The measure of sufficiency” “

A denunciation to the Western world that continues to maintain, and to export to other parts of the world, a lifestyle that outstrips the natural possibilities of the planet has been made by the 120 participants at the 5th Assembly of the Ecumenical Christian Network for the Environment (ECEN). Coming from 30 countries of Europe, they met in Basel, in Switzerland, from 4 to 8 May. ECEN, a body set up by the European Ecumenical Assembly in Graz (1997), on the initiative of some “militant Christians”, is supported by the Conference of European Churches (CEC). Its objective is to be the mouthpiece of the sensibility and experience of the European Churches on issues relating to the creation. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRISTIANS. “We are very worried by the deterioration of the ecological and social situation” on a global scale, says the final document of the meeting. In spite of the warnings of scientists and statesmen, the provisions taken to defend the planet’s resources are few and far between. “The causes of the current ecological crisis have their origin in the West, precisely in the countries that claim a Christian heritage. It is essential that the Christians of Europe do not forget the responsibilities they have had, and still have, for imposing poverty and ecological destruction on the poorer nations of the world”, said the English theologian MICHAEL NORTHCOTT. THE RICHNESS OF THE WEST. “Why do you Europeans have a need for three cars per family?”, asked ROGATE REUBEN MSHANA, economist and consultant of the World Council of Churches. “When will you Europeans reach the measure of sufficiency in terms of wealth and comfort?”. Mshana accused Westerners of having brought commerce, Christianity and civilization to Africa at the cost of the destruction of the “sustainable communities that lived in the continent before” and of a growth of poverty and social inequality”. The same denunciation was made for Eastern Europe by JAONOS ZLINSKY of the Regional Centre for the Environment at Szentendre, in Hungary: “fifteen years after the collapse of Communism – he said – Eastern Europe finds itself in a situation of having to cope not only with the environmental and social problems it already had in 1989, but also the problems of the West”. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE? First of all, “proclaiming and denouncing” all the abuses, injustices, transgressions and violations, as prophets in our time; “telling the truth about our own shortcomings and claiming truth from others”; creating “a network between Christian communities” that may act as an encouragement and an incentive; living coherently as Christians and being witnesses of a lifestyle that is respectful and charitable towards our fellowmen and nature”. Numerous “models” and experiences were described during the meeting. The solar panels installed on the roof of the Tituskirche in Basel, where the assembly’s opening liturgy was held, generates 10,000 kilowatts of ecological energy per year, with a profit of 40,000 euros that are spent in Nigeria to purchase solar energy refrigerators for storing medicines. Some monasteries in Romania – which own extensive wooded areas and farmland – have begun a programme to “transform tourists into pilgrims”, bring them closer to nature and win them over to biological production. In England a project of “eco-congregations” has been developed: parish communities submit themselves to an analysis of the management of their own life and mission, to identify changes in habits in the sense of a greater “green sensibility”. The German example of “ecological financial reform” was also recalled: it has produced an 8% saving in fuel consumption in six years. ECEN, for its part, will continue the work of 7 work groups on “time of the creation”, theology of the creation, climate change, mobility, water and training. THE FINAL DOCUMENT, RECOMMENDATIONS. The final document (www.ecen.org) is an appeal to the member Churches of the CEC, to the Bishops’ Conferences of the CCEE and to European governments and institutions. Some specific recommendations are made here. For example: the need is underlined for “Church leaders to make a greater effort to introduce the ‘time of creation’ in their calendar, and “to reduce energy consumption as individuals, churches and communities; it is proposed that a “European campaign of fasting from the use of the car” be organized by Easter 2006″, that support be given to “the purchase of regional products to reduce the transport of foodstuffs and that the use of air travel be avoided for distances of less than 800 km. In view of the third European Ecumenical Assembly at Sibiu (Romania) in 2007, it is proposed that, in the organization of this event, particular attention be paid to the use of materials, waste disposal and recycling. The document also invites participation in “campaigns to insert water among the human rights protected by national and international law”. ECEN will also send a letter to the G8 to be held in Scotland in June to ask for the implementation of provisions for the limitation of Co2 emissions.