For the first time, the heads of the Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox churches came together to draw attention to the “climate crisis.” They called on all people to look beyond their immediate interests in order to care for the poor and preserve natural resources for future generations.
“As leaders of our Churches, we call on everyone, whatever their belief or worldview, to endeavor to listen to the cry of the earth and of people who are poor, examining their behavior and pledging meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the earth which God has given us,” wrote Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
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Titled “Joint Message for the Protection of Creation,” it is the first joint declaration from all three leaders on the subject of climate change. They highlight the connection of all parts of the world, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is the first time that the three of us feel compelled to address together the urgency of environmental sustainability, its impact on persistent poverty, and the importance of global cooperation,” they wrote.
The statement traces the climate situation to human selfishness and admonishes people to look beyond their short-term material gain to care for the future of the planet and its people. The church leaders claimed that “the people bearing the most catastrophic consequences of these abuses are the poorest on the planet and have been the least responsible for causing them.”
“We have maximised our own interest at the expense of future generations,” the statement continued. “By concentrating on our wealth, we find that long-term assets, including the bounty of nature, are depleted for short-term advantage.”
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The statement precedes the United Nations climate change conference, COP26, that will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in November and asks the faithful to pray for the world leaders who will participate in the discussions.
