USA: Catholic groups thank Obama for veto on oil pipeline

Members of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach and the Franciscan Action Network were among campaigners who gathered outside the White House this afternoon to thank President Obama for his decision to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline. For many weeks they have been appealing for the US government not to allow the project to go ahead.

The Franciscan campaigners said simply: 'Good News' on their Twitterfeed. In a statement the Columban group said tonight: "Join us in thanking President Obama for vetoing the bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline! As people of faith, we are called to be stewards of God’s Earth. The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten the Ogalala aquifer in Nebraska and the water of communities along the pipeline route, and contribute to cancer and asthma rates of Canadian indigenous communities and African American communities near oil refineries in Louisiana.

"Write to President Obama to thank him for vetoing the Keystone XL pipeline. As we have learned from Pope Francis, God's creation is a gift, not something that can exploited for economic gain."

The letter form is available here: https://secure3.convio.net/mssc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=119