The COMECE report on climate change includes some universally valid "ethical considerations", "indications for the Christian community" and socio-political recommendation referring to the European Union duties," said Mgr Adrianus van Luyn, Bishop of Rotterdam and COMECE president, expressing his "deep satisfaction" with the document drafted by the expert group. The issue will be brought to the attention of the Bishops’ meeting (Brussels 12-14 November) "along with another urgent matter: the financial market crisis and its effects on the economy and society." "We have to hold that people are not only consumers, but also spiritual beings, in a network of relations," with individual and collective responsibilities towards "the poor and less-developed countries." "Then, we must take into account the well-being of all human beings and every individual," explains Mgr van Luyn to the SIR giving three key-words: "spirituality which is the opposite of secularisation"; "solidarity which is the opposite of every form of individualism"; "moderation, for us to overcome materialism and consumerism leading to environmental degradation."
