Lutheran Archbishop Anders Wejryd met with Pope Benedict XVI early this month, and among the topics discussed was the world's environment. As reported by Catholic World News, Archbishop Wejryd told Vatican Radio that it is "pretty sure we will have to change our ways of life in a rather profound way" to avoid ecological disaster. A particular issue raised was global climate change.
This ecumenical interest in ecology shouldn't be a surprise. The evidence is substantial that mankind's willful violations of natural laws are changing our planet's ecosystem for the worse-most notably, our atmosphere, which has so many pollutants in it these days that it's trapping more and more solar energy. This, in turn, is making global temperatures rise.
While some are not convinced by the science of global climate change, atmospheric and environmental scientists from around the globe are reporting trend after trend that give pause.
It is unfortunate, then, that the person best known for calling attention to global climate change is not a scientist. Instead he is the one-time presidential hopeful and avid abortion supporter Al Gore, who has culled together a documentary on the issue-one for which the Hollywood glitterati bestowed an Academy Award. Most recently, Gore has been lampooned in the news for a failure to practice what he preaches when it comes to energy conservation.
While Gore's apparent hypocrisy is evident when it comes to protecting human life, the sobering science in his documentary An Inconvenient Truth may not be so easily dismissed. While many are taking issue with his conclusions, many others applaud them. While some see no reason to change our ways, others (like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency) are prompting action.
Recognizing our common concern for creation, a local group of ecumenically and ecologically minded religious leaders and faith-based social justice workers have been meeting these past few months to discuss what can be done in Rhode Island to environmental protection.
Among the ideas proposed is a series of statewide showings of An Inconvenient Truth at places of worship and religious educational centers across the Ocean State, especially on or around this coming Earth Day, April 22. A number of religious communities have signed on, and to that may very well be one or two Roman Catholic parishes, should those reading this be so inclined.
It must be noted up front that Mr. Gore's film is not gospel, and it should not be presented as such. But An Inconvenient Truth does make for a good, lively conversation-and a good opportunity for parishioners to get together, share a meal, or a muffin and coffee, and take part in this ongoing global conversation. After seeing the film, which runs some 90 minutes, people will certainly want to share their views. To foster discussion there are resources online, or at your local library, to help guide and direct the conversation-and while it's helpful to have a facilitator that's somewhat familiar with ecology, it takes no special training to help folks share their reactions.
Questions worth asking are, is Gore's science selective or impartial? What's the current news about climate change? And if global warming is really happening, what should Catholics do to minimize the social impacts, such as to those living in areas that may be flooded from rising sea levels?
The goal of a parish-offered showing of An Inconvenient Truth is not to make us all atmospheric scientists. It is instead a chance to both become familiar with the arguments being made supporting global warming, and to let people make up their own mind whether or not the arguments make sense.
At the very least, showing the documentary may spark enough interest among parishioners to learn a little more about ecology in general and- importantly-to join in a growing ecumenical movement that is insisting that our governments and our industries take seriously the protection of God's life-giving creation.
For assistance in facilitating a parish showing of An Inconvenient Truth, contact Pat Jaehnig of the Diocesan Office of Community Services and Advocacy at 421-7833 x 101, or by email at _pjaehnig@dioceseofprovidence.org. Additional information about global climate change can be found at _http://www.epa.gov/climatechange_ (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange).
(This column originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)
