The cry of the Earth

A warning about the environment as well as an invitation to take immediate action to protect the Creation – this is the content of the Irish bishops’ pastoral reflection on the environment presented on 10 November, at “St Francis of Assisi” primary school in Belmayne, Dublin. The 20-page document entitled “The Cry of the Earth” was presented to the press by the students of the institute and by Mgr Dermot Clifford, archbishop of Cashel and Emly. It will be made available to all parishes in English, Irish and Polish along with a reflection in DVD format. The choice of the institute “St Francis of Assisi” is not coincidental. The school is in fact located near “Father Collins Park”, a sustainable park run on recycled energy. It is the first time that the Irish bishops’ conference has discussed the subject of environment in such an exhaustive and accurate way. “The Cry of the Earth” is divided into three parts: the most up-to-date data on global warming and what is happening in Ireland, a list of suggestions inspired by the Scripture and by the Catholic doctrine on how to save the environment, some practical advice for individuals, parishes and schools on recycling and environmentalism. The bishops recall that every action contributing to a more sustainable world, no matter how small, has intrinsic value for it helps building a better world.Change mentality. In the introduction to the bishops’ reflection card. Sean Brady, Primate of Ireland, underlined “how we respond to climate change will have consequences for the future of every person and every form of life on the earth”. Remembering the words of Benedict XVI the cardinal added that “what is needed is an effective shift in mentality which can lead to the adoption of new styles in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness and communion with others for the sake of common growth are the factors which determines consumer choices, savings and investments.” “A change in mentality is necessary to lead to the adoption of new life styles where research for truth, beauty, good and communion with others are the elements that guide consumption, saving and investment choices”.Scientific data. Bishops’ Pastoral reflection starts with a list of the most important scientific data on global warming. Used sources are: “The Intergovernmental panel on climate change”, the United Nations Organization and the World Meteorological Organization and “the Irish Agency for environmental protection” to ponder on the most important scientific discoveries on environment. Numbers at hand, bishops pointed out that Ireland has warmed up more rapidly than other areas of the world and that in the Irish islands, within 2050, southern and western coasts might reach temperatures of 8 degrees Celsius. Public authorities will be pressed to guarantee drinking water for Dublin and other cities situated in the eastern part of the country. Shortage of water will have an impact in growing potatoes, risking the extinction of 20% of Ireland’s native species of plants. Climate a common good. Looking the Church’s social doctrine and the document dedicated to common good, bishops highlighted that “nations need to cooperate and sacrifice short-term objectives, or even national interests, for the sake of global common good” because “action we are taking today could undermine the well-being of millions of people, especially the poor, and condemn future generations to live in an ailing planet”. “Climate is a global public good that must be protected and currently Ireland is not respecting its legal and moral commitments taken towards the rest of the world by exceeding its emission targets”, the letter states. “No one individual or country can claim ownership or dominance over the climate”, the bishops wrote confirming the importance of the principle of subsidiarity, wanting each individual and group to do what it can locally to address an issue that is common to all. By renewing the appeal in their document “Towards the global common good” that stressed “the moral imperative that the measures set out in the National Climate Change Strategy 2000 are implemented with greater speed”, we all have role to play: homes, schools, parishes, companies and governments”. Bishops call for a greater commitment by rich countries, including Ireland, to the “Adoption Fund” within the UN Climate Change Convention “to help poor countries to adapt to climate change”. Practical suggestions. The letter concludes with an appeal to act straight away and some practical suggestions. The Irish Episcopal Conference informs that each parish can get a resource pack that contains a ten-minute video reflection. The bishops web site www.catholicbishops.ie, where all these resources are available, includes also information on “Support the Trocaire Climate Change campaign”, with postcards to sign to elect representatives at the Copenhagen Conference in December. Also invitations to review all practices in favour of environment in all parishes and an appeal to families, schools and individuals to calculate their carbon footprint and set target to reduce emissions online. There are also climate initiatives such as recycling proposed by “”Churches together in Britain and Ireland” and environmental programme “Eco-congregation Ireland”.