Letter to President Barack Obama from Leaders of U.S. Congregations of Catholic Sisters

September 21, 2015

Dear Mr. President,

As the elected leaders of U.S. congregations of women religious, representing thousands of Catholic Sisters throughout the United States, we take the occasion of the state visit by Pope Francis to add our words of concern, as U.S. citizens, to those he expressed to the global community in his encyclical, Laudato Si – along with an urgent call for action.

We believe with Pope Francis that all nations have “a clear, definitive, and ineluctable ethical imperative to act” on climate change. None more so than the United States as we, historically, have been the world’s largest carbon polluter. As women religious who have dedicated our lives to working on the frontlines of many of the social and environmental issues of our day, we daily “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” We know at first hand that “we are not faced with two separate issues one environmental and the other social, but rather one complex crisis” that requires exceptional global leadership and a profound concern for the common good of the whole community of life to resolve.

Time is running out. As scientists have been warning, we risk irreversible impacts globally if we fail to take real and meaningful action now.

We thank you for the recent steps your Administration has taken through the Environmental Protection Agency to cut carbon emissions by U.S. power plants. We now urge that you do everything in your power to ensure the U.N. talks on climate change this December take the world off the catastrophic course that humanity is charting, which threatens to devastate God’s creation and rob future generations of life. We respectfully ask that you charge our U.S. representatives at the Conference of the Parties in Paris with the task of helping to negotiate a binding legal agreement among all nations that will keep global average temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius relative to pre-industrial levels.

Thank you.

In the abiding Spirit of our Creator,

U.S. Catholic Sisters (signatures attached)

cc: Todd D. Stern, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change

Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama

Congregational Leader Title Name of Congregation City/State Evelyn Eckhardt, DW Member of Leadership Team Daughters of Wisdom Ozone Park, New York Mary Patricia Driscoll, CCVI Council Member in Leadership Srs of Charity of Incarnate Word Houston, Texas Jeanne Comze,ois, SSJ-TOSF Vice President Srs of St. Joseph, Third Ord St. Francis Rice Lake, Wisconsin Dolores Kalina, RGS Councilor Sisters of the Good Shepherd Ft. Thomas, Kentucky Carole Griswold, HM Treasurer of the Congregation Sisters of the Humility of Mary Villa Maria,, Pennsylvania Mary Pat Cook, HM LeadershipTeam Sisters of the Humility of Mary Villa Maria, Pennsylvania Sister Ellen Carney, IHM Councilor for Temporal Resources Sisters, Servants of IHM Scranton, Pennsylvania Zenaida Nacpil, O.P. Mission Chapter Prioress Adrian Dominican Sisters Adrian, Michigan Sr. Kathleen Hutsko, SSMI Provincial Superior Sisters Servants of Mary Immac Sloatsburg, New York Sister Susan Francois, CSJP Leadership Team member Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Sister Paul Marie Gouthro, S.A. 2nd Councilor Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement Garrison, New York Angela Homoki-Szabo, S.S.S. US District Moderator Sisters of Social Service of Buffalo Buffalo, New York Sharon Brannen, FdCC Provincial Councilor Canossian Daughters of Charity Albuquerque, New Mexico Mary Bea Snyder, CHM Cabinet Member Congregation of the Humility of Mary Davenport, Iowa Ellen Taylor, FdCC Provincial Leader Daughters of Charity of Canossa Albuquerque, New Mexico Kristin Funari, CSJP Assistant Congregation Leader Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Sheila Lemieux, CSJP Congregation Leader Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Margaret Shannon, CSJP Congregation Council Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Natalie Rossi, RSM Leadership Councilor Sisters of Mercy NyPPaW Buffalo, New York Angela Golapi Palma CSC, AGP Councilor Sisters of the Holy Cross Notre DAme, Indiana Lenore N. Dowling, IHM Board member Immaculate Heart Community Los Angeles, California Anna Marie Reha, SSND Provincial Councilor School Sisters of Notre Dame St. Louis, Missouri Pat Prinzing, RSM Vice President Sisters of Mercy - NyPPa W Buffalo, New York Sheila Stevenson, RSM Councilor Sisters of Mercy - NyPPaW Buffalo, New York Margaret Magee, OSF Assoc Congregational Minister Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Allegany, New York Susan Cunningham, CSJ Provincial Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery West Hartford, Connecticut Marilyn Jean Hagedorn, CHM CHM Cabinet Member Cong of the Humility of Mary Davenport, Iowa Mary Rose Bumpus, RSM Leadership Team Member Srs of Mercy South Central Community Belmont, North Carolina Eva Bryan, RSC Councilor Religious Sisters of Charity San Pedro, California Mary Cecile Gunelson, CPPS Counsel Member Sisters of the Most Precious Blood O'Fallon, Missouri Frances Raia, CPPS Superior General Sisters of the Most Precious Blood O'Fallon, Missouri Sister Rose Marie Tresp, RSM Director of Justice Srs of Mercy South Central Community Belmont, North Carolina Sr. Lucy Meissen, CPPS General Council Srs of Most Precious Blood O'Fallon, Missouri Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama

Leadership Team, CSSF Leadership Felician Sisters of North America Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Brenda Cousins, CSC General Secretary Sisters of the Holy Cross Notre DAme, Indiana gabriela martinez, SSMN Provincial Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Fort Worth, Texas Sharlet Ann Wagner, CSC First Councilor Cong of the Sisters of the Holy Cross Notre Dame, Indiana Veronique Wiedower, CSC President Sisters of the Holy Cross Notre Dame, Indiana Therese Demers, O.P. Provincial Prioress Dominican Srs of the Roman Cong Lewiston, Maine Susan Sanders, RSM Leadership Team Member Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Omaha, Nebraska Barbara Blesse, OP Vicaress Dominicans of Springfield Springfield, Illinois Anne Myers, SSJ Congregational President Sisters of Saint Joseph Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Margaret Mary Hinz, RSM Leadership Team Member Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Omaha, Nebraska Sister Gertrude O'Connor, O.S.F. Provincial Vicaress Hosp. Srs of Third Order of St. Francis Springfield, Illinois Maureen O'Connor, OSF Provincial Superior Hospital Sisters of St Francis Springfield , Illinois Barbara Hudock, ASC Region Leader Adorers of the Blood of Christ St Louis, Missouri Maureen Erdlen, SSJ General Council Sisters of St. Joseph Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ellen Maroney, IHM President Sisters of IHM, Scranton Scranton, Pennsylvania Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP Councilor Dominican Sisters of Springfield Speingfield, Illinois Sister Patricia Gardner, OSF Councilor/Treasurer Sisters of St. Francis Sylvania, Ohio Patricia Lowery, MMS, MD Coordinator for Health Medical Mission Sisters Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Bernadette Morgan, RSC Regional Leader Religious Sisters of Charity Culver City, California Maria Hughes, ASC Regional Councilor Adores of the Blood of Christ St Louis, Missouri Janet McCann, ASC United States Region Councilor Adorers of the Blood of Christ Saint Louis, Missouri Sr. Kathleen Bryant, RSC Regional Vicar Religious Sisters of Charity Culver City, California Maureen Foltz, CCV U.S. Regional Coordinator Carmelite Sisters, Vedruna Washington, DC Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, M.S.C. Provincial Superior Miss Srs of the Sacred Heart of Jesus New York, New York Mary Byrnes, PBVM Councilor Srs of Presentation of the BVM New Windsor, New York Lucy Panettieri, MSC Provincial Councl Miss Srs of the Sacred a Heart of Jesus West Park, New ayork Sheila Walsh, RSM Council Member Sisters of Mercy Buffalo, New York Jean Marie Zirnheld, SSJ President Sisters of St. Joseph Clarence, New York Mary Alice Aschenbach, CIJ Executive Board Member Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor Inc. Rockville Centre, New York Valerie Heinonen, OSU Team Member Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk New York, New York Louise Alff, Louise Alff General Councilor Srs of St. Francis of Neumann Comm Syracuse, New York Elizabeth DiTolla, SU Regional Councilor Sisters of St. Ursula Rhinebeck, New York Mary Doyle, CSJ Regional Superior Sisters of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York Joan Anzalone, RCD Vice-President Sisters Of Christian Doctrine New York, New York Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama

Katherine Marie Bogner, SSMN Provncial Councillor Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Buffalo, New York Sister Mary Eamon Lyng, SSJ Major Superior Sisters of St. Joseph Watertown, New York Catherine Artale, C.I.J. Councilor Congregation of the Infant Jesus Rockville Center , New York Margaret Bishop, OSF Leadership Team Member Sisters of St. Francis Tiffin, Ohio Peggy McVetty, OP Councilor for Mission Dominican Srs. of Amityville, NY Amityville , New York Barbara Marie Cady, SU Regional Superior Sisters of St. Ursula Rhinebeck, New York Honora Nicholson, RSM Leadership Team Member Sistrs of Mercy Merion Station, Pennsylvania Nancy Zelma, OSF Provincial Councilor Srs of St. Francis of Penance Buffalo, New York Veronica Mendez, RCD President Srs of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine New York, New York Susan Bremer, OSU Councilor Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland Pepper Pike, Ohio Roberta Smith, OSF General Minister Srs of St. Francis Neumann Comm Syracuse, New York Antoinette Gutzler, MM Congregation President Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic Maryknoll, New York Maureen McGowan, RGS Member of the Leadership Team Sisters of the Good Shepherd Brooklyn, New York S. Josita DiVita, FDC 1st Provincial Councilor Daughters of Divine Charity Staten Island, New York Marilyn Pray, SSJ Congregational Vice President Sisters of St. Jospeh of Rochester Rochester, New York Geraldine Ching, OSF Assistant General Minister Srs of St. Francis of Neumann Comm Honolulu, Hawaii Maureen Steeley, SU Regional Councilor Sisters of St. Ursula Rhinebeck, New York Marylin Gramas, S.U. Regional council member Sisters of St Ursula New York, New York Sr. Barbara King, PBVM Councilor Srs of the Presentation of BVM Yonkers, New York Rosalyn Menard, R.G.S. Acting Province Leader Sisters of the Good Shepherd Astoria, New York Rosemary Riggie, SSMN Provincial Counselor Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Buffalo, New York Mary Ann Mayer, SSJ Councilor Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester Rochester, New York Mary Jane Deodati, RDC Leadership Team Sisters of the Divine Compassion Bronx, New York Martha Otterstedt, PBVM Vice-President Sisters of Presentation of BVM New Windsor, New York Judith O'Connor, OSU Councillor Ursuline Sisters, Cong of Tildonk Jamaica, New York Eileen Gannon, OP Leadership Team Dominican Sparkill Sparkill, New York Catherine Talia, OSU Province Leader Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk Jamaica, New York Mary Ann Buckley, SHCJ Province Leader Society of the Holy Child of Jesus Rosemont, Pennsylvania Sr. Sheila Walsh, RSM Council Member Sisters of Mercy Buffalo, New York Edith Wyss, OSF Provincial Minister Srs of St. Francis of Penance Stella Niagara, New York Antoinette DeAveiro, OP Councilor for Charism Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville Amityville, New York Judith Carroll, SSMN Provincial superior Sisters of St Mary of Namur Buffalo, New York Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama

Evelyn Lamoureux, DW Vicar Daughters of Wisdom Oceanside, New York Patricia Anastasio, PBVM President Srs of the Presentation of the BVM New Wondsor, New York Maryanne Ruzzo, SC Congregation Councillor Sisters of Charity, Halifax Wollaston, Massachussetts Roberta Kerins, SC Congregational Councilor Sisters of Charity New Hyde Park, New York Connie Kelly, OP Councilor Dominican Sisters of Hope Ossining, New York Catherine Patten, RSHM Provincial, Eastern US Province Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Tarrytown, New York Mary L. Hoevel, SND Pastoral Leader Sisters of Notre Dame Cleveland, Ohio Jane M Reilly, CSJ Councillor Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood Brentwood, New York Helen Kearney, CSJ President Sisters of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York Honora Nicholson, RSM Leadership Team Sisters of Mercy Merion Station, Pennsylvania Patricia Smith, RSM Leadership Team Member Sisters of Mercy Merion Station, Pennsylvania Margaret Bishop, OSF Leadership Team Member Sisters of St. Francis Tiffin, Ohio Judith Desmarais, SP Provincial Leader Sisters of Providence Renton, Washington Catherine Darcy, RSM Leadership Team Member Srs of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community Merion, Pennsylvania Patricia Vetrano, RSM President Srs of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community Merion, Pennsylvania Clare Arenholz, RDC Assistant Religious of the Divine Compassion White Plains, New York Carol Wagner, RDC President Sisters of the Divine Compassion White Plains, New York Diane Gerdeman, SND Delores Gatliff Sisters of Notre Dame Toledo, Ohio Sr. Greta Jupiter, SSF Congregational Leader Sisters of the Holy Family New Orleans, Louisiana Sandra Jean Sherman, OSU President Ursulines Sisters of the Sacred Heart Toledo, Ohio Therese Demers, O.P. Provincial Dominican Srs of Roman Congregation Lewiston, Maine Gemma Doll, OP Councilor Dominican Sisters of Peace Columbus , Ohio Susan Durkin, OSU President Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland Cleveland, Ohio Therese Leckert, O.P. General Councilor Dominican Sisters of Peace Columbus, Ohio Mary Caroline Marchal, SC Executive Council Sisters of Charity Cincinnati, Ohio Linda White, SND Local Superior of Motherhouse Sisters of Notre Dame Toledo, Ohio Sister Mary Ann Caulfield, OP Chapter Prioress Adrian Dominican West Palm Beach, Florida Carolyn Wolfbauer, OP Treasurer Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Sparkill, New York Monique Belanger, OP Provincial Councilor Dominican Srs of the Roman Cong Lewiston, Maine Marguerite Warren, OP Councilor for Wellness Amityville Dominicans Amityville, New York Consuelo Barrera, OP Vicaress Dom. Srs of St. Catherine of Siena Saratoga, California Alice Armata, OP Councilor Dom. Srs of St. Catherine of Siena Saratoga, California Susan A Snyder, OP Prioress Dom. Srs of St. Catherine of Siena Saratoga, California Mary Raymund Johnson, SND Local Treasurer Sisters of Notre Dame Toledo, Ohio Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama

Antoinette DeAveiro, OP Councilor for Charism Amityville Dominican Amityville, New York Mary Patricia Neylon, OP Prioress Sisters of st. Dominic Amityville, New York Paulena Williams, SND Teacher Sisters of Notre Dame Toledo, Ohio Maxine Young, SND Palliative Care Chaplain Sisters of Notre Dame Tol;edo, Ohio Corinne Sanders, OP General Councilor Adrian Dominican Sisters Adrian, Michigan Kathleen Gallagher, OP Councilor Dominican Sisters of Springfield Springfield, Illinois Ann Marie Lustig, OP Vice-President Dominican Sisters of Tacoma Tacoma, Washington Antoinette-Kitty Carter, O.P. Vicaress Dominican Sisters of Houston Houston, Texas Peggy McVetty, OP Councilor for Mission Srs. of St.Dominic Amityville, New York Eileen Ivory, OP Councilor Dominican Sisters Caldwell, New Jersey Numeriana Mojado, MM Vice-President Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic Maryknoll, New York Gloria Jones, OP Congregational Prioress Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Fremont, California Sr. Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP Prioress General Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL Springfield, Illinois Antoinette Gutzler, MM Congregation President Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic Maryknoll, New York Sharon Casey, OP Presdient Dominican Sisters Tacoma, Washington Julie Greig, O.P. Councilor Dominican Sisters of Houston Houston, Texas Patrice Werner, O.P. Prioress Sisters of St. Dominic Caldwell, NJ Julie Schwab, OP Leadership Team Sinsinawa Dominicans Sinsinawa, Wisconsin Patricia Koehler, OP Councilor for Stewardship/Treas. Amityville Dominicans Amityville , New York Maureen O'Connell, SL Executive Committee Loretto Community Jacksboro, TN Patricia Kremer, C.PP.S. Councilor Sisters of the Precious Blood Dayton, Ohio Mary Boesen, SL Executive Committee Sisters of Loretto El Paso, Texas Sean Fox, OSM Leadership Team Member Servants of Mary Naperville, Illinois Susan Sandes, RSM Team Member Srs of Mercy West Midwest Community Omaha, Nebraska Margaret Verhoff, C.D.P. Provincial Councilor Congregeation of Divine Providence Melbourne, Kentucky Pearl McGivney, S.L. President Sisters of Loretto Denver, Colorado Nelda Chafitelli, OSU Leadershi;p Team Ursuline Toledo, Ohio Carol Lichtenberg, SNDdeN Provincial Moderator Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Cincinnati, Ohio Carol Gregory, SND Provincial Leadership Sisters Of Notre dame Toledo, Ohio Marian Durkin, CSA Councilor Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Richfield, , Ohio Cecilia Taphorn, C.PP.S Vice-President/Councilor Sisters of the Precious Blood Dayton, Ohio Claudia Holtz, OSU Council Member Ursuline Convent of the Sacred Heart Toledo, Ohio Phyllis Kemper, OSU Congregational Minister Ursulines of Brown County St. Martin, Ohio Nancy Kinross, CPPS Councilor Sisters of the Precious Blood Dayton, Ohio Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama

Delores Gatliff, SND Provincial Superior Sisters of Notre Dame Toledo, Ohio Sandra Delgado, O.P. Vicaress Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, Michigan Margaret Efkeman, OSU General Minister Ursulines of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio Sr. Janet M. Peterworth, OSU President Ursuline Sisters of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky Mary Ann Barrett, OP Councilor Dominican Sisters ~Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, Michigan Kathleen Slesar, OP Vice-President Racine Dominicans Racine , Wisconsin Lisa Stallings, S.P. Vicar/General Councilor Sisters of Providence St Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana Sr. Karen Shirilla, SJ Secretary Servants of Jesus Dearborn Heights, Michigan Maureen Geary, OP Prioress Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, Michigan Mary Beth Gianoli, OSF Leadership Team Sisters of St. Francis Oldenburg, Indiana Anne Stedman Stedman, OSB Formation Director Benet Hill Monastery Colorado springs, Colorado Sister Helen Zecha, OSB Administration Benet Hill Monastery Colorado Springs , Colorado Jan Ginzkey, OSB Assistant Prioress Benet Hill Monastery Colorado Springs, Colorado Rita Ann Teichman, CSJ Congregational Leadership Team Congregation of St. Joseph Kalamazoo, Michigan Beatrice Marie Haines, OLVM President Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters Huntington, Indiana Marlene Minnaert, OSB Prioress Mother of God Monastery Watertown, South Dakota Maureen Irvin, OSF Congregational Minister Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg Oldenburg, Indiana Judith Diltz, PhD, PHJC Provincial Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Donaldson, Indiana Linda Sevcik, SM Regional Leader Marist Sisters Roseville, Michigan Patricia McCluskey, IHM Mission Councilor, IHM Leadership TeamSrs, Serv of Immaculate Heart of Mary Monroe, Michigan Dawn Tomaszewski, SP General Councilor Sisters of Providence St Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana Jeneen Howard, SP General Councilor Sisters of Providence St Mary of the Woods, Indiana S.Mary Anne Owens, SSND Provincial Leader School Sisters of Notre Dame St. Louis, Missouri Mary Jane Herb, IHM President Sisters, Servants of the IHM Monroe, Michigan Helen Elsbernd, F.S.P.A. Vice President Franciscan Srs of Perpetual Adoration La Crosse, Wisconsin Donna Koch, OSF Community President Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross Green Bay, Wisconsin Anna Marie Reha, SSND Provincial Councilor School Sisters of Notre Dame St. Louis, Missouri Sr. Diane Cauley, CSJ Member of Leadership Team Sisters of St. Joseph Baden, Pennsylvania Sharon Costello, CSJ Leadership Team Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden Baden, Pennsylvania Marlene Schwinghammer, OSB Subprioress Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict St. Joseph, Minnesota Marilyn Geiger, OSF Cogregational Minister Sisters of St. Francis Rochester, Minnesota Mary Beth Klingel, SP General Councilor Sisters of Providence St Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana Karen Kappell, FSPA Mission Councilor Franciscan Srs of Perpetual Adoration La Crosse, Wisconsin Christine Mihelcic, SJ Leadership Team Member Servants of Jesus Farmington, Michigan Leaders of US Congregations of Women Religious - Signatories of Letter to President Obama

Mary Pellegrino, CSJ Congregational Moderator Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden Baden, Pennsylvania Rosemary Abramovich, OP General Councilor Adrian Dominican Sisters Adrian, Michigan Sharon Holland, IHM Vice President Srs, Serv of the Immac Heart of Mary Monroe, Michigan Suzanne Brennan, CSC General Treasurer Sisters of the Holy Cross Notre Dame, Indiana Attracta Kelly, OP Prioress Adrian Dominican Sisters Adrian , Michigan Tarianne DeYonker, OP Vicaress / General Councilor Adrian Dominican Sisters Adrian, Michigan Theresa Sandok, OSM President Ladysmith Servite Sisters Greenfield, Wisconsin Maryann McMahon, OP President Sisters of St. Dominic Racine, Wisconsin Agnes Johnson, OP Vice President Racine Dominicans Racine, Wisconsin Joy O'Grady, CSC Coordinator for North America Sisters of the Holy Cross Notre Dame, Indiana Marjorie White, SSJ-TOSF President Srs of St. Joseph, Third Ord St. Francis Fort Wayne, Indiana Ginger Downey, OLVM General Secretary Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters Huntington, Indiana Mary Herrmann, SSJ President Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA Erie, Pennsylvania Catherine Sheehan, DW Provincial Leader Daughters of Wisdom Islip, New York