Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus

Environmental Justice

Catholic Teaching

Vatican Statements  This link to the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change provides a listing of recent Vatican statements on the environment.

Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 World Day of Peace Message:  "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation"
In his 2010 World Day of Peace Message, Pope Benedict XVI says, "The environment must be seen as God's gift to all people, and the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations."  This site links to the Holy Father's message and educational resources.

Global Climate Change:  A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good
A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, June 15, 2001

Renewing the Earth:  An Invitation to Reflection and Action on Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching
A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, November 14, 1991

National Programs

Environmental Justice Program  This website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides a listing of U.S. Bishops statements on the environment as well as resources on what parishes, schools, and families can do to be good stewards of God's creation.

Faithful Stewards of God's Creation:  A Catholic Resource for Environmental Justice and Climate Change by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Catholic Coalition on Climate Change  The organization promotes awareness about the threat of global climate change.  This website has links to recent Vatican statements on climate change as well as simple things you can do to make a difference.

St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor - Catholic Climate Covenant - Leading national Catholic organizations are calling Catholic individuals and families, parishes and schools, religious communities, colleges and hospitals and other Catholic organizaitons to take a unique St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor.  To learn more about the Catholic Climate Covenant and to take the St. Francis Pledge, visit the Catholic Climate Covenant website.

National Catholic Rural Life Conference  NCRCL has extensive experience promoting stewardship of the land for rural, urban, and suburban communities.

Local Programs

Catholic Conference of Ohio  The CCO webpage on Climate Change provides a helpful listing of statements, resources, and links as well as information about state legislation, projects, and contacts.

Shepherd's Corner  This 160-acre farm operated by the Dominican Sisters of Peace offers education programs and activities on environmental stewardship.

Ohio Interfaith Power and Light  The organization encourages religious communities to go green.  They can also help churches conduct an energy audit.

Ohio Sustainable Agriculture  This site links to the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Sustainable Agriculture page.  Ohio Sustainable Agriculture Week is April 19-25, 2010.   This site also highlights the work of the Ohio Food Policy Council which serves to maximize the economic impacts of the food and agricultural system, support the development of local food systems and ensure healthy food access for all Ohioans.

Local Activities - Office for Social Concerns

Many parishes, schools, and groups in the diocese are working to promote good stewarship of the environment.  For information about local activities, contact the Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or send us an email at socmailbox@colsdioc.org.

Local Parishes Care for the Environment - The Catholic Times - July 27, 2008