A Gentle Roar

In 1996, representatives from an assortment of Catholic organizations in the Hudson River bioregion came together to talk about environmental goals and challenges. Most of these groups – 15, including the Sisters of Charity, the Maryknoll Sisters, and the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill – had stewardship over tracts of undeveloped land, which they wanted to care for responsibly. They called themselves Religious Organizations Along the River (ROAR).

Members of ROAR at a climate change march in Manhattan.

“Ecologically sound care of Earth is a God-given mission,” ROAR’s mission statement declared, and the members pledged to “support one another in using the land under our care with respect for its integrity, revelatory nature and beauty” and “address the inter-related issues of poverty, injustice, and ecological deterioration in this bioregion.” Since ROAR’s founding, its member organizations have donated hundreds of undeveloped acres to regional land trusts to be protected in perpetuity from development. Many of these tracts are open to be enjoyed by the public.

ROAR also collaborates with other groups such as the Metro New York Catholic Climate Movement to advocate for broader environmental goals, educating and mobilizing Catholics on issues like protecting clean water, reducing plastic use and containing climate change through safe, renewable energy choices. ROAR’s Facebook page (facebook.com/ROARHUDSON) is regularly updated with news and event announcements.
 

Read the full issue of Archways Summer 2019 here!