The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a document this week calling for Catholics to have an environmental conversion during the season of Lent. The USCCB writes that:
Our world is hurtling toward unsustainable climate conditions that will affect the flourishing of people all over the planet.
The bishops could not miss an opportunity to take a swipe at the Trump administration, stating:
At the same time, our country is stepping back from global and national efforts to change course.
The USCCB also implies that the illegal mass migration being experienced is due to climate change:
Receiving the brunt of the burden are people seeking refuge from disasters, farmers struggling to adapt to erratic weather patterns, children
suffering from dehydration and hunger, migrants who flee their homes due to loss of livelihood, and species declining in forests and coral reefs.
Echoing the call from Pope Francis’ climate change manifesto Laudato si’, the bishops’ write:
Everyone in society, through non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups, must put pressure on governments to develop and implement more rigorous regulations, procedures and controls. Citizens need to take an active role in political decision-making at national, regional and local levels.
The bishops repeat the tiresome call for “climate justice” and suggest that “business leaders can work to increase sustainability”, “parishes can create opportunities for prayer in nature”, and “dioceses can conduct an energy audit of the buildings they own.”
Once again, the U.S. bishops have demonstrated that they have completely lost the plot when it comes to the faith. The purpose of Lent is spiritual preparation for the Paschal Mystery (Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection) through inner conversion of heart, turning more fully to God’s will, and imitating Christ’s example. U.S. bishops are instead trying to transform this into an opportunity to push the climate change agenda.