Living waters.

PORTLAND, Oregon--After four years of hearings, listening sessions, the opinions of 2,000 people, and a draft report posted to the Internet for comments--perhaps a first for a Catholic pastoral letter--late last winter the Catholic bishops of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia British Columbia, province (2001 pop. 3,907,738), 366,255 sq mi (948,600 sq km), including 6,976 sq mi (18,068 sq km) of water surface, W Canada. Geography
released their pastoral letter Pastoral letters are open letters addressed by a bishop to the clergy or laity of his diocese, or to both, containing either general admonition, instruction or consolation, or directions for behaviour in particular circumstances. The Columbia River Columbia River

River, southwestern Canada and northwestern U.S. Rising in the Canadian Rockies, it flows through Washington state, entering the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Ore.; it has a total length of 1,240 mi (2,000 km). Watershed: Caring for Creation and the Common Good.

The letter reviews the present situation of the watershed, which encompasses 259,000 square miles and 1,200 miles of river, and highlights examples of the region's great natural beauty, sound environmental stewardship The integration and application of environmental values into the military mission in order to sustain readiness, improve quality of life, strengthen civil relations, and preserve valuable natural resources. , and extreme environmental degradation Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife. .

The new pastoral also reflects on the region's history, envisions a viable and sustainable future for the watershed, and seeks ways to realize this vision--all through the eyes of scripture and Catholic teaching on stewardship, respect for nature, and the common good.

The pastoral is notable for its international effort to bring together the views of diverse groups--from Native Americans to industry, farming, and shipping interests--all in a geographical area where discussions of environment and the impact of commercial activities on natural resources are highly charged.

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Title Annotation:	pastoral letter published; The Columbia River Watershed: Caring for Creation and the Common Good
Publication:	U.S. Catholic
Article Type:	Brief Article
Geographic Code:	1USA
Date:	May 1, 2001
Words:	182
Previous Article:	VERBATIM.(quotations)
Next Article:	Using common sense.(Common Ground Initiative to address age rift in church)(Brief Article)
Topics:	Watersheds Environmental aspects

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