American bishops decry Trump's decision on climate change

American bishops decry Trump's decision on climate change

Vatican Radio) The Bishops of the United States have decried President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement saying his decision “not to honor the U.S. commitment” to the Paris climate deal is “deeply troubling.”  

In a statement released shortly after the President’s announcement at the White House, Bishop Oscar Cantu, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace pointed out that “The Scriptures affirm the value of caring for creation and caring for each other in solidarity”, and that “the Paris agreement is an international accord that promotes these values”.

He said that “President Trump’s decision will harm the people of the United States and the world, especially the poorest, most vulnerable communities”.

The statement also notes that the impacts of climate change are already being experienced in “sea level rise, glacial melts, intensified storms and more frequent droughts”.

Bishop Cantu continued saying that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Pope Francis and “the entire Catholic Church have consistently upheld the Paris Agreement as an important international mechanism to promote environmental stewardship and encourage climate change mitigation.”

“I can only hope – he concluded – that the President will propose concrete ways to address global climate change and promote environmental stewardship.”

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