Divesting from fossil fuels

“We, Cardinals, Patriarchs, and Bishops, issue a general call and make ten specific policy proposals. We call on COP 21 . . . to develop new models of development and lifestyles that are climate compatible, address inequality and bring people out of poverty. Central to this is to put an end to the fossil fuel era, phasing out fossil fuel emissions, including emissions from military, aviation and shipping, and providing affordable, reliable and safe renewable energy access for all.”

Continental Bishops’ Conferences, COP 21 Appeal

“Yet even more worrying is the continued search for new fossil fuel reserves, whereas the Paris Agreement clearly urged keeping most fossil fuels underground. . . .Civilization requires energy, but energy use must not destroy civilization!”

Pope Francis, speech to fossil fuel CEOs and investors, June 2018

“We reiterate our urgent call to “put an end the fossil fuel era” through a rapid transition to an economy powered by renewable energy, as we know from scientists that most fossil fuel reserves need to remain underground.”

Continental Bishops’ Conferences, Joint statement on climate justice

“The signs today are not good. Investments in fossil fuels continue to rise, even though scientists tell us that fossil fuels should remain underground.”

Pope Francis, address to finance ministers May 2019

“We assume and support the divestment campaigns from extractive companies related to the socio-ecological damage of the Amazon, starting with our own ecclesial institutions and also in alliance with other churches.”

Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region, Final Document 70

“The businesses, national or international, which harm the Amazon and fail to respect the right of the original peoples to the land and its boundaries, and to self-determination and prior consent, should be called for what they are: injustice and crime. When certain businesses out for quick profit appropriate lands and end up privatizing even potable water, or when local authorities give free access to the timber companies, mining or oil projects, and other businesses that raze the forests and pollute the environment, economic relationships are unduly altered and become an instrument of death.”

Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Querida Amazonia 14

“Yet even as we feel this healthy sense of indignation, we are reminded that it is possible to overcome the various colonizing mentalities and to build networks of solidarity and development. “The challenge, in short, is to ensure a globalization in solidarity, a globalization without marginalization”.[15] Alternatives can be sought for sustainable herding and agriculture, sources of energy that do not pollute, dignified means of employment that do not entail the destruction of the natural environment and of cultures.”

Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Querida Amazonia 17

“Spread the use of ethical, responsible and integral criteria for investments, avoiding the support to harmful companies to human or social ecology (for example abortion and weapons) and for environmental ecology (for example fossil fuels).”

“Promote social and environmentally responsible investments, for example by evaluating the progressive divestment from the fossil fuel sector”

Journey Toward our Common Home, Five years after Laudato Si, Interdicasterial Working Group  Of The Holy See On Integral Ecology p. 178,179

“We know that the fossil fuels are causing the climate crisis and destroying our planet. Still, we keep on investing [in] the dirty fossil fuels.. It is a physical imperative that we change course, that we divest… It is also a moral imperative. Our own brothers and sisters around the world are already suffering due to the climate crisis, and we cannot push them to greater sufferings… It is also a theological imperative. Earth is God’s creation entrusted to our stewardship. We need to take care of God’s creation. So let us be courageous. Let us divest.”

Salesian Fr. Joshtrom Kureethadam, head of Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development‘s ecology and creation sector, May 19th 2021

“Given the harm that the production and consumption of fossil fuels is causing to the environment and to populations in low-income countries, it was not right to profit from investment in these companies … “Disinvestment is a sign that justice demands that we must move away from fossil fuels.”

Bishop Bill Nolan of Galloway, head of the Scottish Bishops’ Conference October 26th 2021

“Given the harm that the production and consumption of fossil fuels is causing to the environment and to populations in low-income countries, it was not right to profit from investment in these companies … “Disinvestment is a sign that justice demands that we must move away from fossil fuels.”

Bishop Bill Nolan of Galloway, head of the Scottish Bishops’ Conference October 26th 2021