A symposium on animal species; collaboration with the WWF in France; the setting up of a work group of environmental questions and a study on ecology and sustainable development carried out by the Centre of Peace Studies at the Catholic University of Paris: these are just some of the environmental initiatives promoted by the Catholic Church in France in 2001. The symposium on animals was attended by 70 scientists and religious exponents; the interventions mainly focused on questions relating to the growth of trade in endangered species; intensive farming; and experimentation on animals. In November last year, the French WWF invited representatives of the Christian Churches, Jews, Moslems and Buddhists to the Orthodox monastery of Solan, near Avignon for an exchange of views on the theme “Religions and environment”. Following that meeting, at the suggestion of the Social Commission of the Bishops’ Conference, a work group was set up on environmental questions. The study conducted by the Catholic University of Paris has as its title “ Development and future of humanity: a challenge for peace“. “ The attention to environmental questions says Jean-Pierre Ribaut, president of the “Creation and sustainable development” Commission of Pax Christi is slowly growing among Christians in France. Week-end retreats, meetings and other events ever more often focus attention on the responsibility of Christians for the safeguard of the creation“. A handbook containing the conclusions of the “Chantilly Colloquia” is about to be published: the issues treated include reconciliation with the creation, sustainable development and new lifestyles; ethical guidelines for intelligent consumption.
