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