Bishops Welcome Constructive Dialogue In Congress To Protect Creation And Address Climate Change

WASHINGTON— Bishop Frank J. Dewaneand Bishop Oscar Cantúwelcomed a new resolution introduced in Congress yesterday, March 15, by agroup of Republican legislators.

"The U.S. bishops welcome the commitment of a group of members of Congressto engage in constructive dialogue to protect our common home and to recognizethe impact of climate change," said Bishop Dewane in response to theannouncement of the Congressional resolution sponsored by several members inthe House of Representatives, including Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

Bishop Dewane is the Bishop of Venice, Florida and chairman of the Committee onDomestic Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of CatholicBishops (USCCB). Bishop Cantú is the Bishop of Las Cruces, and chairmanof the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the USCCB.

"The Catholic Church has consistently been an advocate for environmental stewardship and Pope BenedictXVI presciently called care for creation a 'sign of the times'", says BishopDewane. "Environmental challenges arenot going away and it is a sign of hope to see political leaders rise to meet achallenge that is the common responsibility of all."

"The co-sponsors of this resolution add their voices to an importantconversation, and are demonstrating that stewardship of creation is an issue thatrises above political partisanship. The dialogue is about what Pope Francis hascalled "one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day, climatechange", said Bishop Oscar Cantu. "It is in the interest of lawmakers in allparties to recognize the protection of the environment as an important responsibilityand to explore the numerous rationales for taking action. This resolution providesan important avenue toward answering the appeal in Laudato si' for 'a new dialogue…which includes everyone'".

---

Keywords:   Bishop Oscar Cantú, Las Cruces, New Mexico, BishopFrank Dewane, Venice, Florida, Committee on Domestic Justice and HumanDevelopment, Committee on International Justice and Peace, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI , USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops, climate change, creation, environment, Laudato si'.

###
MEDIA CONTACT
Judy Keane
O: 202-541-3200