Statement: As COP 29 Convenes, “Consider the Impact of Climate Change Policies on Poor and Vulnerable”
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, and Mr. Sean Callahan, November 8, 2024

Letter to Congress Regarding the Providing Reliable, Objective, Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency (PROVE IT) Act
Archbishop Boris Gudziak and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, October 16, 2024

Statement on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation I Press Release
Archbishop Boris Gudziak and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, September 1, 2024

Letter to Congress on FY 2025 Agriculture Appropriations Legislation
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, Ms. Kerry Alys Robinson, Mr. Sean Callahan, Mr. James Ennis, and Mr. John Berry, June 10, 2024

Letter to Congress on FY2025 Appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency and for the Department of the Interior
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, May 10, 2024

Letter to Congress on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act (RECA)
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, May 7, 2024

Letter to Congress Regarding the FY 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, Bishop Mark J. Seitz and Mr. Sean Callahan, April 25, 2024

Comments on Proposed EPA Regulations on Lead and Copper in Drinking Water
February 5, 2024

Letter to Congress in Support of the FOREST Act
Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, December 13, 2023

COP 28: U.S. Bishops Call for International Climate Policies that Promote Justice
Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, November 29, 2023

Letter to Congress Regarding the Recovering America's Wildlife Act
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, November 27, 2023

USCCB Welcomes New Exhortation on the Environment 
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, October 4, 2023

Statement on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation I Newsroom Statement
Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop David J. Malloy, September 1, 2023

Comment on Four Proposed EPA Emissions Regulations
June 30, 2023

Letter to Congress Regarding Appropriations for Federal Agencies Charged with Care for the Environment
Most Reverend Borys Gudziak, June 23, 2023

Letter to Congress Regarding FY 2024 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations
Bishop David J. Mally and Mr. Sean Callahan, June 9, 2023

Letters to Congress Concerning the FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Legislation
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop David J. Malloy, Mr. Anthony Granado, Mr. Sean Callahan, and Mr. James Ennis, June 8, 2023

Letter to Congress Regarding the Trillion Trees and Natural Carbon Storage Act
Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop David J. Malloy, May 16, 2023

Letter to Congress on Save Our Sequoias Act
Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop Gerald E. Wilkerson, May 10, 2023

Letter to Congress Regarding FY 2023 Farm Bill
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop David J. Malloy, Mr. Sean Callahan, Sr. Donna Markham, Mr. James Ennis, and Mr. Ralph Middlecamp, April 24, 2023

Testimony Before U.S. House of Representatives Regarding FY 2024 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations
Bishop David J. Malloy, April 14, 2023

Coalition Letter to E.P.A. Administrator with Comments on Proposed Soot Standard
March 28, 2023

Coalition Letter to EPA Administrator with Comments on Proposed Methane Pollution Standard
February 13, 2023

Bishop Chairmen Issue Reflection on World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Bishop David J. Malloy, September 1, 2022

Statement on World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation: Listen to the Voice of Creation
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Bishop David J. Malloy, September 1, 2022

Statement Welcoming Legislation on Environment and on Drug Prices
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, August 9, 2022

Letter to Congress on Inflation Reduction Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, August 1, 2022

Statement: After "Dobbs," Congress Must Come Together to Protect Life and Promote the Common Good
August 1, 2022

Letter to Congress Regarding the Save Our Sequoias Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Bishop Gerald E Wilkerson, July 29, 2022

Statement on Supreme Court’s Climate Regulation Ruling
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, July 1, 2022

Letter to Congress Requesting Increase in FY 2023 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations
Bishop David J. Malloy and Mr. Sean Callahan, June 28, 2022

Letter to Congress on Increasing FY2023 Appropriations for Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Interior
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, June 21, 2022

Letter to Congress on Budget Reconciliation and Climate Change
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, June 8, 2022

Letter to Congress in Support of the FOREST Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Bishop David J. Malloy, May 23, 2022

U.S. Bishops’ Chairman Expresses Gratitude for Restoration of Regulatory Provisions for National Environmental Policy Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, April 25, 2022

Letter to U.S. Senate on National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, April 21, 2022

Bishop Chairmen Commend Life-Affirming Provisions in Budget Agreement
Archbishop William E. Lori, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Bishop David J. Malloy, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, March 11, 2022

Comments on Proposed Methane Standards Submitted to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
January 31, 2022

Catholic Leaders Call for Global Discernment and Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis at COP26
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop David J. Malloy, Mr. Sean Callahan, October 31, 2021 

Letter to Congress on Federal Budget Reconciliation
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop Michael C. Barber, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville , September 7, 2021

Letter to Congress Regarding the Growing Climate Solutions Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Mr. James Ennis, September 7, 2021

Statement on Upcoming World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Bishop David J. Malloy, Bishops September 1, 2021

U.S. Bishops’ Chairman Grateful to Senate for Passing Infrastructure Bill, Signals Need for Additional Action
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, August 10, 2021

Letter to Congress Regarding PFAs Action Act of 2021
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, July 19, 2021

Letter to Congress Regarding Appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, June 16, 2021

U.S. Bishop Chairmen Express Support for Commitments at Leaders Summit on Climate
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop David J. Malloy, April 26, 2021

Letter to Congress Concerning Legislation on Infrastructure
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, and Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, April 22, 2021

Letter to Congress in Support for the Trillion Tree and Natural Carbon Storage Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop David J. Malloy, April 12, 2021

U.S. Bishops’ Domestic Chairman Expresses Support of Executive Orders Protecting the Environment
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, February 3, 2021

Catholic Leaders Express Hope with President’s Announcement that U.S. Will Rejoin the Paris Agreement on Climate Change
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop David J. Malloy, and Sean L. Callahan, January 21, 2021

Convening of Catholic Leaders with Senate Climate Solutions Caucus Co-Chairs
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, October 1, 2020

Bishop Chairmen Issue Statement for World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, Bishop David J. Malloy, September 1, 2020

Bishop Chairman Issues Statement in Celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of Laudato Si’
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, August 18, 2020

Letter to Senate Regarding FY2021 Appropriations for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, July 10, 2020

Bishop Chairman Issues Statement in Celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of Laudato Si’
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, June 18, 2020

Summary of Activities of the U.S. Church in Response to Laudato Si’
June 18, 2020

Letter to the Senate on the Great Americans Outdoors Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, June 6, 2020

Written Testimony in Support of The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Bishop David J. Malloy, April 8, 2020

Comments Submitted to the Council on Environmental Quality Regarding an Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act
March 10, 2020

Letter in Support of the Bipartisan Senate Climate Solutions Caucus
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and Bishop David J. Malloy, February 18, 2020

USCCB and CRS Letter to Secretary of State Pompeo Regarding the Paris Agreement
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio,  Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and Mr. Sean Callahan, November 14, 2019

Letter to the Senate Expressing Support for the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, May 29, 2019

News Release: Concern Over New Mercury Rule Expressed by Chairmen of U.S. Bishops' Domestic Justice and Pro-Life Activities Committees; Bishops Call it "Troubling"
Bishop Frank J. Dewane and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, March 22, 2019

Comments Submitted to E.P.A. on Proposed Change to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule
March 18, 2019

U.S. Bishops' Domestic Chairman Reacts to Bipartisan Carbon Pricing Bill
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, January 25, 2019

Comments on Revising Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards
October 23, 2018

Letter to Senate Regarding FY 2019 Appropriations for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, June 25, 2018

Comments on Proposed EPA Rule on the Clean Power Plan
April 25, 2018

Letter to Secretary of State Tillerson in Support of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
Bishop Frank J. Dewane and Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, March 7, 2018

Letter to Congress Urging Funding for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Bishop Oscar Cantú and Bishop Frank J. Dewane, November 10, 2017

Bishops Welcome Bipartisan Bill that Seeks Climate Solutions
Bishop Oscar Cantú and Bishop Frank J. Dewane, September 15, 2017

Oral Testimony at CPSC on Rulemaking to Protect Children from Chemicals in Consumer Products
Ricardo Simmonds on behalf of the USCCB, September 14, 2017

Statement on Upcoming World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Bishop Frank J. Dewane and Bishop Oscar Cantú, August 31, 2017

Letter to Senate on Funding for Environmental Protection Agency
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, August 25, 2017

The Paris Agreement and Global Solidarity. . .
Bishop Oscar Cantú, National Catholic Reporter, June 1, 2017

Letter To National Security Advisor Regarding Our Shared Obligation To Care For The Environment
Bishop Oscar Cantú, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and Mr. Sean L. Callahan, May 5, 2017

Letter To Secretary Of The Treasury Regarding Our Shared Obligation To Care For The Environment
Bishop Oscar Cantú, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and Mr. Sean L. Callahan, May 5, 2017

Letter to Secretary of State Tillerson Regarding Care for Creation
Bishop Oscar Cantú, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and Mr. Sean L. Callahan, February 17, 2017

Statement on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski and Bishop Oscar Cantú, September 1, 2016

Letter to Senate regarding Protecting Nonprofit Energy-Efficiency Program and a National Carbon Standard
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, February 3, 2016

Oral Testimony at EPA Public Hearing on Implementation of Carbon Pollution Standards through the Proposed Federal Plan
Cecilia Calvo on behalf of Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski and Bishop Oscar Cantú, November 18, 2015

Letter to Congress on Green Climate Fund and Support of Agreement on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Bishop Oscar Cantú, Sr. Donna Markham, and Dr. Carolyn Woo, October 28, 2015

Letter to U.S. Department of State Supporting Efforts to Secure Global Commitments to Reduce Carbon Emissions
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Bishop Oscar Cantú, Sr. Donna Markham, and Dr. Carolyn Woo, October 28, 2015

Letter to Congress Regarding Protecting Creation and Carbon Pollution Standards
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, June 24, 2015

Letter Supporting CELAM's Petition For A Hearing On The Human Rights Implications Of Extractive Industries | en Español
Bishop Oscar Cantú, March 17, 2015

Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship
Reflection by Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, October 20, 2014 

Oral Testimony at EPA Public Hearing on Carbon Pollution Standards
Cecilia Calvo on behalf of Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski and Bishop Richard E. Pates, July 30, 2014

Comments to EPA on Carbon Pollution Standards for Existing Power Plants │en Español
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski and Bishop Richard E. Pates, July 30, 2014

Letter to EPA Administrator on Carbon Pollution Standards │en Español
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, May 29, 2014

Letter to President Obama on Climate Change
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, January 30, 2014

Sustainability and Catholic Higher Education: A Toolkit for Mission Integration

Friending Planet Earth. Catholic Youth Climate Change Program

Coalition Letter to Senate in support of Amendment (#1856) to the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 1392)
September 12, 2013

Letter to Senate Subcommittee on Energy on The Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, June 24, 2013

Letter to Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, February 21, 2013

Letter to President Obama on Climate Change
Religious leaders, including Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, January 29, 2013

Good Sense, Good Air: While we live we are responsible to the Lord
Keynote Address by Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, November 7, 2011

Comments on EPA Proposed Regulations on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, June 20, 2011

Background on Children's Health and the Environment
February 2011

Joint CRS/USCCB letter to Key Senators on Climate Change and Poverty
Bishop Howard Hubbard and Mr. Ken Hackett, June 3, 2010

Letter to Congress on Climate Change and Poverty
Bishop Howard Hubbard and Mr. Ken Hackett, June 24, 2009

Letter to G-8 Heads of State on Poverty and Climate Change
Presidents of Bishops' Conferences, June 22, 2009

Letter to House Committee on Energy and Commerce on Climate Change
Bishop Howard Hubbard and Mr. Ken Hackett, May 18, 2009

Letter from Bishops' Conferences to G-8 Leaders
Cardinal Francis George, June 17, 2008

Written and Oral Testimonies on Climate Change to Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Mr. John L. Carr, June 7, 2007

Letter to Senate on Climate Change Bill
Bishop Thomas Wenski, June 2, 2008

Joint Letters to Senate and House in Support of FY2008 New Funding for the National Children's Study
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, May 8, 2007

Letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Global Climate Change
Bishop Thomas Wenski, February 7, 2007

Joint Letters to Senate and House in Support of New Funding for the Continuation National Children's Study
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, January 8, 2007

Letter to Senators McCain and Leiberman on Global Climate Change
Bishop Thomas Wenski, October 6, 2006

Letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Global Climate Change
Bishop Thomas Wenski, March 13, 2006

Letter to EPA on Proposed Final Rule on Testing of Pesticides on Humans
December 12, 2005

Letter to Conferees on Human Testing of Pesticides
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, July 12, 2005

Letter to Senate on Climate Change
Bishop John H. Ricard, June 16, 2005

Letter to the House of Representatives in Support of Environmental Justice and Sewage Treatment Amendments
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, May 19, 2005

Letter to EPA on Mercury Emissions
Mr. John L. Carr, June 29, 2004

Letter to Congressman Ralph Regula on National Children's Health Study
April 27, 2004

Letter to Senator Arlen Specter on National Children's Health Study
April 27, 2004

Letter to EPA on Testing of Pesticides on Humans
Mr. John L. Carr, September 10, 2003

A Joint Letter from USCCB and CHA to Senator Collins on Mercury Reduction Act of 2003
May 15, 2003  

The Catholic Church brings a distinct perspective to the discussion of environmental questions, by lifting up the moral dimensions of these issues and the needs of the most vulnerable among us. This unique contribution is rooted in Catholic teaching calling us to care for creation and for "the least of these." (Mt 25:40) 

The Environmental Justice Program (EJP) is a program of the Secretariat of Justice and Peace, educates and motivates Catholics to a deeper reverence and respect for God's creation, and encourages Catholics to address environmental problems, especially as they affect poor and vulnerable people.

The program's distinctively Catholic foundation lies in Pope John Paul II’s 1990 World Day of Peace Message and the Catholic bishops’ pastoral statement on the environment, Renewing the Earth.

The Laudato Si’ Advocates Program is an internship administered by the Environmental Justice Program in association with the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) that cultivates renewal and ecological conversion by offering formation, mentorship, and professional experience in policy, outreach, and advocacy. 

Laudato Si’ Advocates promote integral ecology by advocating for federal policy and organizing community-based action in their state. Advocates commit to deepening their understanding of Catholic social teaching and environmental policy while developing advocacy skills through experiential learning. Advocates earn a monthly stipend, attend a training summit in Washington, D.C., receive monthly formation, and are given instruction in advocacy. This internship is fully remote throughout the academic year and is designed to accommodate students’ busy schedules.

Applications are now open for the 2023-24 academic year. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply early as applications are considered on a rolling basis and there is only one Advocate position per state. Applications received after June 1, 2023 will be considered only on an as-needed basis. 

For more information, please contact Sarah Carter at @email.

Celebrate and honor God's gift of creation and the Church's teaching on the environment with the following resources:

Querida Amazonia [Beloved Amazon]
Pope Francis has released a new Apostolic Exhortation, Querida Amazonia, or Beloved Amazon, which focuses on hearing the “cry of the poor” in the Amazon, protecting indigenous rights, solidarity, and action to care for God’s creation.  Read the exhortation. Use this study guide(en español) to reflect on the exhortation as an individual or with a group.

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Pope Francis has called for an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1, marking the beginning of the "Season of Creation," which lasts through the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4.  This bulletin insert/handout can help families and communities renew their commitment to care for our common home. Additional resources on this page, and those on the WeAreSaltAndLight.org Laudato Si' page are available to help you celebrate this day. A Prayer Service proposed for a Holy Hour or Benediction on this day of prayer was created by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Statement on World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski and Bishop Oscar Cantú, September 1, 2016

Children's storybooks on caring for God's creation

Primer on Care for Creation and  Pastoral Aids and Homily Helps for Catholic Social Teaching: Care for Creation/Stewardship.

ToGoForth.org Blog Posts on Laudato Si'

• Pope Francis' New Encyclical: Overview
• Pope Francis Hears Cries of Poor, Earth 
• An Invitation from a Franciscan Jesuit to Examine Our Consciences 
• Laudato Si' and the Environmental Refugee
• Integral Ecology and Respect for Human Life
• Lent, Pope Francis' Prayer Intention and Lessons from His Trip

Stories on Caring for Creation from WeAreSaltAndLight.org

• Seminarians visit farms, learn about rural challenges
• Reducing waste, caring for creation
• Catholic school teaches care for God's creation
• Parish forms a green team in response to Laudato Si'
• Students go green to care for God's creation
• Caring for God's creation, going solar

Quotes from Church Teaching on Ecology

Caring for God's Creation: Resources for Liturgy, Preaching, and Taking Action | en Español
In parishes, diocese and other Catholic organizations, we encourage efforts to bring about discussion on issues affecting the environment (climate change, consumption, pollution, stewardship of the land) that is civil and constructive, that invokes the virtue of prudence in seeking solutions, and that is more responsive to the needs of the poor, both here in the United States and abroad.

Sustainability and Catholic Higher Educationoolkit for Mission Integration

Global Climate Changelea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good
The bishops seek to contribute to a national dialogue on climate change by applying the wisdom of Catholic social teaching. The bishops also urge prudent action now on climate change to mitigate its effects on the poor and vulnerable. Read their statement.

Background on Global Climate Change
The effects of climate change are borne by the most vulnerable people, whether at home or around the world. The Catholic Church brings a distinct perspective to the debate about climate change by lifting up the moral dimensions of this issue and the needs of the most vulnerable among us.

Learn how CCHD is helping communities support environmental justice. Since 2013, CCHD as invested more than $3.2 million and partnered with over 70 community-based organizations and 36 dioceses in 25 states to support environmental justice.

Stories of Hope
See the CCHD-funded groups working for environmental justice.

CCHD Supports Major Environmental Justice Initiatives

CCHD Groups are Advocating for Environmental Justice