Joint statement on climate change

 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church have issued a joint statement on climate change, which underlines the urgency of the situation. Here are some excerpts: (LINK)

"...by concentrating on our wealth we find that long-term assets, including the bounty of nature, are depleted for short-term advantage." (p.2)

"The extreme weather and natural disasters of recent months reveal afresh to us with great force and at great human cost that climate change is not only a future challenge, but an immediate and urgent matter of survival." (p.3)

"We frequently hear from young people who understand that their futures are under threat. For their sake, we must choose to eat, travel, spend, invest and live differently, thinking not only of immediate interest and gains but also of future benefits. We repent of our generation's sins." (p. 4)

"To those with more far-reaching responsibilities – heading administrations, running companies, employing people or investing funds – we say: choose people centered profits; make short-term sacrifices to safeguard all our futures; become leaders in the transition to just and sustainable economies." (p. 5)

"Caring for God's creation is a spiritual commission requiring a response of commitment. This is a critical moment." (p.6)

Our parish has an eco-committee, which is a start, but we should not imagine that a few changes to our building or our grounds will do enough to stem the crisis. As the three Christian church leaders have made clear, we have a personal responsibility that must be taken seriously for the sake of God's creation.


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