The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia join with others in the world community in renewing our commitment to the care of creation. We believe that President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord is devastating for communities across the globe. Yet we, along with faith and other groups, pledge to work even harder to protect our sacred creation. For us climate change is a moral issue. We are disappointed that after meeting with Pope Francis and listening to our European allies, the president has taken this position. We believe that it violates the human rights of communities and the natural world.

We take this stand as followers of St. Francis and supporters of Pope Francis’ efforts to make us aware of our responsibility to care for our common home. Statistics confirm that a large majority of Americans and so many of our institutions and businesses, including most Fortune 500 companies and financial institutions, support the Paris Agreement.

We are saddened that the commitment of the United States to the Paris Agreement has been seriously damaged. Yet we remain hopeful as full withdrawal will not occur until the four-year process is completed. We will not be deterred from our mission as Franciscan women. Last week’s historic vote at ExxonMobil bends toward justice. We continue to join with numerous investors, states, city governments, and organizations that have committed to solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As Franciscans, we stand with compassion and strength, embracing all creation as brother and sister. Together, in solidarity with so many others in the world community, we want to be a voice for the planet, especially for those who are poor and those most gravely affected by global climate change. We remain committed to work for justice and the peace that it brings.

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The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia is a community of approximately 425 Catholic women religious who choose a Gospel way of life lived in community and uphold a long and honored tradition of loving God and being in relationships through loving service. We choose to live the Gospel in the prophetic spirit of Francis of Assisi and our foundress Mother Francis Bachmann. With Jesus Christ as Brother, we live as sister with one another, with the entire human family, and with all creation. Calling ourselves and one another to continuous conversion of heart, we commit ourselves to a life of contemplation, poverty, and humility. Seeking to participate in the Spirit’s action in the world, we direct our personal and corporate resources to the promotion of justice, peace, and reconciliation.  osfphila.org