Columban Reports on Climate Change

‘Climate change is an unprecedented issue in recent human history, affecting every aspect of life on Earth. The magnitude, severity, and urgency of climate change is difficult to appropriate.’

Thus wrote twenty five Columban missionaries, from 14 countries in a common statement. “We came to a deeper realisation of the impact of destructive human activity on the earth’.

The collected papers and reports of the delegates formed a 397 page book recently edited and published by New Zealand Columban Father Pat McMullan.

As part of growing a Catholic response, papers addressed topics ranging from the practice of contemporary mission and respect for the integrity of creation, through to issues of forced migration and the fact that the poor are impacted first. 

The delegates gathered in Manila September 2007 to begin formalising a Society response to the challenges of climate change resulting from global warming. Reflections drawn from the experience of Columban involvement in 14 countries were given by ordained and lay missionaries, co-workers, male and female.

Australian delegates were Father Charles Rue and Ms Kath Boyle. Father Michael Gormly represented New Zealand Columbans.

The statement said, ‘Columban missionaries already have a significant engagement with climate changes issues and have developed a competence and professionalism. This built on our longstanding connection with the poor among whom we work.’

‘Research highlights that climate change is increasingly, and more severely, impacting on the whole earth community.’ 
 
‘We are learning to be more humble in the face of what the Earth is saying to us now. The endangered Earth demands a new prophetic way of being missionaries … We are called, as in the words of Pope John Paul II, to an ecological conversion.’ 

Fr Charles Rue SSC is the Coordinator of Columban Justice Peace Integrity and Creation (JPIC).

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Further Review: Climate Change: the agenda for mission today