Archbishop Richard Clarke, 'We are guardians of the earth'

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 despoilers of its beauty and goodness but our complacency and disregard is also now affecting our own health."
I have to say it is good to hear the spiritual leader of the Church of Ireland talking in these terms. The church also needs to build on these fine words and continue to act to protect the environment and not despoil it.

The RCB, for example, needs to fully divest from fossil fuels and it could do this before the 2022 date that was decided at General Synod in 2018. Bishops could also call for further action from governments in Ireland and UK to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles.

So, this was a good speech and one I’d recommend you to read, you can read the full report here.

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