Catholic Bishops' Statements on Climate Change: Food for Thought

Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." --Genesis 1:26

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change (www.catholicsandclimatechange.org) was launched in 2006 to help the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Catholic community address issues such as: What are the moral implications of climate change? Who is most impacted? What should the Catholic community do?  Our bishops say: “We … call for a civil dialogue and prudent and constructive action to protect God’s precious gift of the earth’s atmosphere with a sense of genuine solidarity and justice for all God’s children.”

The Catholic Principles and Teachings applied to the issue of global climate change are (1) Prudence: thoughtful, deliberate, and reasoned action, (2) Poverty: concern for those least able to bear the burden, and (3) the Common Good: promotion of solidarity over self-interest. (www.catholicsandclimatechange.org)

Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good is the title of a statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The statement begins: “As people of faith, we are convinced that ‘the earth is the Lord's and all it holds’ (Ps 24:1). Our Creator has given us the gift of creation: the air we breathe, the water that sustains life, the fruits of the land that nourish us, and the entire web of life without which human life cannot flourish. All of this God created and found ‘very good.’ We believe our response to global climate change should be a sign of our respect for God's creation.”  Read the entire statement at: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/globalclimate.shtml

The earth is the LORD'S and all it holds, the world and those who live there. – Psalm 24:1

First Fridays for Food Security

US Bishops Challenge: First Fridays for Food Security.  

On every first Friday for a year, eat meals that cost only as much as is allotted for a family of your size who would be on food stamps.  You will probably discover a big gap between the actual cost of your normal meals and the budget available using food stamps.  Your efforts may require a partial fast, and be a spiritual sacrifice.  Participating in this First Friday fast can help you be open to the Holy Spirit and walk in solidarity with all those for whom access to adequate, nutritious food is difficult.  Learn the details on Facebook (First Fridays for Food Security) or http://usccb.org/sdwp/Fasting-Resource-Intro-May-6.pdf

Why Do Catholics Fast? 
“Voluntary fasting from food creates in us a greater openness to God's Spirit and deepens our compassion for those who are forced to go without food. The discomfort brought about by fasting unites us to the sufferings of Christ. Fasting should bring to mind the sufferings of all those for whom Christ suffered.”   -- United States Catholic Bishops, Penitential Practices for Today’s Catholics, 2000