
Guided by these principles and findings, we members of the Catholic Church in the United States ask that you:
1. Fund the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The UNFCCC and IPCC are indispensable institutions for the advancement of global diplomacy, action, science and knowledge on climate change. The United States has provided funding for these institutions since 1992, and we applaud the Senate Appropriations Committee’s recent bipartisan amendment to include $10 million for them in the Senate’s FY2018 budget. We echo the USCCB in its letter urging Congress to support this amendment and call for the Administration and Congress to support future allocations to ensure US participation and leadership in the global efforts to address climate change.
2. Meaningfully participate in the deliberations of the UNFCCC
Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions. As our nation enjoys vast resources and has been a primary contributor to climate change, justice requires that the U.S. display strong and consistent leadership within the UNFCCC. In this way, the U.S. can help secure science-based global commitments which rapidly reduce greenhouse gas pollution and avoid so-called “tipping points” towards unavoidable and catastrophic impacts.
3. Honor U.S. Commitments to the Green Climate Fund
One measure of a society’s greatness is how it treats people who are poor and vulnerable. As our Catholic tradition instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first, we urge you to honor U.S. commitments to the Green Climate Fund. The Fund helps less developed nations most impacted by climate change to build resilience to present and future impacts. Their peoples are disproportionately harmed by climate change despite often contributing least to the problem.
We heed the call of our Church, which implores, “As individuals, as institutions, as a people we need a change of heart to preserve and protect the planet for our children and for generations yet unborn.” We hope that you will accept our appeal, so that we may continue to dialogue and work together to manifest this change of heart.
Prayerfully submitted,
Sister Sara Dwyer, ASC
JPIC Coordinator
Adorers of the Blood of Christ, US Region
St. Louis, MO
Mary Lou Retelle
President
Anna Maria College
Paxton, MA
Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE
President and CEO
Ascension Health
St. Louis, MO
Michael Galligan-Stierle, Ph.D.
President
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Washington, DC
Michael J. Sheeran, S.J.
President
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Washington, D.C.
Sister Joseph Spring, SCC
President
Assumption College for Sisters
Mendham, NJ
Very Rev. James Gannon, OFM
Provincial
Assumption BVM Province
Franklin, WI
Kevin G. Quinn
President
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI
Ronald A. Slepitza, Ph.D.
President
Avila University
Kansas City, MO
Linda M. Bevilacqua, OP, Ph.D.
President
Barry University
Miami Shores, FL
Sister Marilisa Helena da Silva, OSF
Congregational Minister
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters
Reading, PA
Camille Grippon
Director, Ecology and Global Ministries
Bon Secours Health System, Inc.
Thomas D. Stegman, S.J., Ph.D.
Dean
Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
Boston, MA
Rachelle L. Karstens, JD
Executive Vice President
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA
Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D.
President
Cabrini University
Radnor, PA
Nancy H. Blattner, Ph.D., OPA
President
Caldwell University
Caldwell, NJ
John J. Hurley
President
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY
Sr. Jane Remson, O.Carm.
President
Carmelite NGO
New Orleans, LA
Sister Donna Markham OP, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Catholic Charities USA
Alexandria, VA
Most Reverend Richard Pates Bishop of Des Moines
Episcopal Liaison to the Catholic Climate Covenant
Dan Misleh
Executive Director
Catholic Climate Covenant
Washington, DC
Sr. Carol Keehan
President and CEO
Catholic Health Association of the United States
Washington, DC
Kevin E. Lofton, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
Catholic Health Initiatives
Englewood, CO
Sean Callahan
President and CEO
Catholic Relief Services
Baltimore, MD
James Ennis
Executive Director
Catholic Rural Life
St. Paul, MN
Joseph J. Fahey, Ph.D.
Chair
Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice
Weymouth, MA
Sr. Mary Anne Owens, SSND
Provincial Leader
Central Pacific Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame
St. Louis, MO
Yvette Dargy, SSA
Pauline Laurence, SSA
Joanne Dion, SSA
Sisters of Saint Anne Rhode Island,
Massachusetts and Louisiana
Lynn Babington
President
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI
Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D.
President
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA
Joanne M. Burrows, SC, PhD
President
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA
Philip L. Boroughs, S.J.
President
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA
Charles L. Flynn, Jr.
President
College of Mount Saint Vincent
Bronx, NY
Scott Wright
Director
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Washington, DC
Dr. Moya K. Dittmeier
Executive Director
Conference for Mercy Higher Education
Silver Spring, MD
Eli S. McCarthy, Ph.D.
Director, Justice and Peace
Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Silver Spring, MD
Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, S.J.
President
Creighton University
Omaha, NE
Sr. Julie Kubasak Visitatrix
Daughters of Charity, Province of the West
Los Altos Hills, CA
A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D.
President
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Rachelle Reyes Wenger, MPA
Director, Public Policy, and Community Advocacy
Dignity Health
Pasadena, CA
Rev. Thomas J. Ascheman SVD
President
Divine Word College
Epworth, IA
Sister Mary Murray, OP
President
Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary
Sparkill, NY
Sister Mary Brigid Clingman, OP
Promoter of Justice
Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI
Sister Patricia Siemen, OP
Prioress
Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan
Adrian, MI
Patrice Werner, OP
Prioress Dominican
Sisters of Caldwell
Caldwell, NJ
Lorelle Elcock, OP
Prioress Dominican Sisters of Hope
Ossining, NY
Kelly Litt
Justice Promoter
Dominican Sisters of Peace
Columbus, OH
Sr. Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP
Prioress General
Dominican Sisters of Springfield Illinois
Springfield, IL
Msgr. Stuart W. Swetland
President
Donnelly College
Kansas City, KS
Sister Janet Eisner, SND
President
Emmanuel College
Boston, MA
Mark R. Nemec, Ph.D.
President, Professor of Politics
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT
Sr. Maryann Mueller
JPIC coordinator
Felician Sisters of North America Leadership Team
Beaver Falls, PA
Anne M. Prisco, Ph.D.
President
Felician University
Lodi, NJ
Patrick Carolan
Executive Director
Franciscan Action Network
Washington, DC
Joe Monahan, T.O.R.
Director, JPIC
Franciscan Friars, T.O.R.
Loretto, PA
Sister Ann Marie Hudzina
General Minister
Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph
Hamburg, NY
Sister Marilyn Trowbridge, SFP
US Area Congregational Councilor
Franciscan Sisters of the Poor
Joseph M. McShane, S.J., Ph.D.
President
Fordham University
Bronx, NY
Dr. Keith Taylor, Ph.D.
President
Gannon University
Erie, PA
John J. DeGioia
President
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D.
President
Georgian Court University
Lakewood, NJ
Fr. Neil Pezzulo
1st Vice President
Mr. Tom Navin
Director, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Glenmary Home Missioners
Fairfield, OH
Tomás Insua
Executive Director
Global Catholic Climate Movement
Boston, MA
Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil.
President
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
Sister Diane Bardol, GNSH
Social Justice Coordinator
The Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart
Philadelphia, PA
Deanne H. D'Emilio, J.D.
President
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA
Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, Ph.D.
President
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA
Very Rev. Kevin Mullen, OFM
Provincial Minister
Holy Name Province
New York, NY
Sr. Rose Therese Nolta, SSpS
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, USA-JPIC
Northfield, IL
Christopher G. Kerr
Executive Director
Ignatian Solidarity Network
University Heights, OH
Mary Jane Herb, IHM, Ph.D.
President
Leadership Council IHM Sisters
Monroe, MI
Very Rev. Robert Campagna, OFM
Provincial
Immaculate Conception Province
New York, NY
Sister Judy Illig, IBVM
United States Province Leader
Institute of the Blessed Virgin
Mary Wheaton, IL
Rev. Jean-Denis Saint Felix
Secretary, Office of Justice and Ecology
Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States
Washington, DC
Kevin O'Brien, S.J.
Dean
Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Jeanne Colleran, Ph.D.
Interim President
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
Dr. Colleen Hanycz
President
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
Linda M. LeMura, Ph.D.
President
Le Moyne College
Syracuse, NY
Teresa Maya, CCVI
President, Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Congregational Leader, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word
Silver Spring, MD
David J. Livingston Ph.D.
President
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
James E. Collins
President
Loras College
Dubuque, IA
Mary Ann Gawelek
President
Lourdes University
Sylvania, OH
Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D.
President
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Jo Ann Rooney
President
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Brian F. Linnane, S.J., Ph.D.
President
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD
Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J.
President
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Michael A. Grandillo, Ph.D.
President
Madonna University
Livonia, Michigan
Brennan O'Donnell
President
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY
Fr. Martin Solma SM, Provincial
Bro. Joseph Kamis SM, Assistant Provincial
The Marianist Province of the United States
St. Louis, MO
Sr. Gretchen Trautman FMI, Provincial
Sr. Leanne Jablonski FMI, Councilor
Sr. Laura Leming FMI, Councilor
Sr. Nicole Trahan FMI, Councilor
The Marianist Sisters of the US Province
San Antonio, TX; Dayton, OH
Michael R. Lovell
President
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
Gerry Lee
Director
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Washington, DC
Matthew Shank
President
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
Patricia A. Lowery, MMS, MD
Coordinator for Health and IntraSociety Collaboration
Medical Mission Sisters
Philadelphia, PA
Arturo Chávez, Ph.D.
President and CEO
The Mexican American Catholic College
San Antonio, TX
Laurie M. Hamen J.D.
President
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA
H. James Williams, Ph.D.
President
Mount Saint Joseph University
Cincinnati, OH
Timothy E Trainor, Ph.D.
President
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Emmitsburg, MD
Maribeth Stewart-Blogoslawski
President
National Council of Catholic Women
Arlington, VA
Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, JD
Executive Director
NETWORK Lobby for Social Justice
Washington, DC
Judith Maxwell Greig, Ph.D.
President
Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA
Very Rev. Jack Clark Robinson, OFM
Provincial
Our Lady of Guadalupe Province
Albuquerque, NM
Diane E. Melby, Ed.D.
President
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX
Mary Jo Nelson, OLVM
President
Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters
Huntington, IN
Sr. Patricia Chappell
Executive Director
Pax Christi USA
Washington, DC
Sr Janice Klein, PBVM
President
Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Mother
Aberdeen, SD
Mark Peters
Director of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation
Priests of the Sacred Heart, US Province
Hales Corners, WI
Richard E. Beam
Chief Environmental Officer
Providence St. Joseph Health
Seattle, WA
Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.
President
Regis University
Denver, CO
Rev. Thomas Curran, S.J.
President
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO
Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, Ph.D.
President
Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA
Very Rev. Thomas Nairn, OFM
Provincial
Sacred Heart Province
St. Louis, MO
John J Petillo
President
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT
Joan Lescinski, CSJ
President
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA
Very Rev. James Gannon, OFM
Provincial
Assumption BVM Province
Franklin, WI
Very Rev. David Gaa, OFM
Provincial
Saint Barbara Province
Oakland, CA
Becky Roloff
President
Saint Catherine University
St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN
George E. Martin, Ph.D.
President
Saint Edward’s University
Austin, TX
Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D.
President
Saint John's University, NY
Queens, NY
Very Rev. Mark Soehner, OFM
Provincial
Saint John the Baptist Province
Cincinnati, OH
Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.
President
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO
Janice A. Cervelli
President
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN
James A. Donahue
President
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA
Brother William Mann, FSC
President
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona, MN
Brian J. Bruess, Ph.D.
President
Saint Norbert College
De Pere, WI
Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D.
President
Saint Peter’s University
Jersey City, NJ
Rev. Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale
President
Saint Thomas University
Chair of the Board Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Miami Gardens, FL
Michael E. Engh, S.J.
President
Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
Sister Charmaine Krohe, SSND
Provincial
School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province
Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J.
President
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
Mary J. Meehan, Ph.D.
Interim President
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
Mary Albert, OP
President
Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI
Sister Jane Iannucelli, SC
Sisters of Charity
Bronx, NY
LaDonna Manternach, BVM
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dubuque, IA
Mary Elizabeth Miller, SCN,
President
Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Western Province
Nazareth, KY
Sr. Toby Lardie, HM
Pastoral Leader
Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Pulaski, PA
Patricia McDermott, RSM
Judith Frikker, RSM
Patricia Flynn, RSM
Anne Marie Miller, RSM
Aine O'Connor, RSM
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas' Institute Leadership Team
Silver Spring, MD
Laura Reicks, RSM
Susan Sanders, RSM
Margaret Mary Hinz, RSM
Maria Klosowski, RSM
Karen Donahue, RSM
Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community
Omaha, NE
Sister Janice Bader, C.PP.S.
President
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O'Fallon, MO
O'Fallon, MO
Sr. Michaela Connolly, OP
Prioress
Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt
Blauvelt, NY
S. Maryann McMahon, OP
President
Sisters of Saint Dominic
Racine, WI
Janice Cebula, OSF
President
Sisters of Saint Francis
Clinton, IA
Sr. Marie Cigrand
Vice President
Sisters of St. Francis
Dubuque, IA
Sister Edith Wyss, OSF
Provincial Minister
Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity
Stella Niagara, NY
Sister M. Kathryn Dougherty, O.S.F.
Congregational Minister
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
Aston, PA
Kate O'Donnell, OSF
East Coast Coordinator, JPIC
Sisters of Saint Francis
Philadelphia, PA
Sr. Mary Pellegrino, CSJ
Congregational Moderator
Sisters of Saint Joseph
Baden, PA
Rosemary Brennan, CSJ
President
Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston
Brighton, MA
Sister Eileen Marnien SSJ
Vice President
Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill
Philadelphia, PA
Sister Jean Rosemary Noski
President
Sisters of Saint Joseph of Concordia
Concordia, KS
Sr. Louise Ann Micek
Program Assistant
Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange
Orange, CA
Sr. Judith Carroll
Provincial
Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur (Eastern Province)
Buffalo, NY
Sister Veronique Wiedower CSC
President
Sisters of the Holy Cross
South Bend, IN
Sr. Patricia Anastasio
President
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
New Windsor, NY
Julianne Brockamp, PBVM
President
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dubuque, IA
Rev. Joseph Rodrigues SDS
Society of the Divine Savior, USA Province
Milwaukee, WI
Sr. Sheila Hammond
Provincial
Society of the Sacred Heart, United States-Canada Province
St. Louis, MO
Christopher P. Puto, Ph.D.
President
Spring Hill College
Mobile, AL
Richard J. Gilfillan, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Trinity Health
Livonia, MI
Patricia McGuire
President
Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC
Eric F. Spina
President
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH
Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.
President
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI
Thomas M. Evans, Ph.D.
President
University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX
Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D.
President
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL
Julie H. Sullivan
President
University of Saint Thomas, MN
St. Paul, MN
Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., Ph.D.
President
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Sr. Susan Durkin, OSU
President
Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland
Pepper Pike, OH
Sr. Beatrice Hernandez, OSF
Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Coordinator
Wheaton Franciscans
Wheaton, IL
Michael J. Graham, S.J., Ph.D.
President
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
Reynold Verret, Ph.D.
President
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA
Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D.
President
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
