Catholic World News News Feature
Patriarch, Pope join in plea for the environment September 05, 2007
Environmental scientists are gathering in Greenland this week for a conference on protecting the Arctic ecosystem. The meeting is sponsored by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople.
The Orthodox Patriarch-- who is in Romania this week, attending the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly-- said that the conference is part of an urgent effort to address concerns about the environment.
"There is no time for waiting or delay," Patriarch Bartholomew said. Disregard for environmental problems, he said, means "irresponsibly-- even dangerously-- shutting our eyes" to problems that will affect the future of mankind. Insofar as human action has contributed to environmental problems, he called for "repentance, together with the change of life that accompanies repentance."
During his regular weekly public audience at the Vatican on September 5, Pope Benedict XVI sent his greetings to participants in the meeting in Greenland, and promised "my support for their efforts."
"Protecting water resources and paying attention to climate change are important issues for the entire human family," the Holy Father said. He added that care for the environment is a welcome sign of "better respect for the wonders of God's creation."
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