U.S. Bishops’ Chairman Urges the President to Honor The Paris Agreement

WASHINGTON—According to White House officials, President Donald J. Trump is reviewing the United States' commitment to the Paris agreement on climate change. The president tweeted that he will make an official statement on the agreement today.

In recent weeks, the United States Conference of Bishops (USCCB) and the president of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have urged administration officials, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster, to support U.S. international leadership on climate change.

Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, has issued the following statement to emphasize the importance of honoring the Paris Agreement in order to "mitigate the worst impacts of climate change" on our planet.    

Bishop Cantú's full statement follows:

"The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is on record supporting prudent action to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Our Conference of Bishops has vigorously promoted the teaching of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, on care for our common home. The Holy Father's encyclical letter, Laudato si', was timed in order to urge the nations of the world to work together in Paris for an agreement that protects our people and our planet. We hope the United States will honor the commitment it made there."

The full letters to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of the Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, and National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster can be found at:

https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/usccb-crs-letter-to-secretary-tillerson-on-care-for-creation-2017-02-17.cfm

https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/usccb-crs-letter-to-treasury-secretary-mnuchin-on-environment-2017-05-05.cfm

https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/usccb-crs-letter-to-nsa-mcmaster-on-environment-2017-05-05.cfm

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Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, President Trump, Paris climate agreement, Bishop Oscar Cantu, Pope Francis, Laudato si', climate change, Catholic Relief Services, United States.

Judy Keane
202-541-3200