Catholic Earthday Initiative: The St. Francis Pledge

Catholic Climate Covenant: The St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor Today the great gift of God’s Creation is exposed to serious dangers and lifestyles which can degrade it. Environmental pollution is making particularly unsustainable the lives of the poor of the world … we must pledge ourselves to take care of creation and to share its resources in solidarity.    —Pope Benedict XVI The Coalition is launching a nationwide ad campaign. It asks the question "Who's Under Your Carbon Footprint" and encourages widespread participation in the St. Francis Pledge. Endorsements from Bishops: 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)  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)  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).  

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change will be launching a unique and unprecedented initiative, A Catholic Climate Covenant and the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor. This ambitious project is in response to a growing desire by the Catholic community to respond, in faith, to climate change. It will also be a demonstration of a common Catholic commitment to care for God's creation and to stand with the poor and vulnerable people in our nation and around the world who face the impacts of a changing climate.

This effort will be launched during the Easter season in 2009.  At the center of the Covenant is The St. Francis Pledge calling Catholic individuals, groups and institutions to make a serious commitment to all of the following: PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God's creation and for the poor and vulnerable; LEARN about and educate others on the moral dimensions of climate change; ASSESS our participation-as individuals and organizations-in contributing to climate change (i.e. consumption and conservation); ACT to change our choices and behaviors contributing to climate change and; ADVOCATE Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact the poor and vulnerable.

More Info here http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/