Pope Francis: Declare Moratorium on Antennas in Churches, Investigate Environmental and Health Impacts of Wireless Exposures

Dear Pope Francis,

The Catholic Church has an extensive history of bringing issues of social injustice to the attention of the world community, and inviting Catholics to take actions that reflect a moral stance--such as defending migrant workers, boycotting companies (like Nestles) exploiting poor mothers in South America, as well as taking action to feed the hungry and advocate for the disenfranchised.

We are grateful for your efforts seeking to acknowledge the dangers of Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, it took presence and courage for you to address rampant cellphone use and its impact on society. We commend you for saying, "Mass is for lifting hearts not cellphones." and encouraging Catholics to curb their use of cellphones and social media in observance of Lent.

But now, the world needs you to do more.

The Church recently adopted a moral stance concerning fossil fuels, resulting in divestment. We ask that the Church, under your leadership, now take urgent and immediate action regarding questions of safety, security, and sustainability of wireless technologies.

There is ample evidence to show that mobile technology contributes significantly to our carbon and ecological footprint, as well as ozone and resource depletion, which will be made far worse with 5G due to the launch of thousands of satellites in the sky, the implementation of billions of new transmitters, and the production of trillions of new gadgets. Impoverished countries are being directly exploited due to conflict mineral mining and e-waste issues. Wireless technologies create and exacerbate preventable risks to society, including internet addiction involving both children and adults, surveillance, privacy invasion, cyber safety vulnerability, excessive energy consumption, environmental degradation, and reported health issues.

The industry and its regulators have admitted that exposure limits may not protect all individuals in all circumstances. Insurers refuse to provide liability coverage, and telecom companies have warned their investors that they may face expensive lawsuits regarding health damages. Peer reviewed science shows that long-term exposure to radio frequency emissions can lead to physical and cognitive problems, such as memory loss, mood disorders, sleep disorders, and depression. A clear link to cancer has also been demonstrated by the 2018 US National Toxicology Report and the 2018 Ramazinni Study.

Wired, cabled telecommunications systems reduce many unnecessary risks. Wired connectivity does not result in the potential abuses of power, environmental destruction, surveillance, and health issues associated with wireless technologies.

But as the result of the current pandemic crisis, the threat of disaster capitalism and decision-based evidence-making supporting wireless infrastructure, enabled by AI, is exponential.

By hosting cellphone towers in steeples, the Church is participating in, and benefitting financially from, the growing wireless paradigm.

Thank you for your kind attention.
Patricia Burke
In support of SafeG.net and Stop 5G International