Unprecedented climate appeal from global South bishops

A 34-page declaration was issued by the Episcopal Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar. Together, they represent 821 million Catholics.

The first-of-its-kind communiqué called for the end of fossil fuels while urging nations to avoid false “green” solutions that perpetuate exploitation of natural resources, ecosystems and people.

“Abandoning fossil fuels is not only necessary to reduce emissions, but also to repair an ecological and moral debt to the global South and communities affected by pollution, extraction and climate change,” said the declaration.

It laid out an expansive Catholic vision for the United Nations November climate summit, COP30, in Brazil.

“At COP30, we demand that states take transformative action based on human dignity, the common good, solidarity and social justice, prioritising the most vulnerable, including our sister Mother Earth,” the bishops said.

They described the UN climate gathering as a moment for the Church “to reaffirm its prophetic stance”.

“The Church will not remain silent. We will continue to raise our voice alongside science, civil society and the most vulnerable, with truth and consistency, until justice is done.”

The bishops called for an “ecological conversion that transforms the current model of development based on extractivism, technocracy and the commodification of nature”.

The declaration was presented to Pope Leo XIV in a July 1 audience. The next day, Pope Leo announced the theme “Seeds of Peace and Hope” for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, set for September 1.

Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the Pope said the “Bible provides no justification for us to exercise ‘tyranny over creation’”.

In his July 2 message, the Pope said three things are necessary for genuine environmental justice: prayer, determination and concrete actions. Insisting that environmental justice is not an “abstract concept” or a “distant goal”, the Holy Father said “now is the time to follow words with deeds”.

“By working with love and perseverance, we can sow many seeds of justice and thus contribute to the growth of peace and the renewal of hope,” he said.  

FULL STORY

Bishops of Asia, Africa, Latin America unite in unprecedented climate appeal (By Brian Roewe/National Catholic Reporter)

Leading African, Asian, Latin American prelates issue joint call for climate justice | Catholic Culture (CWN)

A call for climate justice and the common home (Catholic episcopal conferences and councils of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean)

Pope Leo XIV: The environment should not be a ‘bargaining chip’ to wield power, exploit the poor (CNA)

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Message of the Holy Father for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (Pope Leo XIV text in full)