The Earth is Sacred – by Joe McVeigh

One of the great advances in recent years in the field of theology and in the teaching of the Church is the re-discovery that the planet Earth we live on is Sacred and that we are connected. This advance in understanding has, in a way, been forced upon us because of the threat to the planet by the use fossil fuels, the poisoning of our rivers and seas and climate change. Already many species have become extinct as a result of human activity. In Fermanagh we think of the extinction of the Corncrake and the Curlew

Thanks to Pope Francis and many theologians and scientists we now have a much richer understanding of our connection to the Earth and of our responsibility for promoting bio-diversity in the environment. We are now aware of the damage being done by the use of plastic, by litter, by harmful sprays, by the use of fossil fuels and by intensive farming-to name a few.

Thanks to scientific research over many years by priests like Teilhard de Chardin and Thomas Berry and scientists like Carl Sagan and programme makers like David Attenborough people are better informed about the world we live in and about the responsibilities we share for protecting all living species. We are now at the beginning of the 21^st century more aware of the threat to all life on this planet by fossil fuels and global warming.

We humans cannot be separated from the rest of Creation nor should we be divided by colonialists. We in Ireland have had that disgraceful experience inflicted on us by the English. We had been separated over many years –by false theology and the distortion of Christianity. 

That distorted approach led to the colonial and capitalist mind-set which also created divisions in society – where some people are treated as enemies, where some are regarded as inferior, and where it is ‘every man for himself’.

We can no longer ignore the harm this has done and the threat to the Planet that this distorted thinking has caused. We need a new way of thinking.

As a result of the new awareness of our inter-connectedness some people are more aware of the threat to the planet Earth from over consumption, intensive farming, exploitation, mining, fossil fuels and climate change. Some are now more aware of our duty to others who are different and we are more aware of the need for compassion. If we refuse or fail to act on this awareness the future of our world is bleak. There is still much indifference and denial.

It is a challenge for each and every person. We are all in this together. It is a challenge for communities everywhere. It is a special challenge for Religious/faith communities who are called in a special way to protect Life and to care for all of Creation. This should be the main reason for ecumenical action and prayer.

Our eyes have been opened to a Hidden Truth that we humans are an intrinsic part of Creation. This new understanding changes everything; nothing can ever be the same again.