Archbishop Nelson J. Prez
The following statement was made by Archbishop Nelson J. Perez on April 22, which is Earth Day. This annual global event began in 1970 and is an opportunity to show support for environmental protection.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today is the 52nd Anniversary of Earth Day. This moment on the calendar, as Catholics, is a reminder that we, as beneficiaries of God’s creation, have a responsibility to protect the environment and its effects on humanity, particularly the poor and vulnerable who are often overlooked.
Pope Francis issued his landmark Encyclical in 2015 Laudato Si(Praise to you, my Lord). It remains a universal call for each of us to understand and embrace personal responsibility for the welfare of the natural world we inhabit.As the Holy Father tells us, “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.
All living creatures are God’s precious gift to the Earth. It is crucial that we preserve and protect it, especially for future generations.
Many schools, parishes, and other institutions in the Archdiocese have formed creation care teams to help put the Holy Fathers words into practice. Many are associated with EcoPhillyThis initiative was launched to create a network for creation care teams in the five-county area that can make measurable improvements to their local environment. I applaud their efforts and encourage others to do the same.
God bless us all and lead us to our Heavenly Home!
Most Reverend Nelson J. Prez D.D.
Archbishop Philadelphia
