DATE: February 22, 2001
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org
COLUMBIA RIVER PASTORAL LETTER RELEASED
The pastoral letter "The Columbia River Watershed: Caring for Creation
and the
Common Good" is being released today,
February 22, 2001. This timely pastoral letter
is the work of twelve Catholic Bishops
in the international Columbia River watershed
region of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana
and British Columbia. The letter was
formally released at simultaneous press
conferences held in Portland and Seattle.
The bishops wrote the letter "because
we have become concerned about
regional economic and ecological conditions
and the conflicts over them in the
watershed." The letter is addressed to
Catholics and to all people of good will. The
bishops indicate that it is their hope
"that we might work together to develop and
implement an integrated spiritual, social
and ecological vision for our watershed home,
a vision that promotes justice for people
and stewardship of creation."
The twelve bishops who signed the pastoral letter are: Archbishop John G.
Vlazny, Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, Archbishop Alex J. Brunett, Archdiocese of
Seattle, Washington, Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen (Retired), Archdiocese of
Seattle, Washington, Bishop William S. Skylstad, Diocese of Spokane, Washington,
Bishop Thomas J. Connolly (Retired), Diocese of Baker, Oregon, Bishop Robert F. Vasa,
Diocese of Baker, Oregon, Bishop Eugene J. Cooney, Diocese of Nelson, British
Columbia, Bishop Michael P. Driscoll, Diocese of Boise, Idaho, Bishop Robert C. Morlino,
Diocese of Helena, Montana, Bishop Carlos A. Sevilla, S.J., Diocese of Yakima,
Washington, Auxiliary Bishop Kenneth D. Steiner, Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, and
Auxiliary Bishop George L. Thomas, Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington.
The bishops present a balanced approach to the many uses of the river and
its
watershed, recognizing the economic impact
that the river has on the region and at the
same time ecological concern of overuse
and abuse of the watershed. "We call for a
thorough, humble and introspective evaluation
that seeks to eliminate both economic
greed that fails to respect the environment,
and ecological elitism that lacks a proper
regard for the legitimate rights and property
of others." The bishops describe the
themes of the letter as "biblical and
Catholic Church teachings about stewardship; the
need to respect nature; and the need to
recognize and promote the common good.
These themes are consistent with a Christian
belief that the earth is a creation of God
intended to serve the needs of all creation."
These themes relate to a "caring for
creation," "caring for community," and
a "caring for our common home."
The bishops consider the "rivers of our responsibility" as the final level
of
reflection in their letter. In this section
the bishops propose ten "considerations for
community projects to renew the watershed."
These ten considerations are:
1. Consider the common good
2. Conserve the watershed as a common
good
3. Conserve and protect species
4. Respect the Dignity and Traditions
of the Region's Indigenous Peoples
5. Promote Justice for the Poor, Linking
Economic Justice and
Environmental Justice
6. Promote Community Resolution of Economic
and Ecological Issues
7. Promote Social and Ecological Responsibility
among Reductive and
Reproductive Enterprises
8. Conserve Energy and Establish Environmentally
Integrated Alternative
Energy Sources
9. Respect Ethnic and Racial Cultures,
Citizens and Communities
10. Integrate Transportation and Recreation
Needs with Sustainable
Ecosystem
In concluding the letter the bishops recognize that the task at hand of
balancing the various needs of the watershed
region is great, but they also recognize
that the region is capable of meeting
the challenge. "It is a challenge worthy of the
men and women who inhabit this watershed.
It is a challenge that will test the resolve
of us all. Such a challenge can be met
only with faith in God, faith in one another and
mutual cooperation."
The Pastoral letter "The Columbia River Watershed: Caring for Creation
and the
Common Good" is available on the project
web site: www.columbiariver.org
in English,
Spanish and French. Six Appendices include
a description of the process and history of
the project, listing the members of the
Steering Committee and resource consultants,
which included many theologians and members
of the academic community, the various
gatherings and listening sessions, a selected
bibliography, and a poetic reflection
"Riversong."
###