Faith Groups Call for Change to the Growth Economy
At the very successful FEN Forum held in Sydney on July 23rd, representatives of different faith groups agreed, “The Earth is our common home. It is sacred and in urgent need of protection.” They also agreed that many of the threats facing planet Earth have been created by heavy reliance on economic growth and that this needs to change.
After listening to input from environmental scientist Haydn Washington about the biophysical limits of planet Earth, a Hindu priest, a Catholic nun, a Zen Buddhist, a Muslim teacher and a Jewish Environmental Lawyer shared briefly their suggestions for alternatives. There was lively discussion about the problems and possible ways forward. All agreed that we need to realign the values that prioritise “the market” over the well-being of peoples, all other species and ecosystems. A common statement was presented which will be available on the FEN website for anyone to use as an advocacy or information resource. Video footage of the speakers will soon be available for use as a resource. This may be especially useful in faith community gatherings and in schools.
Catholic Season of Creation Liturgy Resource Launched
Charles Rue launched the Catholic Season of Creation Liturgy Resource for Year B. It is designed to help Catholic believers better celebrate Spring and God as Creator. Based on the liturgical Scripture and Prayers of the 4 Sundays of September, the Resource offers stories, quotations and explanations about God’s love active in all of creation. http://www.columban.org.au/resources/season-of-creation-sundays-of-september-year-b
Visit by Amy Echeverria-Woolam
We welcomed the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Co-ordinator for the Central Office of the St Columban’s Mission of Society, Ms Amy Echeverria-Woolam, to our offices at North Sydney. Amy described her role in working with all the different Mission Units around the world as like being a “basket weaver”, weaving together the various strands of amazing work done by Columbans into one missionary basket. She has established working groups on Education, Advocacy and Invitation who meet by Skype every couple of months in order to share, focus and collaborate their resources and energies. An example of this collaboration was the Columban response to Laudato Si’. This collaboration will continue and strengthen.
New Faith Ecology Network Web Platform.
The Faith Ecology Network launched its brand new website at the FEN forum in Sydney on July 23. The new and improved website uses a platform that encourages user participation and will enable us to build the network nationally. Content includes a new blog and latest news section, statements from past events and detailed information on faiths and ecology issues. View the new website here: http://faithecology.net.au
Schools Involvement
Anne Lanyon has been involved in several school activities:
- As a member of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Technical Committee to assess grant applications for environment projects in schools. It is pleasing to see more Catholic schools getting involved in environmental activities.
- As a result of doing workshops in schools, she was interviewed for a research project on global education. It was a privilege to be able to contribute a missionary perspective to such research.
- Engaged students from St Columba’s College, Springwood in workshops on the topic of “Our Plastic Footprint”. Again it was a privilege to have the opportunity to tap into their enthusiasm.