"NEW YORK -- There will be prayer vigils and pilgrimages, policy briefings and seminars, and sermons in parishes from the U.S. to the Philippines.

When Pope Francis releases his much-anticipated teaching document on the environment and climate change in the coming weeks, a network of Roman Catholics will be ready. These environmental advocates - who work with bishops, religious orders, Catholic universities and lay movements - have been preparing for months to help maximize the effect of the statement, hoping for a transformative impact in the fight against global warming.

'This is such a powerful moment,' said Patrick Carolan, executive director of Franciscan Action Network, a Washington-based advocacy group formed by Franciscan religious orders. 'We're asking ourselves, `What would be the best way for us to support the faith community in getting this out and using it as a call to action?''  "

Rachel Zoll reports for the Associated Press May 24, 2015. [2]