The recent Catholic Times featured an article on a diocesan Theological Research Center and its academic presentation on the theme of "Church Response to Climate Change" "It's difficult to solve the climate problem without God".
The discussion wanted to find the role of the church in the climate crisis. A retired bishop gave the keynote talk and said: "The Bible teaches that the owner of the garden is God, and humans are only tenants." At the same time, he said that although the church's greatest concern has been human beings, humans have been able to survive in the support of other creatures, so "the church's awareness and prospects must expand and rise to the salvation of all creatures, not just humans."
Another professor agreed with the bishop and emphasized that all that we humans have was received (1 Cor 4:7). "It's necessary to know what we have received, to know, understand, and be grateful for all." We are blessed to know that we are like a grain of earth. In particular, the professor said understanding ecology is understanding oneself, and we have to choose whether to destroy or protect ourselves.
Another professor "If God is the premise, it becomes easier to establish a relationship between humans and nature." In his presentation on Understanding Climate Change: Science, Ethics, and Christian Faith, he mentions that St. Francis saw nature as being with autonomy and that humans were one of the species of life. He advised that accepting this will open the way to overcome the climate crisis. At the same time, the professor added, "Without a father, we cannot become brothers and sisters with nature, and only when we presuppose God the Creator, can we become Brother to the Wolf and Sister to the Bird, as St. Francis said."
A director of a Ecological Spirituality Institute gave a presentation on 'Laudato Si' and Thomas Berry’s ecological thought. The priest introduced Pope Francis and the ecological theologian Thomas Berry as two giants who embody the life of Saint Francis in a modern context. In particular, he emphasized that Pope Francis emphasized ecological repentance and Thomas Barry sacrifice, saying, 'Laudato Si' and Thomas Barry’s ecological thought are the most important teachings for us living in an era of ecological crisis.
A religious sister who participated in the presentation, made practical suggestions for the Korean church to respond to the climate crisis more effectively. She raised the need for a committee dedicated to pastoral care for ecology and environment in each parish, and that the implementation goal should be consistently emphasized in the bishop's messages to the diocese at least during the 'Laudato Si' 7-Year Journey': [Respond to the Cry of the Earth—to the Cry of the Poor— Support Ecological Economies—Adopt Sustainable Lifestyles—Develop Ecological Education—Foster Ecological Spiritualistic—Encourage Community Resilience and Empowerment] Along with this, she suggested strengthening ecological environment education for priests and seminarians, spreading the ecological apostolate group 'Heaven, Earth, Water, Friend', and expanding the ecological and environmental apostolate of religious congregations.
The priest director of a Theological Research Center at a Catholic University, also emphasized that "We need to take the responsibility as the creature being the main cause for the climate crisis and work towards the solution.
At the same time, he said: "We need challenges and courage in the face of change." "The church, which serves the world, seriously needs to contemplate the climate problem facing all creatures based on our confession of faith in God, who created and wants us to live fully as his loving creatures. It is time to do this and take concrete action.
