By Deacon Tom Cervone, Ph.D., Sister Maureen Houlihan, D.C., and Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed. M.S.
Our Mother Earth
Editor’s note: This series takes a deeper look at Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical ― On Care for Our Common Home, Laudato Si’
Did you know the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development sent a letter to Congress on Budget Reconciliation and Climate Change on June 8, 2022, supporting $555 billion in climate investments, $320 billion in clean-energy tax credits, $20 billion in agricultural-conservation investments, and $105 billion investments in resilience, such as wildfire-mitigation projects and forest preservation? The USCCB also encouraged people of faith to take action, and contact elected representatives to express their concerns and opinions on upcoming legislation. Such investments are needed to meet the Paris Agreement goals to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. Jose Aguto, Executive Director of Catholic Climate Covenant says, “such actions will be a civilizational game-changer.”
Within “Care for Creation,” the USCCB described how Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II were instrumental in environmental reform. The USCCB also said, “We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, and to live our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.” On June 15, 2001, the USCCB published Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good. A noteworthy example of climate change is featured in the article “As the Great Salt Lake Dries Up, Utah Faces an Environmental Nuclear Bomb” (Christopher Favelle, 6/9/22, The New York Times).
On May 18, 2021, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego, California, presented a heartfelt speech at a Catholic Climate Conference. His passionate words focused on the fragility of the planet and how humankind is exploiting many places in the world – like the Amazon rainforest. He sounded an alarm to stop climate change because it is our duty to our Creator and to future generations. One powerful moment for him was when young people, in an accusatory way, pointed to him and others on the Amazon Synod to do more. He offered the carbon tax as one method to reduce carbon dioxide from the air. He said, “In the end of our lives, we want to see a world more beautiful than how we received it,” and asked Catholics to speak with legislators; form groups to educate others; and take action now.
On May 20, 2020, the USCCB had a “Laudato Si’” Roundtable that included Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; then-auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron of Los Angeles, California (now bishop of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota); and Bishop McElroy. The moderator was Sister Marianne Comfort from the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. This roundtable addressed” Laudato Si’” questions such as:
- What was your most favorite phrase?
- How has the message been received?
- What most influenced Pope Francis?
- How does it invite Catholics?
- What have we learned?
Responses varied, but the consensus was that “Laudato Si’” is a wake-up call for humankind – and that the planet will experience many deaths and illnesses in the future if we do not address climate change now. How we respond to Pope Francis’ call makes all the difference in the world.
What can we do? Visit:
https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/index.cfm
https://catholicclimatecovenant.salsalabs.org/encountercampaignactionalert-a
https://www.usccb.org/resources/letter-congress-budget-reconciliation-and-climate-change-june-8-2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-URAa1bYdI&list=PLXjILMNokmN46t53RBqzRReZCjgzxep_L&index=9&t=4s
“Care for creation, and especially the climate that affects all life on Earth, is integral to the care for humanity” (Archbishop Paul Coakley).
Dr. Tom Cervone is a deacon at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Evansville, Indiana with 50 years of experience in ecology. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University, a Franciscan University. Sister Maureen Houlihan, D.C. is a support sister on the Seton Harvest Farm started by the Daughters of Charity in response to the Communities - Care of Mother Earth. This CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Farm grows all-natural produce for shareholders and the poor. Nicole Cervone-Gish, Ed. MS. is an award-winning ELL (English Language Learner) teacher, who lives in Evansville, Indiana with her family.