In line with Pope Francis and with the Holy See’s position at the COP21 negotiations, the European Bishops have today reiterated their appeal, first signed in October by the world’s cardinals, patriarchs and bishops, that the international conference which begun yesterday in Paris may secure “the approval of a fair, legally binding and truly transformational climate agreement”, one that puts “the common good ahead of national interests” and protects “our common home and all its inhabitants”. “It was agreed with other bodies that our appeal would be reiterated at the start of the COP21 so that it would not be forgotten by those in Paris”, explains Mgr. Duarte Da Cunha, Secretary General of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe. According to a statement released by the CCEE today, the appeal, presented at the Holy See Press Office on 26 October, “is a powerful call to work towards the approval” of an agreement which, “according to the signatories, should limit global temperature increases to avoid catastrophic climatic impacts, especially on the most vulnerable communities”. Religious leaders “recognize that excessive reliance on fossil fuel is primarily responsible for accelerated climate change”, and they call not only for “drastic reduction in the emission of carbon dioxide and other toxic gasses”, but also for “ending the fossil fuel era”. According to the CCEE, the appeal includes a ten-point proposal linking “climate change to social injustice and the exclusion of the poorest and most vulnerable of citizens”.

The Church is also witness to how “climate change is affecting vulnerable communities and people” and therefore calls on the signatories to place social justice at the centre. The CCEE also recalls that in the last days, Comece too has published a report on the climate issue. “We have no more to say – says Mgr. Da Cunha – than what has already been said so far, which we hope will not be forgotten. In line with what Pope Francis said in Africa and with the Holy See’s position at the negotiations, we hope that a fair and honest agreement will be reached, one that does not forget those who suffer”.