Theology & Scripture

Theology

The Theological links between Social Justice and Christian Mission

• ACSJC - Bruce Duncan and others http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au
• Official Church Documents: Action for justice is a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, ...of the churches mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation. (Justice in the World  - Synod of Bishops 1971)
• US bishops http://www.usccb.org/
• OFM site Rome www.ofm-jpic.org/globalwarming
• Columban General Assembly 2000 Paraphrase (Ch.3 Nos. 47-55) – a world torn apart undermines the well being of the world’s population and the planet. God given redemption revealed in Jesus Christ continues through the ministry of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), promoting the Reign of God. Globalisation and bio-technology bring new challenges as manifest in the Patenting of Life and Migration of Peoples. Other Challenges are Environmental Degradation, Human Rights, International Debt Relief, and Oppression of Indigenous People. (Cultural Diversity and Inter-religious Dialogue are recognised as contexts for these challenges).
• On 30 June 2008 Pope Benedict inaugurated the year of St Paul to celebrate the second millennium since his birth. He called him the Teacher of the Gentiles whom we venerate. We must learn from St Paul to look with affection upon the people to whom we have been sent … Following his example, we must be refashioned ourselves. (more)

Scripture

Prayer and Scripture Resources

Prayer

God, our Creator,
You have given us the Earth, the Sky,
the Rivers and the Seas.
Show us the way to care for the Earth
not just for today but for future generations.
Let no plan of ours damage or
destroy the beauty of creation.

Season of Creation

Dr Norman Habel is coordinating a discussion between the Christian traditions with the hope of introducing a Season of Creation into the Liturgical Year. Already several traditions have prepared a three year series of Scripture Readings and Prayers to be used during the month of September and leading up to the feast of St Francis of Assisi. www.seasonofcreation.com

Interfaith

The National Council of Churches Australia (NCCA) has published position papers, education kits and materials for prayer services making links between Christian faith and environmental issues. www.ncca.org.au

Since 1986 the World Council of Churches (WCC) has had a significant commitment to exploring Earth issues. The diverse cultural aspects of environmental issues and respect for Creation have been a feature of its deliberation. http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/jpc/ecology.html

Having people from different faith traditions working together for the common good the aims of Faith and Ecology Network Sydney (FEN). The group is open to all and members meet several times a year to address an environmental issue. It aims to promote mutual understanding among the faiths on an issue and present a united public stance. [cf PEJ archives]