Coming fresh off the Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference, where I participated in the eco-justice track and was surrounded by Christians working for environmental justice, I am further heartened by the following two news items, both announced today.

First, the Vatican spoke to the faithful this weekend about the "new sins" of our times. In addition to the area of bioethics (where I disagree with Rome on stem cell research), Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti, the Vatican's number two man, also listed "ecological" offenses. Indeed, Pope Benedict has recently said more than once that climate change is an important concern for the entire human race. The Vatican has hosted a scientific conference in the past to discuss the ramifications of global warming/climate change.

Second, the New York Times reported today that 44 Southern Baptist leaders are backing a declaration calling for more action on climate change, saying their previous position had been "too timid." Their 2007 position was more skeptical about climate change. Guess they've seen the light. The signatories include the current and past two presidents of the Convention, so these are no rogue "liberals." They reiterated the biblical mandate for humanity to be stewards of the earth, and called on Baptist ministers to preach on the topic.

Between the Catholics and the Southern Baptists, we are talking about the two largest religious groups in the country. And at least for the Southern Baptists, we are talking about a traditionally conservative group. The fact that they are both now talking about the need to action on climate change is wonderful.