PA Faith Leaders Urge Gov. to Stop Fracking

On September 17, Pennsylvanians Against Fracking and over 100 faith leaders sent a letter to Governor Wolf urging him to heed Pope Francis’ message and stop fracking in Pennsylvania. View the full text of the letter below. Click here to view the letter in PDF format.

Faith leaders: you can add your name to the letter by clicking here.

Not a faith leader? You can send your own message to Gov. Wolf by taking action here!

We announced the letter by publishing a full-page ad in the Sunday, September 20th edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

September 17, 2015

The Honorable Tom Wolf
Governor
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

Dear Governor Wolf,

We, the undersigned faith leaders from across the Commonwealth, are writing to you in anticipation of Pope Francis’ visit to Pennsylvania later this week. Pope Francis began a dialogue about our common home in Laudato Si. It’s a dialogue he’s sure to continue as he speaks before Congress and the United Nations and worships with families in Philadelphia.

“It is possible that we do not grasp the gravity of the challenge now before us,” the Pope cautions us and reminds us that “the human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together.” Although his encyclical is widely regarded as a statement on the urgency of addressing climate change, it is truly a much broader statement about our interdependence and responsibility to the earth and each other.

Pope Francis understands that our current path is unsustainable and that the poorest among us are already witnesses to that fact. He challenges political leaders to “leave behind a testimony of selfless responsibility” and the rest of us to “embark on new paths to authentic freedom.”

Our Pennsylvania Constitution states that the people have a right to clean air, pure water and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all people. This statement encompasses 2 basic principles: Pennsylvanians have a right to a decent environment; and Pennsylvania government has a trustee responsibility to protect the environment on behalf of future generations. We join together to call on you, Governor Wolf, to be the leader who will help our state chart a sustainable course.

The consensus among climate scientists is that we must leave 80% of fossil fuels in the ground. Continued reliance on them to simultaneously provide energy and drive our economy is no longer a realistic option. Pennsylvania ranks third behind Texas and California in total emissions. The shale gas boom of the past decade has reinvigorated the energy industry in the state, but not without profound and far-reaching consequences.

We know you served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Indian State of Odessa. This place where you once dedicated yourself to serving has been dubbed that nation’s “disaster capital”. Some scientists have called what is happening there a “dress rehearsal for the meteorological mayhem” climate change will cause everywhere on earth. Cyclones and floods where they’d never been seen before, heat waves killing thousands, and severe droughts that have had profound impacts on agriculture are just some examples of dramatic effects Odessa is experiencing. We must not ignore cautionary tales like Odessa’s that are becoming all too common.

The localized impacts of shale gas development have been occurring throughout the shale fields of Pennsylvania for more than a decade. They are profound impacts that command our attention and call us to action. Air quality is poor near drilling and related infrastructure. Children, infants, and the in utero are exposed to risks to their health and development as gas wells and compressors are located perilously close to their schools and homes. Frontline residents of all ages are experiencing a range of symptoms that started after gas drilling came to their communities. New research out of Northeastern Pennsylvania shows that hospitalization rates are higher in heavily fracked areas. Property values have diminished, as has quality of life.

To make matters worse, many Pennsylvanians are living without clean water in their homes because it has been fouled by gas drilling activities. Hydraulic fracturing poses an even broader threat to our water supply. Each fracking consumptively uses millions of gallons of that essential and finite resource.

Water, a sacred medium, used in our religious and spiritual practices, water that fills our bodies and is essential for all life on the planet, is rapidly being depleted. We need to look at practices that will conserve and preserve it. We can’t support energy extraction that intentionally poisons and permanently removes large amounts of precious freshwater from the hydrologic cycle. We can’t permit an exchange of life-giving water for climate damaging fossil fuels.

If the industry has its way then shale gas development is only in its infancy in Pennsylvania. The problems Pennsylvanians are already facing will multiply. The effects of climate change will be much more pronounced and irreversible.

Governor Wolf, you have the opportunity and the obligation to act. Shale gas development is not only putting us in an increasingly precarious position, it is also keeping us from making the necessary and urgent transition to clean, renewable energy. Pennsylvania has long been a leading energy producer. It still can be by leading the transition to clean, renewable energy. We are all called to stewardship.

Pennsylvanians are eager to embark on a better path. Many have enacted or are working to implement a statewide moratorium on fracking. We are looking to you as our Governor to lead the way.

Sincerely,

 

Reverend Dr. Leah D. Schade, United in Christ Lutheran Church

Lewisburg, PA

 

Sister Pat Lupo, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Penny Colgan-Davis, Clerk, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

Philadelphia, PA

 

Msgr. Joseph Kelly, Diocesan Director of Catholic Social Services, Diocese of Scranton

Wilkes-Barre, PA

 

Reverend Sandra L. Strauss, Pennsylvania Council of Churches

Harrisburg, PA

 

Reverend Kim D. Wilson, Unitarian Universalist Association

Stroudsburg, PA

 

Father William Pickard, Catholic Diosece of Scranton

Scranton, PA

 

Reverend Lisa Keppeler, Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity

Wrightstown, PA

 

Prioress/President Anne Wambach, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Sister Mary Lou Kownacki, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Sister Mary Claire Kennedy, SSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph NW PA

Erie, PA

 

Reverend John Creasy, Presbyterian Church

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Reverend Mark Hayes, Unitarian Universalist

State College, PA

 

Sister Ann Muczynski, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Therese Glass, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Reverend Michael Bryant, St. John Neumann

Scranton, PA

 

Sister Margaret Zeller, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Reverend Loretta Vasso, Circle of the Sacred Earth

Meadowbrook, PA

 

Reverend Dr. Neal Jones, Mainline Unitarian Church

Devon, PA

 

Colette Korn, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Sister Norma Jean Kingsley, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Reverend Jerry Lee Miller, Church of the Brethren

Lancaster, PA

 

Reverend Paul Otruba, Universal Ministries

Mansfield, PA

 

Reverend David Reppert, United Church of Christ

Philadelphia, PA

 

Sister Joan Chittister, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Reverend Dr. Renee Waun, East Suburban Unitarian Universalist Church

Murrysville, PA

 

Sister Mary Egan, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Reverend Bryant Brown, Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Collegeville, PA

 

Reverend Scott Rudolph, Unitarian Universalist

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Sister Judith Trambley, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Reverend Melinda Hall, The Episcopal Church

Brookville, PA

 

Rabbi Arthur Waskow, The Shalom Center

Philadelphia, PA

 

Rabbi Phyllis Berman

Philadelphia, PA

 

Rabbi Linda Holtzman

Philadelphia, PA

 

Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Mishkan Shalom

Philadelphia, PA

 

Rabbi Yael Levy, Mishkan Shalom

Philadelphia, PA

 

Sister Charles Marie Holze, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Reverend Anne Mason, Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster

Lancaster, PA

 

Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Wyncote, PA

 

Reverend Dr. Thomas J. Bodie, Ginger Hill Unitarian Universalist

Slippery Rock, PA

 

Reverend Mark Terwilliger, Countryside Community United Methodist Church

Clarks Summit, PA

 

Sister Mary Miller, Director, Emmaus Ministries, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Sister Mary Ellen Plumb, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Sister Stephanie Schmidt, Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Erie, PA

 

Rabbi Joshua Waxman, Congregation Or Hadash

Ft. Washington, PA

 

Rabbi Vivian E Schirn

Fort Washington, PA

 

Reverend Cheryl Pyrch, Summit Presbyterian Church

Philadelphia, PA

 

 

Jasmine Spence, Newtown Friends Quaker Meeting

Newtown, PA

 

Malinda Harnish Clatterbuck, Spiritual Director, Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster

Lancaster, PA

 

Reverend James Hamilton, United Methodist

Ambridge, PA

 

Reverend Chris Stillwell, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

South Park, PA

 

Lorraine L. Smith, MAPC, Methodist

Warrington, PA

 

Rabbi Linda Holtzman, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Philadelphia, PA

 

Reverend Dr. Donna Giver-Johnston, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Reverend Dr. Richard S. Armstrong, Minister of Worship, Pennswood Village Interdenominational Congregation

Newtown, PA

 

Behzad Zandieh, Baha’i Faith

Harrisburg, PA

 

Reverend Dr. Jean Richardson, Presbyterian

Bangor, PA

 

Gretchen Plotkin and James C. Barton, Co-Clerks, Chambersburg Monthly Meeting Religious Society of Friends

Chambersburg, PA

 

Janet Lamborn, Representative, Peace & Social Concern Committee of Reading Meeting

Reading, PA

 

Reverend Kathleen Lockwood, One Spirit

Stroudsburg, PA

 

Janice Etchison, Oblate, Benedictine Sisters of Erie PA; steering committee, Benedictines for Peace

Erie, PA

 

Reverend Bill Thwing, St. Pauls United Church of Christ

Johnstown, PA

 

Rabbi Linda Potemken, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Wynnewood, PA

 

Edwina Gateley, Roman Catholic

Erie, PA

 

Barbara Roseborough, Benedictine Oblate, Benedictines for Peace

Erie, PA

 

Sister Maria Lucia B. Serano, RSM, Sisters of Mercy

Erie, PA

 

Kathleen Kutz, Director of Religious Education, Benedictans for Peace

Erie, PA

 

Fr. Bernard Survil, Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg

Greensburg, PA

 

Reverend Bebb Wheeler Stone, PhD, Presbyteria Church (U.S.A.)

Mechanicsburg, PA

 

Reverend Daniel W. Hinkle, Episcopal

Atglen, PA

 

Reverend Michael Walker, Unitarian Church of Harrisburg

Harrisburg, PA

 

Rabbi Elliot Strom

Yardley, PA

 

Reverend Darcey Laine, Unitarian Universalist Church of Athens and Sheshequin

Athens, PA

 

Rabbi Marcia Prager, P’nai Or Jewish Renewal Congregation of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

 

Rabbi Yael Levy, Mishkan Shalom

Philadelphia, PA

 

Tom Hocking, UCC Penn Central Conference Environmental Justice Ministry

Lebanon, PA

 

Rabbi Linda Holtzman

Philadelphia, PA

 

Rabbi Rebecca Alpert, Pikkunolam Chavurah

Philadelphia, PA

 

Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Mishkan Shalom

Phialdelphia, PA

 

Rabbi Yaacov Kravitz, Center for Spiritual Intelligence

Elkins Park, PA

 

Rabbi Meryl Crean, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Philadelphia, PA

 

Rabbi Rayzel Raphael

Melrose Park, PA

 

Rabbi Doris Dyen, Makom HaLev Minyan

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Rabbi Carl Choper, Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA

 

Rabbi Julie Greenberg

Philadelphia, PA

 

Reverend Greta Browne, Unitarian Universalist

Bethlehem, PA

 

Pastor John Woodcock, Church of the Loving Shepherd

West Chester, PA

 

Reverend Charlotte H. Whiting, United Church of Christ

Lancaster, PA

 

Rabbi Alanna Sklover, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Philadelphia, PA

 

Pastor Beth Lyon, Glenside United Church of Christ

Glenside, PA

 

Rabbi Elisa Goldberg, Kol Tzedek

Philadelphia, PA

 

Tom Hoopes, Head of Religion, George School

Newtown, PA

 

Reverend Cynthia Crowner, Presbyterian Church USA

Stroudsburg, PA

 

Carolyn Belle Lyday, M.Div., George School Religion Department

Newtown, PA

 

Reverend Michael W. Beynon, United Church of Christ

Harrisburg, PA

 

Reverend Randy Philip Orso, The Universal Life Church Monastery

Hawley, PA

 

Sister Diane Bardol, Social Justice Coordinator, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart

Yardley, PA

 

Sister Mary E. Looby, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart

Yardley, PA

 

Sister Julia C. Lanigan, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart

Yardley, PA

 

Reverend Patricia Pearce, Presbytery of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

 

Reverend Catherine de La Vigne, Universal Life Church Monastery

Spokane, PA

 

Lorrainee Kennedy, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart

Yardley, PA

 

Rabbi Rayzel Raphael

Melrose Park, PA

 

Rabbi Nathan Martin

Philadelphia, PA

 

Rev. Andrea Brown, United Methodist

Lancaster, PA

 

Laurie Stuart, Upper Delaware Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Beach Lake, PA

 

Director, Sister Nora M. Nash, OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

Aston, PA

 

Rev. Greg Kammann, Ph.D., Trinity United Church of Christ

Telford, PA

 

Association of Pittsburgh Priests

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark, Director, Sisters of St. Joseph Earth Center

Philadelphia, PA