The Three Appalachian Pastoral Letters

This special 2025 anthology celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the first Appalachian Pastoral Letter issued in 1975, "THIS LAND IS HOME TO ME - A Pastoral Letter on Powerlessness in Appalachia by the Catholic Bishops of the Region."

The anthology includes introductory reflections and the full text of this letter and the two subsequent ones, which are the 1995 letter titled "AT HOME IN THE WEB OF LIFE - A Pastoral Letter on Sustainable Communities Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of This Land Is Home to Me from the Catholic Bishops of Appalachia," and the 2015 letter titled "THE TELLING TAKES US HOME - Taking Our Place in the Stories that Shape Us, A People's Pastoral from the Catholic Committee of Appalachia."

All three Appalachian pastoral letters stand out as poetic and prophetic models of Catholic Social Teaching's use of social analysis, biblical-theological reflection, and strategic planning for a future civilization that will be peaceful, just, sustainable, and spiritually grounded.

The first pastoral, THIS LAND IS HOME TO ME, has had enormous influence on the Catholic Church in the Appalachian region and also nationally and even internationally. The following two pastorals are equally significant. All together, these three unique document constitute a special treasure in the evangelical legacy of the Catholic Church within the United States.