|
| If you
would like to find out more about the Episcopal Ecological Network,
please click on the links below. |
| |
Contact information:
Episcopal Ecological Network
c/o C. Morello
4451 Lakeside Drive
Eveleth, MN 55734 USA
e-mail the EpEN Chair
[please remove the square brackets
from the address before sending]
|
| |
|
Eco-Justice Resolutions
from 75th General Convention (2006)
ACC Resolution on
Global Warming
|
Environment: ACC Resolution on Global
Warming
Resolved,
the House of Deputies concurring,
That the 75th General Convention endorse and implement Resolution
13/32 of the Anglican Consultative Council’s meeting in Nottingham
in 2005, submitted by the Anglican Communion Environment Network,
which:
Recommends all Anglicans be encouraged to:
- recognize that global climatic change
is real and that we are contributing to the despoiling of creation
- commend initiatives that address
the moral transformation needed for environmentally sustainable
economic practices such as the Contraction and Convergence process
championed by the Archbishop of Canterbury
- understand that, for the sake of
future generations and the good of God’s creation, those
of us in the rich nations need to be ready to make sacrifices
in the level of comfort and luxury we have come to enjoy
- expect mission, vision and value
statements to contain commitment to environmental responsibility
at all levels of church activity
- educate all church members about
the Christian mandate to care for creation
- work on these issues ecumenically
and with all faith communities and people of good will everywhere
- ensure that the voices of women,
indigenous peoples and youth are heard
- press government, industry and civil
society on the moral imperative of taking practical steps towards
building sustainable communities.
Asks Provinces to take the following
steps urgently:
- Include environmental education
as an integral part of all theological training.
- Take targeted and specific actions
to assess and reduce our environmental footprint, particularly
greenhouse gas emissions. Such actions could include energy
and resource audits, land management, just trading and purchasing,
socially and ethically responsible investment.
- Promote and commit ourselves to
use renewable energy wherever possible.
- Revise our liturgies and our calendar
and lectionaries in ways that more fully reflect the role and
work of God as Creator.
- Press for urgent initiation of discussions,
which should include all nations, leading to a just and effective
development beyond the Kyoto Protocol.
- Support the work of the World Council
of Churches Climate Change Action Group.
- Bring before governments the imperative
to use all means, including legislation and removal of subsidies,
to reduce greenhouse gases.
Explanation:
The second global Anglican conference on
the environment meeting in Canberra, Australia in April 2006 was
the first meeting since becoming an official network of the Anglican
Communion. The focus of the meeting was the challenge posed by global
climate change. The opening paragraphs of the statement adopted
by the Anglican Communion Environmental Network stated:
Holy Scripture reminds us that, "the earth is the Lord's and
everything in it" (Psalm 24:1). All of creation belongs to
God, not to human beings. We are part of the created order and our
first calling by God is to be stewards of the earth and the rest
of creation (Genesis 1:28 -29).
God has called us to stewardship of the world to ensure that it
remains fruitful for the future. We are becoming increasingly aware
that the world is being harmed by us and we know how to eliminate
the harm we are doing. This is a breaking of the most fundamental
commandments known to us, in that we are knowingly causing the degradation
of the world's ecosystems out of our greed and selfishness, rather
than living with and protecting the design that issues from the
Creator's generosity. Adam (humanity) is explicitly told to be content
with what is rightfully allocated (Gen 2:8) and not be tempted to
take that which is appropriately denied. Ignoring this injunction
continues to be our abiding sin. It is one matter to act out of
ignorance, it is quite another to act out of willfulness. Willfully
causing environmental degradation is a sin.
It is clear from the reports of the represented Provinces, and the
presentations of the scientists who spoke during the conference
that humanity has failed to fulfill God's will for creation. The
earth and everything therein now face perilous and catastrophic
environmental destruction, often as a result of human activities.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned that our continued failure
to protect the earth and to resolve economic injustices within and
between societies will lead not only to environmental collapse but
also to social collapse.
"If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation, everything
old has passed away, see everything has become new"(1 Cor.
5:17). The mystery of His creation is still unfolding and, watching
and waiting in hope, we call on the whole Church to respond. What
is now needed is that the stewardship given to us by God be proclaimed
and acted upon, for "all this is from God who reconciled us
to himself for Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation"
(1 Cor. 5:18 -19). We must take the lead from the Holy Spirit to
be instruments in the renewal of that "whole creation"
which has been "groaning in labour pains until now" (Rom.
8:22 ).
We confess that the Anglican Communion as a whole has failed to
promote its mission priority, "to strive to safeguard the integrity
of creation and sustain and renew the earth." We commend our
Anglican/Episcopal brothers and sisters worldwide who are contributing
to the protection of the environment in response to the call of
our baptismal covenant to serve Christ in all creation. "Just
as you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to me"
(Matt. 25:40, c.f. 45).
Submitted by
- Ms. Martha S. Gardner (Newark)
NOTE:
This resolution was acted on by at
least one House but it did not complete the entire legislative
process before Convention adjourned. This resolution did not become
an act of Convention and is considered rejected although D098
gave the Secretary of General Convention authority to refer this
resolution to the Executive Council or to a CCAB (Commissions,
Committees, Agencies and Boards).
|
|
The EpEN is a national network of
active lay and clergy persons within the Episcopal
Church, USA, who share a common concern for the environment
and a common belief in the presence of God in all Creation and
who work to make these concerns and beliefs known throughout all
Provinces and Dioceses within the church. Members come from
around the Episcopal Church USA. The activities of the EpEN
are focused on the areas of Reflection, Education, and Action.
If you would like to contact any of these
groups or to find out more about the EpEN, please click on the
links on the left.
|
Back to Episcopal Resolutions
Page
|
