Catholic Organizations and the Environment

Rooted in the faith and social teaching of the Church, and essential for sustaining and enhancing the quality of human life, promoting environmental justice is not an optional activity.

Catholics have recognized this fact in very practical, institutional ways. To a remarkable extent, they have integrated environmental justice into the work of their parishes, schools, hospitals, women’s groups, relief and development agencies, advocacy organizations, and rural ministries. As a result, environmental concerns are becoming a permanent and essential feature of Catholic religious life and social action.

• The Environmental Justice Program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops calls Catholics to a deeper respect for God’s creation and engages parishes and dioceses in activities aimed at dealing with environmental problems, particularly as they affect the poor.
• Major Catholic religious, health, social service and policy organizations have formed the Catholic Coalition for Children and a Safe Environment (CASE). Together, these organizations have reached out to thousands of Catholic schools, health care organizations, and individual members with the message of caring for creation and protecting children from environmental threats. Read more.
  

Is "Eating is a Moral Act?" For one organization, this question links cities and farms, justice and the environment.

• The National Catholic Rural Life Conference promotes family farms, a healthy environment, and strong rural communities through education, advocacy, publications, communications services and support for rural pastoral ministries.
• The Campaign for Human Development supports community-controlled self-help organizations of the poor, including grass-roots organizations struggling for environmental justice.
• Catholic Relief Services provides international relief assistance that incorporates environmentally sound approaches to economic development.
• The National Council of Catholic Women mobilizes Catholic women’s organizations to care for the environment through its “Earth in Our Hands” program and offers an annual environmental stewardship award.
• The National Catholic Educational Association works to make Catholic schools safe and healthy environments by providing information, resources and Environmental Health Grants.
• The Catholic Health Association of the United States has formed a Partnership for Environmental Responsibility to help Catholic health care ministries reduce the environmental impacts of their use of resources and disposal of waste.

There are also regional Catholic environmental organizations, such as:

• New Jersey Catholic Coalition for Environmental Justice
• Michigan Catholic Rural Life Coalition