Photo caption: A reporter interviews Keysar Trad, spokesperson for the Islamic Grand Mufti.
Asked by a reporter if it is proper for Faith Groups to speak out about Climate Change in an open letter at the time of a Federal election, representatives of major Australian religions replied, "Yes, it is our duty".
The open letter was launched on 4 July, 2013 as organised by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC). It reiterated the scientific warning of an unthinkable four degree Celsius rise in temperatures if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase at the present rate. Recent experiences of extreme weather are a mild foretaste of what this will mean. We are on this pathway if Australia continues to export cheap coal. The open letter concludes that this is a major election issue.
Sixteen signatories to the letter united Anglican, Baptist, Catholic and Uniting churches. Inter-faith signatories represented Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Jewish religions. The open letter was signed by Archbishop Phil Wilson representing the Catholic bishops through Catholic Earthcare; Sr Annette Cuncliffe RSC as leader of Catholic Religious Australia; and Prof. Neil Omerod from the Australian Catholic University.
Columban Fr Charles Rue said that engagement with the world was the motto given to the Church at the Second Vatican Council - 'The joys and hopes, the pain and anxiety of the people of this age are those of the followers of Christian believers'. Fr Charles shares that we have to engage with the policy makers among investors and governments to implement the changes climate experts argue are needed.
Keysar Trad, spokesperson for the Islamic Grand Mufti, said, "It is a matter of social justice. This generation cannot rob our children and future generations by our profligate use of carbon."
Jacqui Remond, Director of Catholic Earthcare Australia, also shared, "There is a wide moral issue at stake about the way we treat the biosphere and all parts of God’s creation".
Climate Change issues will be to the fore as rallies by country people bring their concerns about coal seam gas to their city cousins. The 'Lock the Gate' Alliance asks people in the city to join forces with them to protect irreplaceable farmland and water resources for the long term future of Australia.
Upcoming public event - 14th August, 2013
The Faith and Ecology Network (FEN), representing eleven religious traditions, will hold a Prayer event in the Martin Place Amphitheatre in Sydney titled, 'Respect Creation'. This public prayer and meditation vigil about mining fossil fuels will be held on Wednesday 14 August at 4:30-6pm.
God will not be mocked or cheated by our self-indulgence (Gal 6:7-10) is a sobering Scriptural passage to remember. But St Paul concludes with the Spirit giving hope so to never tire of doing what is good.
To read the ARRCC open letter please click here.
Fr Charles Rue SSC is the Coordinator of Columban Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC) in Australia.
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