Bishops' Position Paper on Climate Change

To see the full text of the Bishops' Position Paper click on "Printable Version" at the top right of this page.

AN INTRODUCTION BY BISHOP CHRISTOPHER TOOHEY

Down through the ages human beings have had to face a multitude of challenges.  Up to the present day our race has met those challenges, more or less well, and so has flourished and multiplied on the face of the earth.

In our time, there can be little doubt that the impact of human industrial endeavour and enterprise has affected the ecosystems of the world, bringing about changes to our environment which are considered by many to be among the most critical issues facing humanity at this time.

The Bishops Committee for Justice Development, Ecology and Peace, through its agency Catholic Earthcare Australia, offers this Position Paper as an invitation to open dialogue on the phenomenon of climate change.  This Position Paper, was written to be presented at a conference in Canberra hosted by the BCJDEP, where the many issues surrounding climate change were explored.  The conference was seen as a beginning; not the final word.

We want to bring a theological and spiritual perspective to the best of what science and the broader community have to offer.  We hope and pray, that together we can play our part in stimulating and sustaining the ‘ecological conversion’ called for by the late Pope John Paul II.

Bishop Christopher Toohey    

Chair of Catholic Earthcare Australia

Member Bishops Committee for Justice Development Ecology & Peace

Member Bishops Committee for Family & Life

ENDORSED BY THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE BCJDEP

Archbishop John Bathersby

Deputy President Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

Chair Bishops Committee for Justice Development Ecology & Peace

Deputy Chair Catholic Earthcare Australia

Archbishop Adrian Doyle
Chair Caritas Australia

Chair Bishops Committee for Social Welfare

Member Catholic Earthcare Australia

Bishop Christopher Saunders
Chair Australian Social Justice Council

Member Bishops Committee for Evangelisation & Missions

Bishop Eugene Hurley
Chair Bishops Committee for Family & Life
Deputy Chair of Caritas Australia
 
Bishop Patrick Power
Deputy Chair Australian Social Justice Council
Member Bishops Committee for Media
 
God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work
in the splendour of creation, in the beauty of human life.
Touched by your hand our world is holy.
Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us,
to share your blessings with our brothers and sisters,
and to experience the joy of life in your presence.
 
(Opening prayer for Mass of 17th Sunday in ordinary time)