Multifaith community mobilizes to preserve creation ahead of COP15 biodiversity summit

Nations are gathering in Canada this week to complete a global, once-in-a-decade conservation pact to protect ecosystems amid increasing threats to biodiversity and warnings that upwards of 1 million species could face extinction by century’s end.

Along with government officials and activists, representatives of the world’s religions will also be in Montreal for COP15, the United Nations biodiversity summit, where they hope to raise both moral principles and policy priorities on preserving creation.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Dec. 6, 2022 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=12883
Categories: NCR • In this article: biodiversity, environment, multifaith, United Nations Transmis : 6 déc. 2022 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=12883
Catégorie : NCR • Dans cet article : biodiversity, environment, multifaith, United Nations

Ecology comes first, “no ifs ands or buts” say religious congregations

Twenty religious congregations have joined together to lobby Ottawa politicians on climate change and social justice.

Since September, the Office of Religious Congregations for Integral Ecology has been quietly meeting with MPs and Senators of all parties, making the case for thoughtful, planned changes to the structure of Canada’s economy.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Dec. 3, 2022 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=12885
Categories: Catholic Register • In this article: climate change, ecology, environment Transmis : 3 déc. 2022 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=12885
Catégorie : Catholic Register • Dans cet article : climate change, ecology, environment

Every Part of Creation Matters: New CEC publication

Caring for God’s creation is an integral part of the calling of the churches. How can this be done? The question is explored in depth in the new publication titled Every Part of Creation Matters published by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in partnership with Globethics.net.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Nov. 23, 2022 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=12865
Categories: News, Resources • In this article: Council of European Churches, creation, environment Transmis : 23 nov. 2022 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=12865
Catégorie : News, Resources • Dans cet article : Council of European Churches, creation, environment

Pope calls for the ‘courage’ to ‘abandon fossil fuels’

Pope Francis has told young economists, entrepreneurs and university researchers that the world’s development model must be seriously questioned and reformed without delay.

The pope made his appeal this past Saturday in Assisi before a thousand young adults from around the world who were gathered in Assisi for a three-day meeting titled “The Economy of Francesco”, which explored ways to create sustainable and ecologically viable development.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Sept. 26, 2022 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=12525
Categories: La Croix • In this article: economy, environment, Pope Francis Transmis : 26 sept. 2022 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=12525
Catégorie : La Croix • Dans cet article : economy, environment, Pope Francis

“Living Planet” statement from WCC 11th Assembly seeks a just and sustainable global community

A statement from the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly, “The Living Planet: seeking a just and sustainable global community,” raises an increasingly urgent voice of concern and demand for action.

“We are all interdependent in God’s whole creation,” notes the statement’s introduction. “We are running out of time.”

We must repent from our continuing human selfishness, the statement urges. “Christ’s love calls us to deep solidarity and a quest for justice for those who have contributed to this emergency the least, yet suffer the most, physically, existentially, and ecologically,” reads the statement.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Sept. 8, 2022 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=12475
Categories: Conferences, WCC News • In this article: climate change, ecology, environment, WCC, WCC Assembly Transmis : 8 sept. 2022 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=12475
Catégorie : Conferences, WCC News • Dans cet article : climate change, ecology, environment, WCC, WCC Assembly

Global religious leaders, scientists join to release “Faith and Science: An Appeal for COP26”

Global religious leaders and leading scientists issued a joint statement on 4 October calling on the international community to raise their ambition and step up their climate action ahead of COP26.

Almost 40 faith leaders signed the joint appeal, which was presented by Pope Francis.

Signatories included World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, along with representatives from across the Christian denominations, Sunni and Shi’a Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism and Jainism.

The appeal calls for the world to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as soon as possible, and to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Oct. 4, 2021 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10908
Categories: Documents, Vatican News, WCC News • In this article: climate change, COP26, environment, interfaith statements, Pope Francis, WCC Transmis : 4 oct. 2021 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10908
Catégorie : Documents, Vatican News, WCC News • Dans cet article : climate change, COP26, environment, interfaith statements, Pope Francis, WCC

Catechism will be updated to include ecological sins, pope says

Following through on a proposal made at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, Pope Francis said there are plans to include a definition of ecological sins in the church’s official teaching.

“We should be introducing — we were thinking — in the Catechism of the Catholic Church the sin against ecology, ecological sin against the common home,” he told participants at a conference on criminal justice Nov. 15.

Members of the International Association of Penal Law were in Rome Nov. 13-16 for the conference, which centered on the theme, “Criminal Justice and Corporate Business.”

Pope Francis also denounced the abuse of law and legislation to justify acts of violence and hatred.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Nov. 15, 2019 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10690
Categories: CNS • In this article: catechism, catholic social teaching, environment Transmis : 15 nov. 2019 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10690
Catégorie : CNS • Dans cet article : catechism, catholic social teaching, environment

Conference calls for ecological reformation of Christianity

“An ecological reformation of Christianity is a matter of repentance, conversion, and renewal for all Christian traditions,” reads the “Volos Call,” a statement issued after a meeting of church representatives from different traditions and all continents, held in Greece, between 10-13 March.

Gathering at the Academy of Volos for the international conference on Eco-Theology, Climate Justice and Food Security, participants stressed the concern that “an ecological reformation of Christianity (in all its traditions) is possible, but can remain authentic only if it stays in the Spirit and is expressed in the form of a humble prayer: Veni, Creator Spiritus! Come, Holy Spirit, renew your whole creation!”

According to the statement, an ecological reformation of Christianity “implies a twofold critique, namely both a deeper Christian critique of the root causes of ecological destruction and an ecological critique of forms of Christianity which have not recognized the ecological dimensions of the Gospel.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Apr. 7, 2016 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=9131
Categories: Communiqué, WCC News • In this article: creation, ecology, environment, Reformation Transmis : 7 avril 2016 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=9131
Catégorie : Communiqué, WCC News • Dans cet article : creation, ecology, environment, Reformation

Ecumenical Patriarch’s encyclical issues call to dwell in harmony with God’s creation

As part of the observation of the Time for Creation, Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, has once again sent an encyclical to remind churches and people of goodwill about the grave risks deriving from growing abuse of energy resources, threatening to increase global warming and the sustainability of the natural environment.

“We invite everyone to soberness of life, purification of passionate thoughts and selfish motivations, so that we may dwell in harmony with our neighbours and with God’s creation,” said Bartholomew I.

These reflections were shared by the Ecumenical Patriarch on the occasion of the start of a “Time for Creation”, a global event which invokes prayers for creation, eco-justice and peace with the earth. It has been celebrated each year since 1989 from 1 September to 4 October. This year’s event has been promoted by Pope Francis’s recent proclamation of 1 September as the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.”

The Time for Creation was affirmed by the WCC Central Committee in 2008 as an invitation “to observe through prayers and action a special time for creation, its care and stewardship.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Sept. 1, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8667
Categories: Documents, WCC News • In this article: Bartholomew I, creation, ecology, encyclicals, environment Transmis : 1 sept. 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8667
Catégorie : Documents, WCC News • Dans cet article : Bartholomew I, creation, ecology, encyclicals, environment

Churches to pray for care of creation

Joined in prayer, Christian churches around the world will again observe the ecumenical “Time for Creation” (1 September to 4 October), this year bolstered by Pope Francis’s recent proclamation of 1 September as the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.”

The movement toward a yearly commemoration of the biblical mandate to exercise stewardship over God’s creation (Genesis 1:26-28) first took shape following a 1 September 1989 encyclical from the late Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I of Constantinople in which he extended an invitation to “the entire Christian world to offer together with the Mother Church of Christ, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, every year on this date prayers and supplications to the Maker of all, both as thanksgiving for the great gift of creation and as petitions for its protection and salvation.”

The pastoral letter from Dimitrios continued, “At the same time we paternally urge, on the one hand, the faithful in the world to admonish themselves and their children to respect and protect the natural environment and, on the other hand, those who are entrusted with the responsibility of governing the nations to act without delay, taking all necessary measures for the protection and preservation of natural creation.”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and related ecumenical bodies have adopted a “Time for Creation” as an emphasis in the church year, running from the beginning of the Eastern Orthodox liturgical year on 1 September to the feast-day of Saint Francis of Assisi observed by the Roman Catholic Church on 4 October. This initiative arose directly from the Ecumenical Patriarch’s 1989 encyclical.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Aug. 20, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8658
Categories: WCC News • In this article: climate change, creation, ecology, environment, prayer, WCC Transmis : 20 aoüt 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8658
Catégorie : WCC News • Dans cet article : climate change, creation, ecology, environment, prayer, WCC

Pope Francis adds ‘secular Jewish feminist’ Naomi Klein to climate team

If proof were needed that politics really does make odd bedfellows, the sight of progressive Canadian activist Naomi Klein on a Vatican platform with the pope’s personal spokesman on Wednesday, joining forces in the push for stronger environmental protection, probably provides it.

“This is an alliance on a specific issue, not a merger,” said Klein, who defines herself as a secular Jewish feminist.

“No one is being asked to agree on everything, nor do we agree on everything related to climate change,” she said.

Despite that, she said, the secular left and the Catholic Church can still do business based on Laudato Si’, Francis’ encyclical letter on the environment released in June.

The Canadian activist admitted to surprise at being invited to speak at the Vatican, saying it illustrates a “growing understanding” about environmental concerns that has forged surprising and unlikely partnerships, with people otherwise at loggerheads willing to overcome long-standing differences to work together to “save ourselves.”

“We understand that the stakes are so high, time is so short and the task is so large that we cannot afford to allow those differences to divide us,” Klein said on Wednesday.

Klein’s comments came as she participated in the presentation of an upcoming “high-level” conference she will be co-chairing with Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: July 1, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8607
Categories: News • In this article: ecology, environment, Pope Francis, Vatican Transmis : 1 juil. 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8607
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : ecology, environment, Pope Francis, Vatican

Defining moment: Glossary of terminology used in Laudato Si’

In his brief pontificate, Pope Francis has coined some colourful terms to get his points across, for example, using “bat Christians” to describe those who hide their faith.

While the new phrases he uses in his ecology encyclical are not as punchy, they succinctly help illustrate his points that care for the environment is a human and moral obligation, that global warming and pollution have an unfairly heavy impact on the poor and that a real commitment to ecology will entail individual conversion and changed political and economic priorities.

The following is a list defining some key phrases Pope Francis uses in the encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: June 19, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8614
Categories: CNS • In this article: ecology, encyclicals, environment, Pope Francis Transmis : 19 juin 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8614
Catégorie : CNS • Dans cet article : ecology, encyclicals, environment, Pope Francis

All creation sings God’s praise, but people are silencing it, pope says

The earth, which was created to support life and give praise to God, is crying out with pain because human activity is destroying it, Pope Francis says in his long-awaited encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”

All who believe in God and all people of good will have an obligation to take steps to mitigate climate change, clean the land and the seas, and start treating all of creation — including poor people — with respect and concern, he says in the document released at the Vatican June 18.

• Laudato Si’: Arabic Deutsch English Español Français Italiano Polski Português

… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: June 18, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8611
Categories: CNS • In this article: ecology, encyclicals, environment, Pope Francis Transmis : 18 juin 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8611
Catégorie : CNS • Dans cet article : ecology, encyclicals, environment, Pope Francis

There is no conflict between our faiths and the science of climate change

On Thursday, Pope Francis issued a powerful and timely encyclical on the environment, urging humanity to come to its senses and cease its reckless onslaught against God’s creation. He addressed this letter not only to his fellow Catholics, but to all people of the world, asking people of different religious traditions to unite in common purpose to save our planet.

As religious figures, we too accept the overwhelming scientific consensus that global warming comes from human activity, as we see no conflict between faith and reason.

And, coming from the three great Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – we stand together on the need to be good stewards of the earth. All of our traditions affirm the inherent goodness of all creation, and the binding obligation on human beings to protect our common home, the planet that sustains us. The Hebrew Scriptures state clearly that the Earth belongs to God alone, and that we are merely sojourners – we do not have ownership on a permanent basis: the fruits of the earth belong to all, including the poor. This ancient teaching is affirmed by both Christianity and Islam. Christians also view the world through a sacramental lenses, believing that the redemption of Christ has in turn redeemed all of creation. And Islam can be thought of as a religion of nature, with 750 verses in the holy Qur’an speaking about our responsibility to the environment and our relationship with all creatures. Islam too recognizes that everything in the heavens and the earth belong to God, and that we are mere trustees and vice-regents.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: June 18, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8597
Categories: Opinion • In this article: climate change, ecology, encyclicals, environment, interfaith, Pope Francis Transmis : 18 juin 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8597
Catégorie : Opinion • Dans cet article : climate change, ecology, encyclicals, environment, interfaith, Pope Francis

Protecting people means protecting the planet, Cardinal Turkson says

Pride, greed and selfishness are destroying the planet just as they destroy human lives, said Cardinal Peter Turkson. However, with action inspired by good stewardship and solidarity, people can ensure that the Earth is “a nurturing home for every man, woman and child in every country and in every generation,” said the cardinal, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Turkson, who oversaw work on a first draft of Pope Francis’ upcoming encyclical on ecology, addressed the general assembly of Caritas Internationalis in Rome May 14. Pope Francis is publishing the encyclical, he said, “not to enter into scientific and financial debates, but to remind the world that our choices are ultimately moral in nature,” including when it comes to safeguarding creation. “This is an all-embracing moral imperative: to protect and care both for creation — our garden home — and for the human person who dwells therein,” the cardinal said. “Without stewardship, the Earth will be less and less habitable,” Turkson said. And without solidarity, “greed and rivalry will wreak ever greater havoc.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: May 15, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8320
Categories: CNS • In this article: Catholic, environment, justice, Vatican Transmis : 15 mai 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8320
Catégorie : CNS • Dans cet article : Catholic, environment, justice, Vatican

Central Themes in Recent Catholic Teaching on the Environment

A new Canadian bishops’ document summarizing themes of recent church teaching on the environment is an urgent cry for action, says Bishop Donald Bolen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. “Recent church teaching and papal statements are clearly telling us that the way we are living is not sustainable,” said Bolen, one of the bishops on the Canadian bishops’ Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace, which released the new resource April 8 entitled “Building a New Culture: Central Themes in Recent Church Teaching on the Environment.” “Care of the environment is a growing area of concern for the Church and for all human beings, and in fact the Church has been speaking about this – and in particular, recent popes have been speaking about this – not only with regularity, but with passion,” said Bolen.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Apr. 8, 2013 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=3590
Categories: News, Resources • In this article: bishops, Canada, CCCB, creation, ecology, environment, theology Transmis : 8 avril 2013 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=3590
Catégorie : News, Resources • Dans cet article : bishops, Canada, CCCB, creation, ecology, environment, theology

Can Faith Communities Change the Climate?

Faith communities throughout Canada believe they have a moral responsibility to address global warming. As a result, religious leaders have prepared a Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change. This is among the first times that such a broad interfaith effort at a faith leaders’ letter has been undertaken in Canada.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Oct. 25, 2011 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=1820
Categories: Documents, News • In this article: Canadian Council of Churches, climate change, ecology, environment Transmis : 25 oct. 2011 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=1820
Catégorie : Documents, News • Dans cet article : Canadian Council of Churches, climate change, ecology, environment

Towards an eco-theology

The accepted axiom is, as the climate changes so the world, too, will change in dramatic and sometimes undesirable ways. What does this often rapid change mean to Christians whose faith is intertwined with the glory and beauty of God’s creation, but challenged when that creation is corrupted and irreversibly altered?
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Mar. 30, 2011 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=1813
Categories: Opinion, WCC News • In this article: climate change, ecology, environment Transmis : 30 mars 2011 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=1813
Catégorie : Opinion, WCC News • Dans cet article : climate change, ecology, environment

Green church program aims at environmental awareness

More help is being offered to churches that want to do something about climate change.

The Montreal-based Canadian Centre for Ecumenism has launched the Green Church program to advise churches on ways to reduce their carbon footprint and lower heating bills. Joined with Toronto-based Greening Sacred Spaces, Green Church will offer certification to churches that achieve a high level of environmental awareness and act on it starting in April 2011.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Nov. 25, 2010 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=1780
Categories: Catholic Register • In this article: creation, environment Transmis : 25 nov. 2010 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=1780
Catégorie : Catholic Register • Dans cet article : creation, environment

KAIROS Week of Action: Connecting Climate Justice and Global Poverty

Beyond the traditional categorization of climate change as an environmental issue, it is clearly also a development issue; a poverty reduction, food security, economics, health, human rights, governance and equality issue. It is a Millennium Development Goal issue. (UN Millennium Campaign)

… continued
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Posted: Oct. 9, 2009 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=602
Categories: News • In this article: Canada, climate change, development, ecology, environment, KAIROS, poverty Transmis : 9 oct. 2009 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=602
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Canada, climate change, development, ecology, environment, KAIROS, poverty