TrewsNews

Yesterday was the seminar on 'Helping parishes respond to climate change' organised by the Church of Ireland. It was very good to see this happen in Belfast and the was a lot of interest from attendees on how churches can do more on climate. I was one of the speakers and it was great to have a full room in the Council Chamber in Church House in Belfast, beside the beautiful cathedral. I have reproduced the slides and the text of the talk below. A Biblical Perspective on the Environment [Slide 1] I have been asked to set the scene and provide a Biblical Perspective on the environment. But to be honest, I do not know why I was asked, for I am not a theologian nor I am not a clergy person. But I think the reason might be this - several years I was impacted by what the Bible has to say on about creation, how we treat it, and how the church has responded to the crisis unfolding before us. And we are facing a crisis. Be it climate change, pollution, or loss of bio...

During synod season I always read on the speeches of the various bishops in the diocesan synod presidential addresses. Today I was pleased to read that the Bishop of Armagh, The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, spoke about the health of the planet. It was a good speech that focused on various aspects of health – mental health, political health and the health of the environment. Here are some of the best quotes, "It will be our children and grandchildren who will pay a terrible price if we do not act as responsible guardians of the health of the earth on which we have been placed." This is one of the best quotes I have ever heard our archbishop on the state of the creation. He goes on, "We are nearing the point where the wasteful pollution and unnecessary heating of this planet is about to find a tipping point from which there can be no return. We have been placed on this earth by God to protect its health and wholeness. We are the guardians of its health, not the despoi...