BACKGROUND: Throughout the world people are honoring the life of Pope Francis who was both a spiritual and political leader. He called on all of us to make it a priority in our lives to protect the environment, provide justice for all--especially the poor and marginalized, and to work for peace. In our country flags are flying at half-mast in his honor. But to truly honor Pope Francis, it is not enough to lower our flags, light candles, and bow our heads. May we all reflect on and be guided by the Pope’s words and deeds. Here are just a few quotes from Pope Francis:
On Peace: "It is impossible for peace to exist without dialogue. All the wars, all the strife, all the unsolved problems over which we clash are due to a lack of dialogue. When there is a problem, talk: this makes peace."
On Justice: "Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples."
On the Environment: “The problem is urgent. Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last two hundred years. We must all change our day-to-day actions to live more sustainably. Reducing greenhouse gases requires honesty, courage and responsibility. On a larger scale, our leaders must be held to account. Those who will have to suffer the consequences . . . will not forget this failure of conscience and responsibility.”
ACTION: Contact your Representatives, Senators and the President. Ask each of them to reflect on the life and leadership of Pope Francis and to recommit themselves to act with moral integrity and let the Pope’s teachings guide their negotiations, policies, and votes. Urge them to build bridges, not walls, and work with humility and compassion for peace, justice and the environment here in our country and around the world.
CONTACT:
President Trump
- Website: whitehouse.gov/contact/
- Tel: 202 456-1111
- Mail: President Trump, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW., Washington DC 20500
Your Representative and Senators
- Web: www.senate.gov, www.house.gov;
leave a message via ‘Contact’ on his/her website - Tel: 202 224-3121
(Capitol switchboard-ask for his/her office & leave a message) - Mail: Senator or Representative (first & last name)
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510 OR
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515
Click here for more quotes from Pope Francis about peace, justice, and the environment.
Please use the info in this Action Alert to write a letter-to-the-editor of your paper of choice.