European Churches" "
“New guidelines for a sustainable agricultural landscape” is the title of the text prepared by an ecumenical work group established by the German Episcopal Conference and by the Council of Evangelical Churches. The document aims to contribute to the question of agricultural policy. The communiqué reads: “The guiding ethical perspective for a forward-looking economy of the land is the principle of sustainability, to which Churches by virtue of their Christian responsibility for creation are obliged”. Therefore, “the central element of this contribution to the discussion is, apart from an analysis of the situation, to delineate ethical directives for a sustainable agricultural economy”. It is a question of “overall responsibility and of ensuring sustenance”, but at the same time “of solidarity with agricultural workers”, as well as the “promotion of a new culture, of the ethics of sustenance and of a change in lifestyle”. “Agricultural policy is facing difficult decisions” say Cardinal Lehmann and Manfred Kock, president of the Council of Churches, and the document should contribute to an “understanding between the various interests and points of view” as the challenges can be overcome only through the collaboration of all those who work in the sector.
