Pope Francis is coming to Washington, D.C., arriving September 22nd and taking part in activities through the 24th. He will be in the United States until the 27th.
A growing coalition of faith-based, environmental, climate, social justice and other groups has come together and is planning a variety of activities leading up to and during the week that this inspiring and courageous world leader will be in town. This pope has been outspoken about the urgency of the climate crisis and its connection to the larger environmental, social and economic crises of our time. It is important that we who share his concerns take visible action to support him and amplify his message.
Beyond Extreme Energy begins the activities with a planned 18-day, water-only “Fast for No New Permits” in front of FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It will begin on Tuesday September 8th and continue until Friday the 25th, which is the day after the Pope’s speech to Congress. CCAN National Campaign Coordinator Ted Glick will be one of those taking part in this action. On September 9th and 10th BXE fasters will be taking part in activities with Grandparents Climate Action.
CCAN and BXE are working with the Franciscan Action Network, which is planning a fast September 14-23 at McPherson Square. The fast is part of an international fast organized by the Global Catholic Climate Movement. Their fast will end the evening of September 23rd with an interfaith service at the Lincoln Memorial.
On the evening of September 22nd Jewish Rabbis will lead an evening Yom Kippur Day of Atonement/At-Onement service at the Lincoln Memorial.
The big day is September 24th. That morning Pope Francis will speak before Congress. Outside on the mall Moral Action for Climate Justice is organizing a rally with a broadcast of the Pope’s speech, and a program of music and speakers before and after. The National Park Service and other police agencies expect hundreds of thousands of people to be present on the mall that morning.
And on September 25th, as the Pope speaks in NYC before the United Nations, people will flood Capitol Hill to call upon Senators and House members to finally get serious and move forward to take action on climate. Later in the day, Beyond Extreme Energy is organizing a gathering at FERC as the fasters end their fast and as religious leaders attempt to take copies of Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home” into FERC to deliver to the five FERC Commissioners.
CCAN looks forward to all of these activities next month and urges our members and supporters to take part in as many of them as you can. It’s time for moral action for climate justice!