Columbans from both the Peru Region and internationally were actively engaged in the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP 20) in Lima in December. Sean McDonagh, Peter Hughes, and Cesar Correa were all presenters on three separate panels speaking about Climate Change and Catholic theology, Extractive Industries, and Water. Laura Vargas, Gabriel Rojas and Bernie Lane, played key leadership roles in the year preparing for the COP20 and the two weeks of the Conference. Other Columbans participating in the COP activities included Tony Coney, Noel Kerins, Chris Baker, Liam Carey, and Ioanne Gukibau as well Columban students.
COP 20 was not limited to a Peru Region endeavor. Many parts of the Columban world including Sydney, participated in the Light for Lima prayer vigils.
There rightly was a feeling of disappointment at what was not accomplished by COP delegates to bring the world closer to climate justice.Wealthy countries were accused of not living up to promises made to mobilise serious money to help poor countries fight climate change However, there were many positive aspects:
Photo: Columbans joined thousands of marchers in Lima, Peru, demanding climate action by world leaders at COP20
Photo credit: Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach,USA.
Youth played a prominent role in the various activities in which Columbans participated. From the interfaith conference on Climate Change, to the evening interfaith vigil, to the day-long march on International Human Rights Day, youth of all ages infused the spaces with light, color, music, dance, joy and faith. During a workshop on Youth and Climate Change I attended at the conference, I could see the students also brought seriousness to understanding the science and the interconnectedness of Climate Change with economics, politics, and society.
The song of the people could be heard in the voices of women, of indigenous people, of workers, of farmers and many others who feel most acutely the impacts of climate change. One indigenous woman described how for them, exploitation and harm to the Earth is entirely unthinkable as Earth is Mother. It was a real invitation to reflect deeper on how we understand and experience our relationship with Creation.
Several of us walked in the March for Climate Change for more than four hours. It felt like a Columban pilgrimage witnessing our commitment to Care and Respect for Creation. So often climate change is debated with a sense of doom, but as Resurrection people and instruments of God’s love in the world, I was reminded that we live actively in hope and believe in the power of God to heal the brokenness that exists between the human and natural world for nothing will be impossible for God. (Lk 1:37)
Amy Echeverria is the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Co-ordinator on the Central Administration Council of the St Columbans Mission Society. She is a mother of two who lives in Washington, USA.
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