The priests, ministers of my Son, the priests, by their wicked lives, by their irreverence and their impiety in the celebration of the holy mysteries, by their love of money, their love of honors and pleasures, and the priests have become cesspools of impurity. Yes, the priests are asking vengeance, and vengeance is hanging over their heads. Woe to the priests and to those dedicated to God who by their unfaithfulness and their wicked lives are crucifying my Son again! The sins of those dedicated to God cry out towards Heaven and call for vengeance, and now vengeance is at their door, for there is no one left to beg mercy and forgiveness for the people. There are no more generous souls; there is no one left worthy of offering a stainless sacrifice to the Eternal for the sake of the world. Our Lady of La Salette 19 Sept. 1846 (Published by Mélanie 1879)
“God will strike in an unprecedented way. Our Lady of La Salette 19 Sept. 1846 (Published by Mélanie 1879)
“Woe to the inhabitants of the earth! God will exhaust His wrath upon them and no one will be able to escape so many afflictions together. Our Lady of La Salette 19 Sept. 1846 (Published by Mélanie 1879)
“The chiefs, the leaders of the people of God have neglected prayer and penance, and the devil has bedimmed their intelligence. They have become wandering stars which the old devil will drag along with his tail to make them perish. God will allow the old serpent to cause divisions among those who reign in every society and in every family. Physical and moral agonies will be suffered. God will abandon mankind to itself and will send punishments which will follow one after the other for more than thirty-five years. Our Lady of La Salette 19 Sept. 1846 (Published by Mélanie 1879)
“The Society of men is on the eve of the most terrible scourges and of gravest events. Mankind must expect to be ruled with an iron rod and to drink from the chalice of the wrath of God. Our Lady of La Salette 19 Sept. 1846 (Published by Mélanie 1879)
May 29, 2014
Gina McCarthy
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator McCarthy:
I write on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to address the
Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to develop standards to reduce carbon pollution from
existing power plants and thereby mitigate climate change. The USCCB recognizes the importance
of finding means to reduce carbon pollution. These standards should protect the health and welfare of
all people, especially children, the elderly, as well as poor and vulnerable communities, from harmful
pollution emitted from power plants and from the impacts of climate change.
As bishops and people of faith, we do not speak as experts on carbon pollution or on the technical
remedies to address climate change. We are pastors in a faith tradition that teaches, as Pope Francis
recently stated, “Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it
and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude.”
The best evidence indicates that power plants are the largest stationary source of carbon emissions in
the United States, and a major contributor to climate change. Power plants have often been located
near low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. Air pollution from these plants
contributes to respiratory problems, especially in the young and the elderly.
Efforts to address climate change must take into account creation and its relationship to “the least of
these” (Matthew 25). Too frequently we observe the damaging impacts from climate-related events
in the United States and across the globe, particularly on poor and vulnerable communities. Beyond
the regulations, the United States should exercise leadership for a globally negotiated climate change
agreement.
We know that the communities served by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) are already experiencing
the tragic consequences of climate change. Increasingly limited access to water, reduced crop yields,
more widespread disease, increased frequency and intensity of droughts and storms, as well as
conflict over declining resources – all these are making the lives of the world’s poorest people even
more precarious.
Therefore, as we wrote in our statement, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence
and the Common Good, “Action to mitigate global climate change must be built upon a foundation of
social and economic justice.”
As the EPA takes steps to address climate change and reduce carbon pollution, we ask you to be
guided by the following principles taken from our statement and the teaching of Pope Francis:
Respect for Human Life and Dignity. The regulations and all efforts to reduce the impact
of climate change should respect human life and dignity, especially that of the poorest and
most vulnerable: from children in the womb to the elderly. In particular, these measures must
protect poor and vulnerable communities and persons from the health impacts of climate
change, including exposure to climate-sensitive diseases, heat waves and diminished air
quality.
Prudence on Behalf of the Common Good. We believe that wise action to address climate
change is required now to protect the common good for present and future generations.
Priority for the Poor and Vulnerable. The consequences of climate change will be borne
by the world’s most vulnerable people; inaction will worsen their suffering.
Social and Economic Justice. Workers should be protected from negative effects on the
workforce resulting from the new standards and should receive assistance to mitigate impacts
on their livelihoods and families. Any additional costs that such standards may generate must
be distributed fairly, without undue burden on the poor.
Care for creation. We are called to be responsible stewards of the earth and to use the gifts
we have been given to protect human life and dignity, now and in the future.
Participation. Local communities should have a voice in shaping these standards based on
their local impact, especially low-income communities whose voice is often not heard. It is
in accord with their dignity that they participate in this process.
We appreciate your commitment to address this urgent global challenge confronting the human
family. The USCCB stands ready to work with you, the Administration, and members of Congress to
ensure that measures necessary to address climate change both care for creation and protect “the least
of these.”
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski
Archbishop of Miami
Chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
