Catholic Leaders to Discuss the U.S. Church's Reception of Pope Francis' Encyclical on Ecology at National Press Club Newsmakers News Conference

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three prominent Catholic leaders will speak at a National Press Club Newsmakers news conference on Wednesday, September 16, highlighting the activities of the U.S. Catholic Church in response to Pope Francis's groundbreaking encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si' on the eve of the Pope's visit to the United States.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, FL, Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, NM and Dr. Carolyn Woo, President & CEO of Catholic Relief Services will discuss the U.S. Church's efforts to teach and act on the vision of Pope Francis that connects our care for creation to our care for one another. Faced with many human and climatological crises, the call to protect the most vulnerable, those least able to adapt, is more critical than ever.

The two bishops are heading up the response to Laudato Si' for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Archbishop Wenski chairs the USCCB's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Bishop Cantú chairs the Committee on International Justice and Peace. Dr. Woo was a speaker at the Vatican's press conference for the presentation of Laudato Si' and serves as President & CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency for the Catholic community in the United States.

As U.S. Catholics prepare for Pope Francis' historic five-day visit that begins September 22, Archbishop Wenski, Bishop Cantú, and Dr. Woo will address respect for life, care for immigrants, climate change and poverty, among other issues. The Catholic leaders will discuss the work of the USCCB and CRS in advocating for the poor and vulnerable of all communities with elected leaders as Congress prepares to receive the Pope for his address to a joint session on Sept. 24.

This NPC Newsmakers news conference is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 at 1:30 PM in the Press Club Ballroom on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building, 529 14th St. NW, Washington DC 20045. John Hughes, President of the National Press Club, will be moderating the discussion.

Like all Newsmakers events, this news conference is open to credentialed media and club members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.

Moderator: NPC President John Hughes

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Contact:  Tony Gallo NPC Newsmakers Event Host, 202-544-6973, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club