A Moral Shift from Oil and Gas Industries for Healthy Environment

Laudato Si' Article 165

"We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels – especially coal, but also oil and, to a lesser degree, gas – needs to be progressively replaced without delay. Until greater progress is made in developing widely accessible sources of renewable energy, it is legitimate to choose the less harmful alternative or to find short-term solutions."

Everyday, I can see pollution from the refinery only a few miles away from the hospital where I work.  I can also see the faces of suffering from patients living with leukemia, lung cancer, respiratory illness, muscular disease, cardiovascular disease and other congenital born anomalies and illnesses.  According to the studies and research, people living near the the oil and gas development chain are at high risk of getting these illnesses.  This chain of risks from harmful chemicals can be traced starting from extraction, transportation, refinement, combustion and the abandonment of wells.  Some of my patients have departed to a place where there is no more weeping while some are fighting with families struggling to make ends meet.  I have seen the families of our patients who also agonizing with their loved ones and later grieving when their loved one's life becomes unbearable.

For some of the people who have been working for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, and those who are open to truth about the environment, and climate crisis, we know the answer to why this is happening.  The action takes time because it requires conversion from the conventional the way things are to a paradigm shift that something different is possible. This is about addressing the moral shift.  We can also recognize that there are also people who do not know the truth or not ready to face the truth about the fossil fuel, that brings the need for advocacies and education.  If we look at the origin of extractivism, this has its roots on power and domination.  Not many people still may not know that plastic and styrofoam are made of oil.  Not many people know that there are clothes that are made of polyster,  Polyster is not a natural fabric but a synthetic fiber, made from oil-derived chemicals.  This is an invitation to reflect on the products that we buy.  Are we creating more demands for oil and gas? How are we participating in increasing the risk into our environment?  How are we contributing to the health risks of the people working and living near the oil and gas chains?  Are we contributing to the moral shift or slowing down the process to move to more conscientious, integral and healthy lifestyle? 

There are people who relies on these industries to put a bread on the table.  This is the intersection of the advocacies for clean and green jobs so that the government and the private sectors can support the health of our communities while addressing a more sustainable and socio-ecologically economic model.  When the people are healthy, the community will thrive, and the society flourishes.

This year is an invitation to be more informed in order to reflect, take action, and to be an advocate of clean economy.

This is an invitation to answer these questions: 

What kind of world are you supporting?      

What environment are we giving to our children?

What are you willing to change? 

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Read More:

Cancer incidence and mortality among petroleum industry workers and residents living in oil producing communities: a systematic review and meta-analysis – IARC

Cancer Incidence and Mortality among Petroleum Industry Workers and Residents Living in Oil Producing Communities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | MDPI

Impact of upstream oil extraction and environmental public health: a review of the evidence - PMC

The human health effects of unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD): A scoping review of epidemiologic studies | Canadian Journal of Public Health

mercury_oil_and_gas_briefing_9_25-1.pdf

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

Looking Back in 2025: The Year that was Gone and for Our Hope that Continues

We have engaged in various projects and collaborations.  We are grateful to our networks of associates and friends who make Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation possible. 

I Shall Not Hate Series of Events

We thank Sister Martha Ann for the "I Shall Not Hate" Project in February.  It was hardwork of taking that step forward, toil of afterwork meetings, and trusting that it will work out amidst the grandness of the project spanning one week.  It was generous of Dr. Abuelaish, a Palestinian Doctor who migrated to Canada that he shared his time in various ways so people can learn about his resilience, love, tenacity, and his ability to forgive.

Legislative Actions

We did a lot of legislative collaborations by writing letters, mailing the letters and also visiting legislators in Austin Capitol several times to personally deliver the message of what we are advocating for.  Below are the Legislative Actions that JPIC or your JPIC US collaborator/and or promoters participated.

1. Texas Impact Legislative Impact on February 21-24: Interfaith communities gathered and learned how to understand the issues of our times in terms of bills surrounding migration, concerns about school voucher system favoring private school than the public school, laws that protects the environment to combat climate crisis, the health system especially the dangers face by women and the vulnerable.

2. Texas Catholic Advocacy Day on April 1: All Texas Bishops and their constituents gathered in Austin Capitol to voice the concerns of the faithful considering the rights of the unborn, the Catholics Bishops favoring the voucher system, equitable and just treatment of those with special needs, the support for a just and non-violent system for the migrants, and agreeing on a few bills that cares for environment.   

3. LCWR Region XII Religious Congregations on April 9 in the states Texas, Arkansas, Arizona and New Mexico gathered in Austin Capitol to voice out the concerns with the migrants, environment and more concerned about the public education system knowing that this is the most accessible education system for the underprivilege and the physically challenged individuals.  The Region XII Religious Congregations of Women is not isolated with their Bishops but highlighted that we support the concerns of the vulnerable. 

4. Sisters Speak Out on June 24: The JPIC collaborated with a long time friend of Incarnate Word Sisters Blanca in Washington DC and a UIW Student Sofia to represent our Congregation and speak of the topics that we are advocating for. 

Prayer and Raising Awareness on Human Trafficking

We encouraged our Sisters and friends to wear blue as a sign of our advocacy against Human Trafficking.  We had a conversation with our ministry leaders and collaborators to be aware of the red flags.  How can we protect the vulnerable not to get into trap?

The Beauty of Nature and the Ruins Brought by Extractivism in Permian Basin

We were in Hobbs, New Mexico where a large part of the oil drilling and fracking are happening.  We saw nature's beauty and prayed with all the people around the world that the water we blessed will quench the thirst of the dry hearts of those not yet ready to face the truth about the need for shift from extractivism to a more integral lifestyle.  We listened to the stories of the migrants, we pondered, and we honor the presence of love in vulnerable communities.

Laudato Si' Movement North America Conference on February 25-27

All of us in the Laudato Si' Movement shared our common desire to care for everyone and to know that there is no change without a community.  We supported each other by stories that shaped communities of the faithful in North America Region.  We prayed for each other and challenged ourselves.

March for Future Generations

Houston being the Oil Capital of the world, it is venue for the International Oil Conference in March.  Sponsored by the Green Faith, the people gathered for several days in March to support the need to shift to clean energy.  People of different walks of life and ages whose loved ones died from cancer, or those who have been affected by extreme weather supported each other in speaking out and raise awareness in the streets of Houston for the sake of future generations.

Laudato Si' Stations of the Cross during Holy Week

We had a stations of the cross for Laudato Si' on Good Friday.  The effects of Climate Crisis were displayed and evidently present in our daily news and television.The Sisters and lay people in the Village were invited to pray the Stations of the Cross reflecting on each of the stations how the people were experiencing the cross through pollution, extreme weather, flooding, forest fire, etc.  

JPIC Collaboration with UIW Brainpower Connection for Sustainability

We are grateful to the UIW Brainpower Connection especially with Ms. Patricia Ramirez and Ms. Karen Gonzalez who tirelessly followed-up and updated us of the status of the four sustainability projects that have been pursued and implemented by the end of the school year.  The children learned rainwater harvesting, school wide recycling, community gardening and most of all the value of community.

The UIW Brainpower Connection also co-sponsored the pilgrimage from the Confluence Park of San Antonio to Mission Conception in honor of Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope.  Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center became the host of the UIW Brainpower School's artworks on October 4, 2025 ending the Season of Creation for the school community with special support from Dr. John Hooker, Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, and Ms. Ramirez, and Ms. Binisa Zentella. 

Laudato Si' Movement's News and Reflection Prayer 

 

We were in June's Reflection for the Month while our story with UIW Brainpower Connection's Sustainability has been posted in the North America's page.  We are raising awarenesss. We need your continued support in prayers and collaboration.

No Kings Protest 

In support of the vulnerable who have been impacted the most, we marched on the streets of our cities not with curses but love and compassion for our neighbors.

Anti-Nuclear Proliferation Advocacy on the 80th Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing

We had Cooper Christiancy explaining the growing movement against Nuclear and the dangers of Nuclear in Pax Christi Forum in collaboration with Laudato Si' Movement TX Chapter.  Christiancy ended it with actions through organizations, bills, and connections.

  

Laudato Si' Action Platform Goals Advocacies through Letters, Conversations, and Pilgrimage

Sisters, Associates, Staffs have been invited to reflect on how their care for creation have been.  It is also an opportunity to engage and explore.  The Congregation, being in its second year on the platform, continues to exercise simple and sustainable lifestyles and with ecological economics in mind.  We are hoping that we are more selective of the purchases we make so that proper remunerations and salaries go to the right individuals.

The Meditation/Quiet Garden in Towne Twin Village

JPIC supported the green project of the Town Twin Village.  This area of the community has great opportunities for people to mingle.  It can be a space to talk under the shade or simply hangout with the nature. It is with hope that when the plants and trees grow in this quiet garden it will be an opportunity for the people to listen to God's plan in their lives as they say God heals and Nature heals.

Annual Season of Creation with Archbishop Gustavo

Usually, the annual pilgrimage starts with the mass in Mission Espada.  We are reminded of what is going on in our planet and the stewardship of the resources.  It is a season to reflect our single use plastic consumption, our fossil fuel dependence, and the food waste. What changes are we willing to make in addition to what we are already doing?

Incarnate Word Sisters and Associates Supported COPS Metro's 50th Anniversary

We thank the COPS Metro for laboring to collaborate with different districts of San Antonio to create a more just and equitable city where all communities can thrive.  COPS Metro celebrated its 50th anniversary with various sister organizations nationwide and across the globe.  The voice has been heard, people want to advocate for the vulnerable, people still care to speak for those who are not able to speak and people opened their hearts to talk about what matters in community and take actions.

Sustainability Project in 2025 Continues in 2026

Saint Anthony Catholic High School has been the recipient of three ecologically friendly and sustainable projects: Gardening Class Package for winning the Season of Creation Artworks raffle, Free Earthworm Composting in collaboration with Climate Reality Project of San Antonio and San Antonio Composting, and Sustainability Grant for their Laudato Si' Classroom.

Other sustainability projects by the UIW Brainpower Connection sponsored by both the JPIC and University of Incarnate Word Ettling Center for Civic Engagement include Community Garden and Food Pantry by Saint Mary Magdalene School and Natural Pest Control and Nature Friendly Habitat for Creatures by Saint Anthony Catholic School. 

We continue to support each other through prayers, ideas, resources, collaborations, and feedback.