Over one hundred Virginia Clergy have united to send a message to Senators Webb and Warner that climate change is moral issue and their action is required. Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light's release on the letter's delivery:
RICHMOND, Va. -- As the US Senate prepares to take up climate and energy legislation, over 100 religious
leaders from across Virginia delivered letters to Senators Webb and Warner today, making a moral case for comprehensive
climate legislation that includes strong emission reductions, international adaptation assistance, and protections for low-income families.
<Click here for full text of letter and list of signatories. The letters were delivered in person to senate staff during meetings in Richmond today by a representative group of signers. Numerous others are calling the Senators' DC offices to deliver their message. Transcending the intense lobbying from special interest groups, the faith community is calling on lawmakers to honor the values of caring both for our neighbors and for God's creation.
"As religious leaders from across the Commonwealth, we are writing to express our alarm at the state of environmental stewardship here in Virginia, and nationwide," the letter states. "For us as people of faith, this is an issue of basic fairness and justice; not only because we are called to care for Creation, but because of who will be harmed most by inaction: the poor and voiceless."
The clergy who joined this effort reflect tremendous religious and geographical diversity. They are speaking out from five religious traditions - Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Unitarian Universalism and seven denominations of Christianity -- and hail from all corners of the Commonwealth.
"Our senators might get the impression from recent headlines that the basic science of climate change remains controversial in our state," says Joseph R. Stanley III, the director of the Virginia Interfaith Center's Interfaith Power & Light program. "But the fact that more than 100 local leaders of sacred communities are acting together speaks volumes. For them, the facts are in. They see what's happening to our world. Climate change is real, and they feel called as people of faith to respond."
"When you ask the pastors, rabbis, and imams who joined this letter why they signed on, not one of them mentions politics. It's much bigger than politics," says Joelle Novey, the director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light, which works with congregations across Northern Virginia. "We are calling on Senators Webb and Warner to pass comprehensive climate legislation out of a sense of moral responsibility to care for our neighbors and for Creation. And we are asking that any legislation do right by the poor around the world, and close to home."
"I believe that we have a responsibility to care for, and not destroy, the miraculous world God created," says Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe in Falls Church.
"This world is God's creation, beloved and whole, and we are charged with its care," says Rev. Mollie Douglas Turner, an Episcopal priest in Williamsburg.
"As a faith leader, the scriptures instruct us that human beings have been placed on Earth to be the trustees and guardians of this planet and its people," says Imam Johari Abdul-Malik of Falls Church. We believe that in order for us to have a sustainable planet ... personal stewardship and community efforts are not enough. Systemic change regarding climate requires legislation in order to guide our corporate societal behavior."
"I signed onto this letter because all of creation praises God: the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, the animals of the forest, the wind, the rain, even the trees," says Rev. Diane Walton Hendricks, a Presbyterian minister in Falls Church. As stewards of creation we must enable the voices of all creation to continue to be raised in their own unique songs of praise. We dare not allow our actions to silence the song."
"The Creation, all of it, not just our own little part, is meant to be lived in full community," says Rev. Mochel Morris, a Methodist minister in Falls Church. "We who are stewards must care for all of it, especially for the 'least of these' who have little or no voice -- people, creatures, plants -- all of it."
"Each of us bears a personal moral responsibility and imperative to be a positive contributor to sustaining life," says Rev. Kate Walker in Fairfax County. "My ordination compels me as a minister; I take on the responsibility to lead."
The letter effort was convened jointly by the Virginia and Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light programs, and was circulated initially by five clergy: Imam Johari Abdul-Malik (Muslim, Falls Church), Rev. Dr. Morris Hudgins (Unitarian Universalist, Charlottesville), Bishop Charlene Kammerer (United Methodist, Richmond), Rev. Dr. Janet Parker, (United Church of Christ, Arlington), and Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe (Jewish, Falls Church). The letter is signed by Rt. Rev. Holly Hollerith, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, and Rev. Dr. G. Wilson Gunn, Jr., General Presbyter of the National Capital Presbytery (which includes Northern Virginia).
Click here for the text of the letter signed by over 100 Virginia religious leaders.
