The Columbia River Watershed: Caring for Creation and the Common Good

An International Pastoral Letter by the Catholic Bishops of the Watershed Region

Link to text in English, in Spanish, in French

The Catholic bishops of the Columbia River Watershed offer a pastoral reflection spoken with a voice of faith and compassion, offering insights drawn from the teachings of Jesus Christ and from the Christian tradition through the ages, particularly the developing Catholic social ethical thought of the past century.  They teach with the late Pope John Paul II that "Christians, in particular, realize that their responsibility within creation and their duty towared nature and the Creator are an essential part of their faith."  (The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility.)

They hope that the values they express, the issues they raise, and the insights they offer will serve as a catalyst for further discussion toward the resolution of the complex issues of the Columbia River Watershed.  They invite people to explore with them the implications of the Christian idea of human stewardship of creation, and to effect a spiritual, social and ecological transformation of the watershed.

The text of the Pastoral Letter is available in English, in Spanish, and in French.  The pastoral letter booklet, incorporating photos taken throughout the region with the text, is available through the Washington State Catholic Conference at 206-301-0556 or via email at wscc@thewscc.org.  To download an order form, click here.