To the editor:
Thank you for your editorial “Taking Care of Creation” on May 29. We do indeed need to take the time to treasure nature and give God thanks for the gifts he has showered upon us. We must also find ways to respond to Pope Francis’ call to safeguard God’s creation.
I am encouraged by recent actions taken by Catholic hierarchy. The Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences held a joint symposium at the Vatican in May on “Sustainable Humanity, Sustainable Nature: Our Responsibility.” Pope Francis is working on an encyclical on the issue to be published before the UN’s climate change summit in Paris in December 2015 or sooner. The U.S. bishops sent a letter in support of strong EPA regulations to reduce carbon pollution on May 29.
Our challenge now is how we, the Church, respond to this call to protect God’s creation. Our prayers, study of Church teachings, assessment of reports, resource conservation, and advocacy for policy changes — all are greatly needed.
Trudi Jenny, Madison