William Patenaude
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A homily given last month by Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the former Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, made waves among Catholic eco-activists. Many thought the cardinal was … more
Back in 2008, I wrote a column about why I was a lousy environmentalist. For months after its publication, I heard a lot from folks who enjoyed hearing about my failures. And so I figured, 10 years … more
“How could this happen in the United States?” That’s a question many ask when the topic of the water in Flint, Michigan comes up. It’s a good question. Here’s another: “Could this … more
It’s been a year since the release of Pope Francis’ blockbuster eco-encyclical Laudato Si’. Since then there’s been lots of talk about it. Now thanks to a group of international Catholic … more
I’ve noticed more and more Catholic websites and businesses noting that they’re loyal to the pope and all the councils of the church. I suppose this is because of late, so many splinter … more
Did you hear the big news?Last week, the presidents of the continental Associations of Bishops’ Conferences — including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops — issued a … more
With Earth Day events continuing this week, it’s a good time to ask this question: what exactly do Catholics bring to the arena of ecological protection? Helping answer that question is the … more
There was cheering two years ago this month when Pope Francis issued Laudato Si’, his long-awaited encyclical on the environment. But it was two years before that, at a weekly audience one fine … more
That’s a comment you’ll hear in some secular, ecumenical, and (tragically) Catholic eco circles. It’s a complaint most often directed at Catholic hierarchy here in the states and at … more
A woman called from another state last week concerned that her bishop wasn’t supporting an interfaith environmental statement. She had read about November’s Laudato Si’ event hosted by Bishop … more
As I write this, the Rhode Island pro-life community is reeling from the passage in our House of Representatives of a bill that would — among other evils — hardwire into state law the … more
A few hours before Benedict XVI preached at Australia’s World Youth Day about global ecological crises, I was at a supermarket checkout line in America not using reusable shopping bags. There I … more
Differences in opinion on climate change are stark and prompt strong, passionate reactions from those supporting different sides of the issue. Within the Church, this debate distracts us from our … more
This may sound odd, but I was delighted last week when I heard a team of college students discuss how a flood can wipe out a lifetime of memories. Well, let me put it this way: I found it … more
The election of Donald Trump came at a critical time in global efforts to reign in emissions from the burning of fuels like oil, gas, and coal — emissions that, among other ills, turn up the … more
Dioceses and religious groups around the United States have increasingly been turning to solar energy, thanks to advances in technology and better financing. We’ve seen this just over the … more
There’s a lesson in the timing of when the big climate negotiations closed last week. After two decades of meetings, some 200 nations — including the United States — announced an agreement on … more
In the secular sphere, ecological issues are increasingly impacting the way people around the globe live, work, and pass on life to their sons and daughters. As all this concerns the Church, there … more
Pope Francis’s long-awaited apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia,” “The Joy of Love,” released last week, has lots in common with his blockbuster 2015 encyclical on the environment, … more
The mainstream media delights whenever Pope Benedict XVI weaves environmental protection into his preaching, as he did this July in Australia before some 200,000 young Catholic pilgrims from across the planet. more
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