The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joins 34 faith leaders in welcoming a Republican resolution on climate change, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-6), and fourteen other Republican members of Congress on March 15, 2017.
On behalf of Maryknoll missioners who witness the impacts of climate change on some of the world’s most vulnerable communities every day, we are grateful for the Republican representatives who support the resolution which affirms the impacts of climate change, acknowledges that human activity has contributed to these changes, and calls on Congress to work constructively on solutions. Their leadership will advance bipartisan dialogue in Congress on climate solutions.
The full text of the letter reads:
Dear Member of Congress:
Our diverse faith traditions are guided by principles of compassion, justice, dialogue, and stewardship. We believe that it is the moral responsibility of our nation – and our sacred task as people of faith – to act to address climate change. We feel a special calling to pray and work to overcome the divisions and fears that have prevented action to address one of the greatest threats to current and future generations.
In this spirit, we welcome the resolution introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Rep. Ryan Costello (PA-6), and fourteen other Republican members of Congress on March 15th^ that affirms the impacts of climate change, acknowledges that human activity has contributed to these changes, and calls on Congress to work constructively on solutions. We see this resolution as a much-needed step towards continuing bipartisan resolve for action within Congress. We encourage every member in the House of Representatives to co-sponsor this resolution.
Climate change is so great a challenge that it transcends political, faith, and social divides. As people of faith, we are rooted in the practice of emphasizing our common values in order to advance cooperation and overcome partisanship. All voices are needed to solve climate change, and the resolution provides a space for the House to join the dialogue.
We thank those members of Congress who are co-sponsoring the resolution. We ask that other members consider co-sponsoring this resolution as a statement of our shared moral obligation. We look forward to working with you in the coming months to foster a spirit of bipartisan dialogue within Congress so that together, we can create solutions to address climate change for the well-being of our common future.
Blessings,
Diane Randall
Executive Secretary
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Rev. Paula Dempsey
Director of Partnership Relations
Alliance of Baptists
Sister Simone Campbell, SSS
Executive Director
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Joan Marie Steadman, CSC
Executive Director
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Dr. Steve Timmermans
Executive Director
Christian Reformed Church in North America
Kyle Meyaard-Schaap
National Organizer and Spokesperson
Young Evangelicals for Climate Action
Jim Wallis
President and Founder
Sojourners
David Bernstein
President and CEO
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner
Director
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Reverend John L. McCullough
President and CEO
Church World Service
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb
Chair of the Board
The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
Sister Patricia McDermott, RSM
President
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Irene Keim
Chair of the Board
Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth
J Ron Byler
Executive Director
Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
Rev. Peter Morales
President
Unitarian Universalist Association
Stan Becker
Clerk
Quaker Earthcare Witness
Rev. Jimmie Ray Hawkins
Director
Office of Public Witness, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Rev. Sally Bingham
President and Founder
Interfaith Power and Light
Reverend Tim Mulroy, SSC
U.S. Regional Director
Missionary Society of St. Columban
Sharon E. Watkins*
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Rev. Fletcher Harper
Executive Director
GreenFaith
Shan Cretin
General Secretary
American Friends Service Committee
Josh Zinner
CEO
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
Rebecca Linder Blachly
Director, Office of Government Relations
The Episcopal Church
The Rev. Amy E. Reumann
Director, Advocacy
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Sandy Sorensen
Director, Washington Office
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
Bishop W. Darin Moore
Presiding Prelate of the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District
AME Zion Church
Marie Dennis
Co-President
Pax Christi International
Adin Strauss
General Director
Soka Gakkai International-USA Buddhist Association (SGI-USA)
Patrick Carolan
Executive Director
Franciscan Action Network
Colin Saxton*
General Secretary
Friends United Meeting
Gerry Lee
Executive Director
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Sr. Mary Ann Smith
Social Concerns
Eastern Region, USA
Maryknoll Sisters
Shantha Ready Alonso
Executive Director
Creation Justice Ministries
Very Reverend Kevin J. Mullen, O.F.M.
Provincial Minister
Holy Name Province - Franciscan Friars
*Affiliation listed for identification purposes only
Photo: Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after the devastating earthquake in 2010. Haiti is considered one of the top ten countries vulnerable to extreme climate-related events, such as such as droughts, cyclones, landslides and sea-level rise, according the 2015 edition of the Climate Change and Environment Risk Atlas published by Maplecroft.
