Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Justin Welby
published a joint opinion column in The New York Times on the day after the
encyclical’s launch. They reinforced its
call to act on climate change as a ‘shared moral responsibility and urgent
requirement.’ There have been a number
of multi-faith marches since the letter to call for action on climate
change. It is greatly to be hoped that
Lenten inter-church study and prayer groups can be organised. Ash Wednesday is little more than three weeks
away. Easter is very early this year and
Lent begins on 10th February.
It would be very appropriate if we could arrange to have an
environmental inter-church Lenten exercise – even in the short time available.
We had a very interesting ecumenical meeting last
Monday and I was delighted that such a proposal – inspired by Pope Francis
letter – came from a member of one of the other churches. But there is no shortage of interesting
material. Operation Noah has produced a
six week programme ‘Between the Flood and the Rainbow’ as well as a five week
Lent Course ‘Climate Change and the Purposes of God’. Both look at the causes and impact of Climate
Change. They give insights from
Scripture and suggested action based on respect for the earth. They can be
downloaded from www.operationnoah.org.
There are various materials available. Perhaps families might be able to download
material that they can use during Lent.
There is a pack produced by the Methodist Relief and Development Fund
with Bible Readings, activities, discussion questions prayers and action ideas. Its aim is to provoke practical responses and
to encourage people to rethink their attitudes and everyday lives in new and
creative ways. It can be downloaded from
www.allwecan.org.uk
During Lent we hope that a number of discussion and
prayer groups could meet in the Chapel each week. Perhaps there could be a morning, afternoon
and evening group? We would be delighted
if someone – or two people jointly – were to offer to lead such a group. I would be willing to lead a group myself. Please let me know this weekend if possible
if you can lead a group and when. The
important thing is that as many people as possible take part – whether in
church groups, inter-church groups, family groups, small groups of
friends. From these groups hopefully a
number of initiatives may emerge which will have a beneficial effect on our
shared home. Before Easter groups might
like to report back on what ideas they came up with so that we can share these
insights with the Parish of English Martyrs and the other Goring churches.
This is what Pope Francis called for in his
encyclical. If it doesn’t happen his
words will just remain words. The encyclical has been a timely and resounding
act of papal leadership but are we willing to follow? A major change in our lifestyle is called
for. We must realise that we cannot go
on as we have been. Our past behaviour
has been a major factor in the damage already done to our environment and to
our shared home.
In view of the situation in which the earth is now,
what changes should we expect in the conference agendas of our bishops, in the
Sunday homilies, in school textbooks, in family spending, in the construction
and adaptation of our buildings and homes, in how we use our cars, central
heating, air-conditioning systems and foreign travel? The earth has been here before us. It has been given to us to safeguard, not to
use as we like!
