Every Bishop Should Decarbonize his Diocese

Feb. 20 is World Day of Social Justice and it is important for Catholics to celebrate this day. The church affirms social justice, which reforms institutions and policies, as key to Catholic social teaching. The U.S. bishops assert, "Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith." The church also acknowledges that to offer credible witness, it must embody social justice through ecclesial policies that enact its social teaching. Animated by Catholic social teaching, especially Pope Francis' Laudate Deum and the U.S. bishops' climate advocacy, each bishop should enact a science-based diocesan decarbonization policy. Such commitment engages faith and reason to advance the church's evangelical mission. Archbishop Thomas Zinkula of Dubuque, Iowa, and Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago are leading the way. Catholics should engage in synodality and encounter their bishop to advocate similar episcopal leadership.