NEWS ALERT
February 20, 2001
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
DATE: Thursday, February 22, 2001
PLACE: University of Portland - Mehling Hall - Portsmouth entrance to campus
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
SUBJECT: Press Conference
Pastoral Letter on the Columbia River
"The Columbia River
Watershed: Caring for Creation and the
Common Good"
The Catholic Bishops of Oregon, Washington,
Idaho, Montana and
Nelson, British Columbia, will release
their timely pastoral letter on the
Columbia River at simultaneous press conferences
in Portland and
Seattle. Archbishop John G. Vlazny, Archbishop
of Portland, will
introduce the pastoral letter at this
press conference, particularly
pertinent at this time of concern for
salmon, water and electrical
generation shortages, conservation issues,
farming and recreational
uses of the river.
The Bishops' Pastoral Letter states:
"We, the Catholic bishops in the international
watershed region of the
United States and Canada, write this pastoral
letter because we have
become concerned about regional economic
and ecological conditions
and the conflicts over them in the watershed."
"The vision of a renewed earth in the Columbia
River Watershed poses
a challenge of grand scale."
"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."
Copies of the pastoral letter will be available
to media representatives
at the press conference.
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