Climate Justice

 

“Let the Earth Breathe”… Calls for Climate Justice Ring Out. 

Street Mass for the ‘919 Climate Justice March’ being celebrated in Seoul, Korea. 

The desperate cries of the faithful, urging action to avert the climate crisis, rang out in Jongno, Seoul.

The ‘919 Climate Justice March Street Mass’ was celebrated on September 19 in Seoul, presided over by Bishop Kang Woo-il (Peter), former Bishop of the Diocese of Jeju.

Approximately 500 people participated in the Mass, including members of co-hosting organizations.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Kang Woo-il stated, “Our small acts of participation can save the Earth, our only home,” adding that [we must not] destroy the Earth... ...let us ask for forgiveness for the wrongs humanity has inflicted.” In his subsequent homily, Bishop Kang criticized the situation, stating, “The massive floods in Nepal were a foreseeable disaster caused by the climate crisis, and there is no telling when such a calamity might strike again.” He added, “I cannot help but express concern over our government’s policies—such as constructing transmission towers and persisting with nuclear power generation—in this era of climate crisis.”

He continued, “As the climate crisis is now being termed a ‘climate disaster’ or ‘climate collapse,’ we realize that the material growth envisioned by capitalism has reached a dead end.” He predicted, “With shrinking arable land and intensifying competition for resources, nations will likely emerge that disregard international law and fuel nationalistic selfishness by rejecting climate refugees.” Furthermore, Bishop Kang urged South Korea’s political leaders to “look a century ahead and pave the way for universal human values and the future of the planet.”