I have great hope in the election of Pope Leo XIV. During his inaugural mass on May 18 he described his desire for a Church of “unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.” He named what needs reconciling:
“In our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest.”
Pope Leo is already speaking up for the environment, a topic close to my heart as a Michigander. Air and water pollution and climate disasters have cost thousands of lives in our state. Because we believe in the dignity of human life and the sacredness of God’s creation, environmental advocacy is a moral cause for Catholics. While this advocacy wasn’t unique to the late Pope Francis, that’s the impression many people have. I’m hopeful that hearing the message from a new pope, and one from the U.S. will help Americans understand that care for God’s creation is fundamental to faith and morality.
The Catholic Church’s position on this issue has been very clear. Thirty-five years ago, Pope John Paul II said the “greenhouse effect has now reached crisis proportions as a consequence of industrial growth.” Pope Benedict XVI also responded to the issue, installing solar panels in Vatican City. Pope Francis published major teaching documents on the environment, often focusing on the disproportionate impact on the poor and marginalized. As recently as last fall, our new pope (then Cardinal Prevost) was a speaker at a climate summit in Rome. He addressed the dangers of climate disruptions, said it was a time to move “from words to action,” praising the Church’s efforts to shift to solar and electric vehicles. We need this moral conviction now more than ever amidst increasing threats to a cleaner, healthier future.
Along with the powerful papal voice, passionate action from grassroots, faith-based individuals and organizations have added to the urgency of mitigating the climate crisis. In the 1980’s, U.S. Catholic sisters initiated projects across the country to protect our air and water. Almost 25 years ago, here in Michigan my congregation helped form Voices for Earth Justice, gathering people of different faiths to care for the Earth and its inhabitants through prayer, education, and action.
We need more voices speaking up as dangerous storms, floods, and wildfires increase due to climate disruption. It’s worrisome that industrial activities and food packaging have exposed all of God’s creation to toxins known as “forever chemicals,” or PFAS. These chemicals do not break down naturally and are linked to countless forms of cancer and birth defects.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been reigning in many dangerous pollutants. However, under the current presidential administration, the agency is reversing many of its policies. The Environmental Protection Network estimates the clean air rules this administration wants to reverse will save 200,000 lives, prevent 100 million asthma attacks, and save $250 billion in healthcare costs over the next 25 years. Why would we do this to ourselves?
Michigan has an enormous impact on national policy. National leaders watch our swing state to see where the tide is going. Raise your voice. Call your representatives. Listen to your moral convictions for a better world and get involved.
To many, it’s a dark time to lose a bright light like Pope Francis, but we must remember his light was far bigger than himself. Our new Pope Leo reflects the light, but it’s in each of us, too. In a spirit of hope, may we each find the strength to act now for a brighter future for all.
Sr. Kathleen Nolan, OP, is a religious sister with the Adrian Dominican Sisters and leads its Office of Peace, Justice, and Integrity of Creation.
