by Sister Ellen Dunn
Last month, Pope Francis launched a global initiative that integrates faith and environmental sustainability. It entails a seven-year journey for Catholic institutions and is named after his landmark document, “Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home.” I am excited to have my own Dominican Sisters of Peace joining this initiative. A major insight of the church’s message is environmental and social justice concerns are two sides of the same coin, a concept that Pope Francis calls “integral ecology.”
As I examine the political landscape, I find it very natural to draw comparisons between the ideals of integral ecology and the “Build Back Better” legislation currently moving through Congress. As we continue to rebuild after the pandemic, Pope Francis calls us to recommit to our values: “This is a moment to dream big, to rethink our priorities — what we value, what we want, what we seek … God asks us to dare to create something new. We cannot return to the false securities of the political and economic systems we had before the crisis.”
The Build Back Better Act that just passed the House does, in fact, help us prioritize people and the planet in new and important ways. While it is natural for people of goodwill to disagree about specifics, I urge our politicians, including my fellow Catholic, Sen. Joe Manchin, to embrace President Biden’s forward-thinking plan.
Policies that benefit the people of this country and state should also benefit the earth on which we live. Here in West Virginia, we have seen too much social breakdown because corporations are rewarded for putting profit ahead of the common good. Workers and their families suffer; communities suffer; the environment suffers.
On the flip side, the twin hallmarks of a sustainable industry are viability for the earth and feasibility for families. I hope Sen. Manchin will advocate on behalf of families by investing in the growth of renewable industries. Solar Holler is a West Virginia company that proves this ideal is attainable. Its workers have family-sustaining careers and are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union. The planet is protected by the clean energy it produces.
Solar Holler is one example that gives me hope for the future. I am convinced it is an inspiring model for how to implement the Build Back Better Act. As Pope Francis reminds us, we can only attain true progress when environmental and social concerns work together, and each side of the coin receives the attention it needs.
Another aspect of progress the Build Back Better Act addresses is access to broadband. As our West Virginia members of Congress, including Sens. Manchin and Capito, have noted, West Virginia needs broadband in order to move forward. This technology has the capacity to promote equal opportunity for all. It can help level the playing field across geography and socio-economics.
The pandemic has highlighted how a lack of consistent internet can aggravate existing imbalances. We can all agree our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and neighbors need broadband if they are to thrive in our global economy. I am reminded of the proverb, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” The fact is, we will all benefit from broadband! When all citizens can reliably access the gifts of connection and information, we will come closer to true and lasting progress.
While it is true all human plans and policies are imperfect, we cannot let the myth of perfection prevent us from taking steps in the right direction. I urge all of our political leaders to step out of their partisan bubbles and engage in honest dialogue. Working toward the common good is the only sustainable path forward.
Along with my neighbors — whom God calls me to love as I love myself — I am counting on our leaders to make good decisions. Let us take Pope Francis’ encouragement to heart and “rise again” from this pandemic with bold and innovative policies that protect people and the earth.
