Ecological culture” “

The 6th Consultation promoted by the Council of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE) on “The responsibility of the churches and religions for the creation” ended in Namur (Belgium) in recent days. Its participants included over 60 delegates from 22 countries, representatives of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace, of the European Ecumenical Network for the Environment (ECEN), of Iustitia et Pax Europe, and of the union of religious orders UCESM. The meeting closed the cycle of six consultations organized by the CCEE since 1999. One of the main findings that emerged from the Consultation is that “inter-religious dialogue is also a necessary presupposition for ecological responsibility”, and since “behind every conflict there’s a problem of the distribution of natural resources”, “concrete actions and active dialogue are needed to ensure that ecological conflicts” are “blocked and not transferred to the religious level”. During the meeting, the “ecumenical” projects for the environment of various European countries were described. We present some below. BELARUS. The country has a degraded natural environment: with 23% of the territory contaminated by radioactive wastes, it still suffers the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. In the region of Gomel, where the victims of thyroid cancer are increasing – currently there are over 9,000 – the non-governmental organization “Polesie”, which can count on the support of numerous Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant volunteers and is working in close contact with the parish of the Nativity of the Mother of God, is developing various projects for environmental protection and ecological and social assistance to the inhabitants. Through seminars and round tables in parishes and schools, sound information is provided on the risks of nuclear contamination, on how to live in a healthy way and how to cultivate “clean” farm produce. “Polesie” has also activated a telephone hotline providing medical and ecological information for citizens. CZECH REPUBLIC. The Catholic Church is participating in the public debate on ecology, one of the most deeply felt issues in the country, through the Czech Christian Academy (CCA). Founded in 1997, the CCA is aimed at studying and diffusing the theology of the creation and Christian ethics, developing an awareness of the common responsibility for the creation in all Christian communities, and promoting ecumenical relations. To this end the CCA’s ecological department holds meetings, participates in the publication of the periodical Universum, prepares articles on environmental issues for the Christian and secular press, and collaborates with the “Rocha” organization, which organizes environmental activities in Bohemia. BULGARIA. Bioethics, protection of human life and education in ecology are the main focuses of attention of the “ecumenical” activities of the Churches in a country where most people are not in the habit of protecting the environment and where the Christian communities are conscious of the need to develop a proper sense of responsibility on the matter. To this end, mountain excursions are organized by Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant groups to clean up the natural environment by involving young volunteers, believers and non-believers. The Churches, however, consider that their main priority is to create a genuine “ecological culture”, for example, through legislation that imposes severe restrictions on the market in used cars, which must conform to precise ecological standards. ENGLAND AND WALES. The main means of ecumenical cooperation for the environment is the presence of the Bishops’ Conference in the “Environmental Issues Network” (EIN) of the Council of the Churches of Great Britain, which this year began collaboration with various NGOs, including the Christian Ecology Link. This year’s activity has concentrated, in particular, on the issue of genetically modified organisms (GMO) due to the heated national debate on transgenic wheat. An agency of the Bishops’ Conference, the National Board of Catholic Women (NBCW), is involved in consultations on food safety with the FAO and the WHO. ITALY. The work group “Responsibility for the creation”, promoted by the Office for social and labour problems of the Italian Episcopal Conference, organises conferences, drafts handbooks and encourages the development of the ecumenical and inter-religious dimension of environmental commitment. That commitment is still in its infancy, but can already claim some valuable experiences, such as the Meeting in Umbria on water in late April, and an educational week promoted in 2002 by the Secretariat for ecumenical activities. In Milan the theme of the defence of the environment is tackled by the diocese in collaboration with the Council of the Christian Churches, which represents various confessions, and which promotes the ecumenical days “Time for the Creation” each year”.