A highlight of the day will occur when
Viterbo becomes the 14th Catholic College and University in the U.S. to
endorse
the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor. President Rick
Artman will endorse the pledge in a brief 3 p.m. ceremony at
the Dancing Francis sculpture located in Assisi Courtyard. Students and
staff will also have the opportunity to individually sign the covenant during
the event. Immediately after the ceremony, participants will be offered a
walking tour that highlights Viterbo’s current sustainability efforts.
“I am
very pleased Viterbo University will be a part of this effort to promote
sustainability,” Artman said. “As a Catholic, Franciscan institution, respect
for the environment and concern for the plight of all of creation is deeply
embedded in our identity and heritage. St. Francis of Assisi and his great love
and respect for ecology and all of God’s creation, is as popular and relevant
today as when he lived over 800 years ago.
“Viterbo was founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the
sisters have certainly been leaders in supporting efforts directed to the
environment and sustainability,” he added.
The
university commits to examine five areas of emphasis and develop practical
plans for these areas: pray, learn, assess, act, and advocate.
In
addition to joining other Catholic colleges and universities such as Notre
Dame, Saint John’s University (Minn.), Loyola University (Ill.) and Neumann
University (Penn.), 40 other national Catholic organizations and 7,500
individuals have signed the pledge. These include the Association of Catholic
Colleges and Universities and the Association of Franciscan Colleges and
Universities. More details on activities occurring nationally related to the
pledge can be found at www.catholicclimatecovenant.org.
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