Comments on: Going to Church in the Senate: The Ministry of Responding to Climate Change http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/going-to-church-in-the-senate-the-ministry-of-responding-to-climate-change/ For a thriving New England Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:46:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6.1 By: James Ehlers http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/going-to-church-in-the-senate-the-ministry-of-responding-to-climate-change/#comment-2844 James Ehlers Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:21:05 +0000 http://www.clf.org/?p=14536#comment-2844 Friends,
It all underscores a selfishness, whether conscious or unconscious, on the part of the most powerful in any given relationship to protect their own interests. The poor as much a part of creation as are the unborn–we do an abhorrent job at protecting the interests of either. Pollution of our environment, be it through the direct or indirect suffering of another, is sadly a symptom of our corrupt, flawed humanity. It will be difficult to justify either pollution of the environment or the soul through the Gospel messages, to which neither party should be looked to for counsel.

May God give us all peace.

Pax et bonum.

James Ehlers
Colchester, VT

Thank you CLF, for your work, on behalf of our natural world.

]]> By: Tricia Jedele http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/going-to-church-in-the-senate-the-ministry-of-responding-to-climate-change/#comment-2843 Tricia Jedele Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:43:39 +0000 http://www.clf.org/?p=14536#comment-2843 Rob – I really enjoyed reading your comment. Thank you for submitting it. I felt the same hope and inspiration from the Pope’s homily that you reference on your link to the Greener GOP. Here’s to the leaders of both parties, that they commit to being “protectors of creation” together.”

All the best to you.

]]> By: Kathryn_CaringCatholic&Constituent http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/going-to-church-in-the-senate-the-ministry-of-responding-to-climate-change/#comment-2842 Kathryn_CaringCatholic&Constituent Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:29:52 +0000 http://www.clf.org/?p=14536#comment-2842 Very insightful. An interesting juxtaposition of science and church, clergy and congress. Interesting how closely these intwine when we focus on issues that most deeply affect man/womankind and the world we habitate and share. CLF, please continue to champion environmental protection for us all. And Ms. Jedele, kudos to you for your passionate and dedicated efforts to safeguard our environment.

]]> By: Shannon http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/going-to-church-in-the-senate-the-ministry-of-responding-to-climate-change/#comment-2840 Shannon Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:31:17 +0000 http://www.clf.org/?p=14536#comment-2840 Good piece, Trish. There’s a PC philosophy professor who teaches a GREAT environmental philosophy class connecting Christianity and environmentalism. It expands on what you’ve pointed out here – one of the best classes I took at PC!

]]> By: Felicia Petrone http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/going-to-church-in-the-senate-the-ministry-of-responding-to-climate-change/#comment-2839 Felicia Petrone Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:54:54 +0000 http://www.clf.org/?p=14536#comment-2839 Some good points were made. I too hope the Pope will speak out for our environment. We need more people to become aware of what we’re doing to ourselves and to the creatures we share this earth with. We need to be more thoughtful for the world which was created for us.

]]> By: Rob Sisson http://www.clf.org/blog/clean-energy-climate-change/going-to-church-in-the-senate-the-ministry-of-responding-to-climate-change/#comment-2838 Rob Sisson Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:51:08 +0000 http://www.clf.org/?p=14536#comment-2838 To clarify, there is no conflict in Church teachings on social justice and protecting human life. In fact, the teachings are part of a larger Whole Life calling. Climate change would fall under ‘social justice’ per the author. But….we have millions of people in third world countries who are dying due to climate change induced drought, crop failures, and water shortages. We have 600,000 babies born each year in the US with unsafe levels of mercury already in their bodies (from burning fossil fuels). Being Pro-Life is much greater than simply opposing abortion.

The author is correct that politicians and fundraisers have narrowly defined “pro-life” so that it does cause conflict in the minds of voters. I’m a Catholic and very conservative…but when all “life” matters are tallied up, I wonder if the Democrat Party isn’t more “pro-life” than my GOP.

In a beautiful new video, Pastor Joel Hunter and other evangelicals discuss this. One of the great lines, near the very end is: “I’m not an environmentalist because I love nature. I’m an environmentalist because I love Jesus Christ.”

Pope Francis will help change the perception of what it means to be Catholic (or Christian) and Pro-Life.

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