Statement on Colorado's wildfires

Archbishop Chaput's statement on the June 2000 wildfires which destroyed many homes throughout Colorado.

June 16, 2000

"The fires of the last week show us just how precious God's creation is. We can sometimes take the beauty of Colorado for granted. But the devastation of forest lands and the destruction of family homes, combined with the struggle of so many ranchers and farmers across the state who urgently need moisture – these things remind us that the world is a fragile place, and our job is to protect, steward and share it well.

"I ask Catholics and every person of good will across northern Colorado to pray in the coming days for the firefighters who are working so hard to contain these blazes; for those people left homeless by this natural disaster; for the many farmers and ranchers damaged by these drought conditions; and that God will send us the rain we need to end these fires and restore our crops."

+ Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Denver