California diocese begins project to spread solar energy
August 27, 2014
The Diocese of Stockton has begun a project that encourages local Catholics to install solar panels.
The diocese is encouraging Catholics to purchase panels from Sungevity, an Oakland-based company. In return, Sungevity will donate a total of $750 from every purchase to a local parish, the diocesan Catholic Charities, and the Catholic Climate Covenant, according the National Catholic Reporter.
“But this is so much more than about raising money,” said Bishop Stephen Blaire. “With each solar installation, we are saying to our Creator: we are personally committing to being better stewards of creation by harnessing the power of Brother Sun, as St. Francis would say.”
“I am enormously proud of this new venture because it says that the Catholic community understands that we are in a new age: an age where care for creation and care for the poor are top priorities in a world threatened by environmental harm,” he added.
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Posted by: jimr451 -
Aug. 27, 2014 9:15 PM ET USA
This is paid advertising, plain and simple. The diocese is pushing a specific product from a specific company, in return for a financial reward. If "is so much more than about raising money," then drop the financial tie, and just promote solar power. I mean, when I consult my local bishop for his expertise in residential energy sources, I want to know I'm getting his unbiased opinion. Right?
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Posted by: claude-ccc2991 -
Aug. 27, 2014 6:20 PM ET USA
The problem w/ solar is that it isn't an energy source that produces sufficiently over & above its cost to support society. In order to adequately support our civilization's food growth & distribution, education & so forth, an energy source needs to produce value >7 times the cost of the source - so-called Energy Returned on Energy Invested. Solar falls far below that. We can only do solar now because it piggybacks on energy sources with EROEI's >> than 7. Society would collapse on solar alone.
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Posted by: garedawg -
Aug. 27, 2014 10:33 AM ET USA
I'm as right-wing as they come, but solar panels seem like a great idea to me - save money in the long run and give more to the Church. Whether it is within the competency of the Church to advocate for solar power is another question altogether.
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Posted by: shrink -
Aug. 27, 2014 8:27 AM ET USA
So solar panel awareness is now part of spreading the Good News. Good grief. This kind of pandering to left-wing causes does not bode well in standing up to left-wing assaults.
