Bishop cites importance of environmental stewardship

Catholic News Service reports that Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, California, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, spoke to interfaith leaders at the Festival of Faiths conference in Louisville, Kentucky, where he said that people praise, honor and serve God “when we care for all living beings by protecting the air, which is God’s gift to us,” in a November 7 address. The theme of his address was “Sacred Air: Breath of Life.”

“As stewards of God’s creation we can live more simply, using the earth’s resources wisely, reducing our consumption, working to eliminate air pollution and reducing our carbon footprint,” said Bishop Blaire. “In the end it just makes good sense to want to have clean air for our children and families to breathe and for future generations.”

In his address, Bishop Blaire highlighted the specific threat of mercury and other toxic air pollution to children’s health.

The entire address is here.