November 16, 2017

Dear President Trump and Members of the Congress:

As leaders of Catholic organizations in the United States, we write with one voice to urge you to reassert U.S. leadership in the global effort to address climate change. On behalf of people who are poor and vulnerable and future generations, we especially ask that you act based upon the best available climate science; fund the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; honor U.S. commitments to the Green Climate Fund; and meaningfully participate in the deliberations of the UNFCCC.

The has long called for a prudent approach to creation. In 1971, Paul VI wrote , “Man is suddenly becoming aware that by an ill-considered exploitation of nature he risks destroying it and becoming in his turn the victim of this degradation.” His successors, Saint John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have advanced the Church’s call for us to care for creation, a tenet of Catholic social teaching.

Catholic leaders across the nation and world have explicitly and consistently affirmed climate change as a moral issue that threatens core Catholic commitments, including to: protect human life, promote human dignity, exercise a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, advance the common good, live in solidarity with future generations, and care for God’s creation which is our common home.

The Catholic Church has for years supported actions to address climate change based upon the best available science. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) expressed in its 2001 statement Global Climate Change: A Plea For Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good: “In facing climate change, what we already know requires a response; it cannot be easily dismissed. Significant levels of scientific consensus—even in a situation with less than full certainty, where the consequences of not acting are serious—justifies, indeed can obligate, our taking action intended to avert potential dangers.”

We are thus obligated by our faith to act – especially now considering the November 3rd National Climate Assessment from thirteen federal agencies that concludes:

“[B]ased on extensive evidence, that it is extremely likely that human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases, are the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. For the warming over the last century, there is no convincing alternative explanation supported by the extent of the observational evidence.”

Guided by these principles and findings, we members of the Catholic Church in the United States ask that you:

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1. Fund the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

The UNFCCC and IPCC are indispensable institutions for the advancement of global diplomacy, action, science and knowledge on climate change. The United States has provided funding for these institutions since 1992, and we applaud the Senate Appropriations Committee’s recent bipartisan amendment to include $10 million for them in the Senate’s FY2018 budget. We echo the USCCB in its letter urging Congress to support this amendment and call for the Administration and Congress to support future allocations to ensure US participation and leadership in the global efforts to address climate change.

2. Meaningfully participate in the deliberations of the UNFCCC

Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions. As our nation enjoys vast resources and has been a primary contributor to climate change, justice requires that the U.S. display strong and consistent leadership within the UNFCCC. In this way, the U.S. can help secure science-based global commitments which rapidly reduce greenhouse gas pollution and avoid so-called “tipping points” towards unavoidable and catastrophic impacts.

3. Honor U.S. Commitments to the Green Climate Fund

One measure of a society’s greatness is how it treats people who are poor and vulnerable. As our Catholic tradition instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first, we urge you to honor U.S. commitments to the Green Climate Fund. The Fund helps less developed nations most impacted by climate change to build resilience to present and future impacts. Their peoples are disproportionately harmed by climate change despite often contributing least to the problem.

We heed the call of our Church, which implores, “As individuals, as institutions, as a people we need a change of heart to preserve and protect the planet for our children and for generations yet unborn.” We hope that you will accept our appeal, so that we may continue to dialogue and work together to manifest this change of heart.

Prayerfully submitted,

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Sister Sara Dwyer, ASC JPIC Coordinator Sister Marilisa Helena da Silva, OSF Adorers of the Blood of Christ, US Region Congregational Minister St. Louis, MO Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Reading, PA Mary Lou Retelle President Camille Grippon Anna Maria College Director Paxton, MA Ecology and Global Ministries Bon Secours Health System, Inc. Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE President and CEO Thomas D. Stegman, S.J., Ph.D. Ascension Health Dean St. Louis, MO Boston College School of Theology and Ministry Michael Galligan-Stierle, Ph.D. Boston, MA President Association of Catholic Colleges and Rachelle L. Karstens, JD Universities Executive Vice President Washington, DC Briar Cliff University Sioux City, IA Sister Joseph Spring, SCC President Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D. Assumption College for Sisters President Mendham, NJ Cabrini University Radnor, PA Very Rev. James Gannon, OFM Provincial Nancy H. Blattner, Ph.D., OPA Assumption BVM Province President Franklin, WI Caldwell University Caldwell, NJ Kevin G. Quinn President John J. Hurley Aquinas College President Grand Rapids, MI Canisius College Buffalo, NY Ronald A. Slepitza, Ph.D. President Sr. Jane Remson, O.Carm. Avila University President Kansas City, MO Carmelite NGO New Orleans, LA Linda M. Bevilacqua, OP, Ph.D. President Sister Donna Markham OP, Ph.D. Barry University President and CEO Miami Shores, FL Catholic Charities USA Alexandria, VA

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Most Reverend Bishop of Des Moines Lynn Babington Episcopal Liaison to the Catholic Climate President Covenant Chaminade University of Honolulu Dan Misleh Honolulu, HI Executive Director Catholic Climate Covenant Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D. Washington, DC President Chestnut Hill College Sr. Carol Keehan Philadelphia, PA President and CEO Catholic Health Association of the United Joanne M. Burrows, SC, PhD States President Washington, DC Clarke University Dubuque, IA Kevin E. Lofton, FACHE Chief Executive Officer Philip L. Boroughs, S.J. Catholic Health Initiatives President Englewood, CO College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA Sean Callahan President and CEO Charles L. Flynn, Jr. Catholic Relief Services President Baltimore, MD College of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, NY James Ennis Executive Director Scott Wright Catholic Rural Life Director St. Paul, MN Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach Joseph J. Fahey, Ph.D. Washington, DC Chair Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice Dr. Moya K. Dittmeier Weymouth, MA Executive Director Conference for Mercy Higher Education Sr. Mary Anne Owens, SSND Silver Spring, MD Provincial Leader Central Pacific Province of the School Eli S. McCarthy, Ph.D. Sisters of Notre Dame Director, Justice and Peace St. Louis, MO Conference of Major Superiors of Men Silver Spring, MD Yvette Dargy, SSA Pauline Laurence, SSA Joanne Dion, SSA Sisters of Saint Anne Rhode Island, and Louisiana

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Jeff Duaime, C.S.Sp. Sister Patricia Siemen, OP Provincial Prioress The Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan Province of the United States Adrian, MI Bethel Park, PA Patrice Werner, OP Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, S.J. Prioress President Dominican Sisters of Caldwell Creighton University Caldwell, NJ Omaha, NE Lorelle Elcock, OP Prioress Sr. Julie Kubasak Dominican Sisters of Hope Visitatrix Ossining, NY Daughters of Charity, Province of the West Kelly Litt Los Altos Hills, CA Justice Promoter Dominican Sisters of Peace A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D. Columbus, OH President DePaul University Sr. Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP Chicago, IL Prioress General Dominican Sisters of Springfield Illinois Rachelle Reyes Wenger, MPA Springfield, IL Director, Public Policy, and Community Advocacy Msgr. Stuart W. Swetland Dignity Health President Pasadena, CA Donnelly College Kansas City, KS Rev. Thomas J. Ascheman SVD President Sister Janet Eisner, SND Divine Word College President Epworth, IA Emmanuel College Boston, MA Sister Mary Murray, OP President Mark R. Nemec, Ph.D. Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the President, Professor of Politics Rosary Fairfield University Sparkill, NY Fairfield, CT

Sister Mary Brigid Clingman, OP Sr. Maryann Mueller Promoter of Justice JPIC coordinator Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids Felician Sisters of North America Grand Rapids, MI Leadership Team Beaver Falls, PA

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Anne M. Prisco, Ph.D. Fr. Neil Pezzulo President 1st Vice President Felician University Mr. Tom Navin Lodi, NJ Director, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Patrick Carolan Glenmary Home Missioners Executive Director Fairfield, OH Franciscan Action Network Washington, DC Tomás Insua Executive Director Global Catholic Climate Movement Joe Monahan, T.O.R. Boston, MA Director, JPIC Franciscan Friars, T.O.R. Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil. Loretto, PA President Gonzaga University Sister Ann Marie Hudzina Spokane, WA General Minister Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph Sister Diane Bardol, GNSH Hamburg, NY Social Justice Coordinator The Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Sister Marilyn Trowbridge, SFP Philadelphia, PA US Area Congregational Councilor Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Deanne H. D’Emilio, JD President Joseph M. McShane, S.J., Ph.D. Gwynedd Mercy University President Gwynedd Valley, PA Bronx, NY Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, Ph.D. President Dr. Keith Taylor, Ph.D. Holy Family University President Philadelphia, PA Gannon University Erie, PA Very Rev. Kevin Mullen, OFM Provincial Minister John J. DeGioia Holy Name Province President New York, NY Washington, DC Sr. Rose Therese Nolta, SSpS Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, USA-JPIC Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D. Northfield, IL President Georgian Court University Rick Beckler Lakewood, NJ Director Environment Hospital Sisters Health System Springfield, IL

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Linda M. LeMura, Ph.D. Christopher G. Kerr President Executive Director Le Moyne College Ignatian Solidarity Network Syracuse, NY University Heights, OH Teresa Maya, CCVI Mary Jane Herb, IHM, Ph.D. President President Leadership Council Leadership Conference of Women Religious IHM Sisters Congregational Leader Monroe, MI Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Silver Spring, MD Very Rev. Robert Campagna, OFM Provincial David J. Livingston Ph.D. Immaculate Conception Province President New York, NY Lewis University Romeoville, IL Sister Judy Illig, IBVM United States Province Leader James E. Collins Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary President Wheaton, IL Loras College Dubuque, IA Rev. Jean-Denis Saint Felix Secretary, Office of Justice and Ecology Mary Ann Gawelek Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United President States Lourdes University Washington, DC Sylvania, OH

Kevin O'Brien, S.J. Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D. Dean President Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara Loyola Marymount University University Los Angeles, CA Santa Clara, CA Dr. Jo Ann Rooney Jeanne Colleran, Ph.D. President Interim President Loyola University Chicago John Carroll University Chicago, IL University Heights, OH Brian F. Linnane, S.J., Ph.D. President Dr. Colleen Hanycz Loyola University President Baltimore, MD La Salle University Philadelphia, PA Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J. President Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA

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Michael A. Grandillo, Ph.D. Arturo Chávez, Ph.D. President President and CEO Madonna University The Mexican American Catholic College Livonia, Michigan 48150 San Antonio, TX

Brennan O'Donnell Laurie M. Hamen J.D. President President Manhattan College Mount Mercy University Riverdale, NY Cedar Rapids, IA

Fr. Martin Solma SM, Provincial Ann McElaney-Johnson Bro. Joseph Kamis SM, Assistant Provincial President The Marianist Province of the United States Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los St. Louis, MO Angeles Los Angeles, CA Sr. Gretchen Trautman FMI, Provincial Sr. Leanne Jablonski FMI, Councilor H. James Williams, Ph.D. Sr. Laura Leming FMI, Councilor President Sr. Nicole Trahan FMI, Councilor Mount Saint Joseph University The Marianist Sisters of the US Province Cincinnati, OH San Antonio, TX; Dayton, OH Timothy E Trainor, Ph.D. Michael R. Lovell President President Mount Saint Mary’s University Marquette University Emmitsburg, MD Milwaukee, WI Maribeth Stewart-Blogoslawski Gerry Lee President Director National Council of Catholic Women Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Arlington, VA Washington, DC Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, JD Matthew Shank Executive Director President NETWORK Lobby for Social Justice Marymount University Washington, DC Arlington, VA Judith Maxwell Greig, Ph.D. Patricia A. Lowery, MMS, MD President Coordinator for Health and IntraSociety Notre Dame de Namur University Collaboration Belmont, CA Medical Mission Sisters Philadelphia, PA Very Rev. Jack Clark Robinson, OFM Provincial Our Lady of Guadalupe Province Albuquerque, NM

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Diane E. Melby, Ed.D. Very Rev. Thomas Nairn, OFM President Provincial Our Lady of the Lake University Sacred Heart Province San Antonio, TX St. Louis, MO John J Petillo Mary Jo Nelson, OLVM President President Sacred Heart University Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters Fairfield, CT Huntington, IN Joan Lescinski, CSJ Sr. Patricia Chappell President Executive Director Saint Ambrose University Pax Christi USA Davenport, IA Washington, DC

Very Rev. James Gannon, OFM Sr Janice Klein, PBVM Provincial President Assumption BVM Province Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Mother Franklin, WI Aberdeen, SD Very Rev. David Gaa, OFM Mark Peters Provincial Director of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Saint Barbara Province Priests of the Sacred Heart, US Province Oakland, CA Hales Corners, WI Becky Roloff Richard E. Beam, Chief Environmental President Officer Saint Catherine University Providence St. Joseph Health St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN Seattle, WA George E. Martin, Ph.D. Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J. President President Saint Edward’s University Regis University Austin, TX Denver, CO Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw, Ph.D. Rev. Thomas Curran, S.J. President President Saint John's University, NY Rockhurst University Queens, NY Kansas City, MO Very Rev. Mark Soehner, OFM Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, Ph.D. Provincial President Saint John the Baptist Province Rosemont College Cincinnati, OH Rosemont, PA

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Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. Sister Charmaine Krohe, SSND President Provincial Saint Louis University School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic- St. Louis, MO Midwest Province

Janice A. Cervelli Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J. President President Saint Mary’s College Seattle University Notre Dame, IN Seattle, WA

James A. Donahue Mary J. Meehan, Ph.D. President Interim President Saint Mary's College of California Seton Hall University Moraga, CA South Orange, NJ

Brother William Mann, FSC Mary Albert, OP President President Saint Mary's University of Siena Heights University Winona, MN Adrian, MI

Brian J. Bruess, Ph.D. Sister Jane Iannucelli, SC President Sisters of Charity Saint Norbert College Bronx, NY De Pere, WI LaDonna Manternach, BVM Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin President Mary Saint Peter’s University Dubuque, IA Jersey City, NJ Mary Elizabeth Miller, SCN, President Rev. Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Western President Province Saint Thomas University Nazareth, KY Chair of the Board Association of Catholic Colleges and Patricia McDermott, RSM Universities Judith Frikker, RSM Miami Gardens, FL Patricia Flynn, RSM Anne Marie Miller, RSM Michael E. Engh, S.J. Aine O’Connor, RSM President Sisters of Mercy of the Americas’ Institute Santa Clara University Leadership Team Santa Clara, CA Silver Spring, MD

Laura Reicks, RSM Susan Sanders, RSM Margaret Mary Hinz, RSM

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Maria Klosowski, RSM Sr. Mary Pellegrino, CSJ Karen Donahue, RSM Congregational Moderator Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community Sisters of Saint Joseph Omaha, NE Baden, PA

Sister Janice Bader, C.PP.S. Rosemary Brennan, CSJ President President Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston O'Fallon, MO Brighton, MA

Sr. Michaela Connolly, OP Sister Eileen Marnien, SSJ Prioress Vice President Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill Blauvelt, NY Philadelphia, PA

S. Maryann McMahon, OP Sister Jean Rosemarynoski President President Sisters of Saint Dominic Sisters of Saint Joseph of Concordia Racine, WI Concordia, KS

Janice Cebula, OSF Sr. Louise Ann Micek President Program Assistant Sisters of Saint Francis Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange Clinton, IA Orange, CA

Sr. Marie Cigrand Sr. Judith Carroll Vice President Provincial Sisters of Saint Francis Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur (Eastern Dubuque, IA Province) Buffalo, NY Sr. Edith Wyss, OSF Provincial Minister Sister Veronique Wiedower Sisters of Saint Francis of Penance and CSC President Christian Charity Sisters of the Holy Cross Stella Niagra, NY South Bend, IL

Sister M. Kathryn Dougherty, O.S.F. Sr. Toby Lardie, HM Congregational Minister Pastoral Leader Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia Sisters of the Humility of Mary Aston, PA Pulaski, PA

Kate O'Donnell, OSF Sr. Janice Bader, C.PP.S. East Coast Coordinator, JPIC President Sisters of Saint Francis Sisters of the most Precious Blood of Philadelphia, PA O’Fallon, MO O’Fallon, MO

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Sr. Patricia Anastasio Thomas M. Evans, Ph.D. President President Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed University of the Incarnate Word Virgin Mary San Antonio, TX New Windsor, NY Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. Julianne Brockamp, PBVM President President University of Notre Dame Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Notre Dame, IN Virgin Mary Dubuque, IA Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. President Rev. Joseph Rodrigues SDS University of St. Francis Society of the Divine Savior, USA Province Joliet, IL Milwaukee, WI Julie H. Sullivan Sr. Sheila Hammond President Provincial University of Saint Thomas, MN Society of the Sacred Heart, United States- St. Paul, MN Canada Province St. Louis, MO Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., Ph.D. Christopher P. Puto, Ph.D. President President University of San Francisco Spring Hill College San Francisco, CA Mobile, AL

Richard J. Gilfillan, M.D. Sr. Susan Durkin, OSU Chief Executive Officer President Trinity Health Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland Livonia, MI Pepper Pike, OH

Patricia McGuire Sr. Beatrice Hernandez, OSF President Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Trinity Washington University Coordinator Washington, DC Wheaton Franciscans Wheaton, IL Eric F. Spina President Michael J. Graham, S.J., Ph.D. University of Dayton President Dayton, OH Xavier University Cincinnati, OH Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. President University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI

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Reynold Verret, Ph.D. President Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA

Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. President Villanova University Villanova, PA

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