St. Francis Pledge
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April 22, 2012
April, 2012Dear Friends,
In 2009, the Diocese of San Jose formed the Catholic Green Initiative and asked all parishioners to sign the "Saint Francis Pledge." Within this Initiative, we are created educational programs and action plans to encourage and assist the San Jose Catholic community to live and operate more simply and sustainably. In the intervening years we have seen how environmental degradation and climate change are affecting God's creation, including people here and all over the world. This is a particular tragedy because it is the poorest and most vulnerable who suffer the worst, even though they have contributed the least to these problems. This fact prompted Pope John Paul II to declare that "the ecological crisis is a moral issue" and Pope Benedict XVI to call upon us to become "true guardians of life and creation."
It is fitting that on Earth Day, April 22nd, we ask our parishioners to renew their commitment to the Saint Francis Pledge. By taking this pledge we agree to:- Pray to reflect on our responsibility to care for God's creation and protect the poor and vulnerable;
- Learn about and educate others about climate change;
- Assess how we contribute to climate change (in our homes, our schools, our parishes and in the chancery.
- Act to reduce our climate change impact;
- Advocate Catholic principles in climate change discussions and policy work.
With every best wish and kind regard, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Patrick J. McGrath
Bishop of San Jose