Catholic Leaders to Discuss the U.S. Church’s Reception of Pope Francis’ Encyclical on Ecology Wednesday, Sept. 16

Three prominent Catholic leaders will speak at a National Press Club Newsmaker news conference on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 1:30 p.m. in the Ballroom, highlighting the activities of the U.S. Catholic Church in response to Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’. The Newsmaker will occur on the eve of the Pope’s visit to the United States.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Dr. Carolyn Woo, President & CEO of Catholic Relief Services will discuss the U.S. Church’s efforts to teach and act on the vision of Francis that connects its care for creation to care for one another. They feel that faced with many human and climatological crises, the call to protect the most vulnerable, those least able to adapt, is more critical than ever.

The two bishops are heading up the response to Laudato Si’ for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Wenski chairs the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Cantú chairs the Committee on International Justice and Peace. Woo was a speaker at the Vatican’s press conference for the presentation of Laudato Si’. CRS is the official international humanitarian agency for the Catholic community in the United States.

As U.S. Catholics prepare for Pope Francis’ five-day visit that begins Tuesday, Sept. 22, Wenski, Cantú, and Woo will address respect for life, care for immigrants, climate change and poverty, among other issues. The Catholic leaders will discuss the work of the USCCB and CRS in advocating for the poor and vulnerable of all communities with elected leaders as Congress prepares to receive the pope for his address to a joint session on Thursday, Sept. 24.

This NPC Newsmaker news conference is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 1:30 p.m. in the Ballroom. John Hughes, President of the Club, will be moderating the discussion.

Like all Newsmaker events, this news conference is open to credentialed media and club members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.

Contact:
Tony Gallo NPC Newsmakers Event Host
202-544-6973, [email protected]