Statement
Summary of Moral principles from Bishops' Energy Statement
Summary of Moral principles from Bishops' Committee Energy Statement, Reflections on the Energy Crisis, A Statement by the USCCB Committee on Social Development and World Peace, April 2, 1981
Reflections on the Energy Crisis (USCCB, 1981) applies Catholic social teaching to national energy policy, arguing that energy decisions are moral choices that affect human life, the common good, and the poor. It emphasizes duties—stewardship of creation, restraint, and justice—over purely technical or economic calculations.
Core moral principles
- Upholding the right to life — Energy policy must protect human life and health as the first priority.
- Responsibility for creation — Humanity is part of creation and must use natural resources with respect and care.
- Accepting limitation in a Christian spirit — Individuals and societies should embrace restraint and willing sacrifice when needed for the common good.
- Striving for a more just society — Energy choices must promote economic and social justice, not deepen inequality.
- Special attention to the poor and minorities — Those with fixed or low incomes suffer first from higher energy costs and supply disruptions; policy must safeguard them.
- Participatory decision-making — Fairness requires inclusive policy processes that amplify voices usually excluded from energy debates.
Policy implications
- Prioritize safeguards for life and health when evaluating energy options.
- Design energy transitions that distribute burdens and benefits equitably, including targeted protections and assistance for low-income households.
- Pair conservation and supply strategies with measures that promote sustainable development domestically and internationally.
- Use public deliberation and outreach to ensure policies reflect diverse communities and those most affected.
Practical actions recommended
- Require impact assessments that include effects on vulnerable populations before adopting major energy policies.
- Create targeted subsidies, emergency protections, or exemptions for low-income households facing energy price shocks.
- Invest in public education and programs that encourage voluntary conservation and reasonable lifestyle adjustments.
- Ensure policymaking bodies solicit and support participation from minority, low-income, and rural communities.