EarthBeat Weekly: 'In Christ's resurrection, the earth itself arose.'

'In Christ's resurrection, the earth itself arose.' Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change March 29, 2024   Fr. Christopher Dabu demonstrates to Highly Hangoma the importance of planting trees to restore degraded land in Chirundu, a town in the southern region of Zambia, on March 6. (Doreen Ajiambo)  While there's no shortage of climate news that embodies narratives of unjust suffering and death — like Holy Week — several stories this week at EarthBeat align more with the ideas of resurrection and renewal that we find in the Easter season that begins this weekend. Theologian and Sister of St. Joseph Elizabeth Johnson wrote in her 2014 book Ask the Beasts: Darwin and the God of Love: "It is as if Earth were undergoing its agony in the garden, about to be crucified, and we, the disciples of Jesus, are curled up fast asleep."  On a global and systemic scale, that often feels true. However, when we look closely at local communities in specific places, examples of people rising to the occasion to address the impacts of climate change in meaningful and effective ways abound. Freelance journalist Shadrack Omuka writes from Kenya about the faith-based Mother Earth Network founded by Fr. Herman Borg that is working to restore the Maragoli Forest. Read more: Faith-based Mother Earth Network aims to restore Maragoli Forest, and hope, in Kenya And Doreen Ajiambo, Africa and Middle East correspondent for Global Sisters Report, reports from Zambia — where she was on a climate change reporting fellowship with Catholic Relief Services — about how CRS Zambia is supporting farmers to restore soil nutrients to yield more crops as farms have become less fertile, caused in part by increased droughts and flooding exacerbated by climate change. Read more: CRS Zambia supports farmers restoring degraded land In both cases, efforts aimed at the restoration of ecosystems seek to contribute to the livelihood and flourishing of local communities, providing hope for the future of the land and those who call it home. "In Christ's resurrection, the earth itself arose," writes Johnson in her book, quoting Ambrose of Milan. May this Easter season be filled with such stories of rebirth.   What else is new on EarthBeat:   Report: US Catholics say environmental justice important, but most unaware of Laudato Si' by Gina Christian, OSV News   The massive copper mine that could test the limits of religious freedom by Taylar Dawn Stagner, Grist "Oak Flat is like Mount Sinai to us — our most sacred site where we connect with our Creator, our faith, our families and our land," said Wendsler Noise of Apache Stronghold, a nonprofit fighting to protect the area. "We vow to appeal to the Supreme Court."    What's happening in other climate news: Florida is about to erase climate change from most of its laws —Kate Yoder for Grist Athletes at This Summer's Paris Olympics Won't Have Air Conditioning —Laura Ratliff for Runner's World How Two Top Car Salesmen Pitch EVs, One in Trump Country and One on Biden's Turf —Dan Gearino for Inside Climate News Study: No top oil companies aligned with Paris climate goals —Zack Budryk for The Hill The surprising reasons why Big Oil may not want a second Trump term —Maxine Joselow for The Washington Post US awards record $6 billion to back industrial emissions reduction projects —Andrea Shalal and David Shepardson for Reuters   Final Beat: Lent is coming to an end, but your vegetarian habits don't have to! "As a vegan Catholic, I want to eat plant-based meals during Lent that serve as a way to abstain and fast prayerfully," said recipe developer Elizabeth Varga in a column for EarthBeat last year. "But vegan recipes can also be incredibly indulgent and celebratory — when Lent is over, and the church is feasting, I continue to abstain from meat and other animal-based products, but focus on more delicious and abundant recipes."  Revisit Varga's five indulgent plant-based recipes to feast on. And earlier this month on EarthBeat, Kimberley Heatherington reported that if U.S. Catholics adopted the practice of abstaining from eating meat on every Friday of the year, it would have significant environmental impacts. According to research by John Hopkins' Center for a Livable Future, it would prevent more than 32 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions and save more than 20.5 trillion liters of water annually. Read more. Thanks for reading EarthBeat! Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org Instagram: @stephanieclaryncr     Featured Advertisers   Looking to Hire? Offering Retreats? Selling Books? Place an Ad in NCR's Online Classified Section for Only $75 per Month!   Advertisement

WCC NEWS: Interview: WCC commissioner Kevin Maina shares perspectives from UN Environment Assembly

Kevin Maina, a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development and a representative of the Anglican communion, shares his experience as a participant of the United Nations Environment Assembly's sixth session (UNEA-6) in Kenya. 7 March 2024, Geneva, Switzerland: Kevin Maina pictured in connection with an inaugural Joint Meeting of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), the Commission on Health and Healing (CHH), and the Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development (CCJSD) of the World Council of Churches. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 27 March 2024 Reflecting on the UNEA-6 opening day, could you share the significance of the opening plenary and Faith for Earth session, and how they set the stage for the assembly’s focus on environmental stewardship? Maina: The opening plenary was a powerful start to UNEA-6, truly setting a strong foundation for the week's discussions. It brought to light the critical state of our environment, emphasizing the urgency of the triple planetary crisis. The calls for innovative solutions and bold leadership were clear and inspiring, marking a collective determination to tackle these interconnected challenges head-on. The afternoon’s Faith for Earth session enriched this narrative by highlighting the unique position of faith-based communities. Their moral and spiritual commitments to the planet offer a deeply motivating perspective, underscoring the essential role of faith in driving environmental action. Both sessions collectively underscored a global readiness to embrace sustainable practices and foster international cooperation for a healthier planet. Across the discussions on civil society’s involvement, the importance of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the multi-faith roundtable, how were the themes of inclusivity, sustainability, and collective action woven into the solutions for environmental challenges? Maina: The emphasis on civil society and the critical examination of NDCs revealed a shared understanding of inclusivity and sustainability as pillars for meaningful environmental progress. Civil society's role was acknowledged as essential in voicing community concerns and pushing for transformative change, particularly through the lens of a "one health" approach that connects human, animal, and environmental wellbeing. The conversation around NDCs highlighted the global need for clear, actionable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also adapt to them, especially in vulnerable regions. This requires a concerted effort to ensure that sustainability is woven into the fabric of our actions and policies. The multi-faith roundtable reinforced this by showcasing the collective power and responsibility of faith leaders to advocate for climate justice and sustainability. It was a testament to the strength found in unity and the diverse ways through which different communities can contribute to global environmental goals. As UNEA-6 concluded, what outcomes and resolutions stood out to you, especially regarding the role of faith-based organizations like the WCC in addressing the triple planetary crisis? Maina: The final day of UNEA-6 marked a significant milestone with several resolutions that signify a collective leap towards sustainability. I believe faith-based organizations have a unique reach and moral authority that can inspire and mobilize communities worldwide, a fact that was acknowledged through our collaborative efforts during the assembly. The resolutions that emerged, such as those promoting sustainable lifestyles and combating environmental degradation, reflect a comprehensive approach to the crisis at hand. They underscore the necessity of inclusive dialogue and the invaluable role of faith communities in fostering a deeper connection to the planet. The WCC’s involvement, along with other faith-based partners, in pushing for these sustainable resolutions exemplifies our dedication to ecological stewardship and social justice. It’s a testament to the power of faith in catalysing global change, demonstrating that when we unite in our efforts, regardless of creed or culture, we can forge a path to a more resilient and equitable world. Care for creation and climate justice #wcc #voices Kevin Maina, Anglican communion, Kenya at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: WCC expresses deep concern for human rights in Haiti

With an intervention delivered by Max Weber, a student at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, the World Council of Churches expressed deep concern for human rights in Haiti.  Max Weber, student of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, United Nations, Geneva, March 2024, Photo: WCC 28 March 2024 The intervention—cosigned by the Dominicans, Dominican Leadership Conference, and Congregation of St Joseph and Passionists International—was read before the UN Human Rights Council. “Hospitals are overwhelmed by the number of victims of gunshot wounds, and over 360,000 have become internally displaced,” reads the intervention. “Half of these are children.” The intervention notes that access to guns is reportedly far greater than access to food, clean water, and medicine. “Livelihoods are disrupted, children cannot go to school, some pastors have been kidnapped during church services, and churches are now closed,” the text reads. “The gangs have restricted everyone’s movements and control the ports and the roads.” Many public offices and houses have been destroyed, the intervention further notes. “We urge the Human Rights Council to call for an international presence in Haiti to bring safety to the people in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian standards,” reads the text. “We call upon the international community to take all possible measures to support the formation and implementation of a Haitian transitional council.” The intervention concludes: “All sectors of society, including churches, must be heard and their messages incorporated into an inclusive Haitian-led peace process which is critically needed to bring to an end the cycle of violence and to build a democratic society based on the respect for human rights.”   Watch here the session during which Max Weber, is delivering the WCC statement at the United Nations, Geneva Learn more about the WCC work on "Human dignity and rights" See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Living into Right Relations: March 2024

Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice News from The United Church of Canada Have you heard of the First Nations Version (FNV)?   Early on the first day of the week, Strong Tears (Mary) from Tower of Creator’s High Lodge (Magdala) came to the burial cave early in the morning while it was still dark.  When she saw the stone had been removed from the burial cave, she ran to find Stands on the Rock (Peter) and He Shows Goodwill (John), the much-loved follower of Creator Sets Free (Jesus).               John 20:1-2, FNV   In 2021, a group of Indigenous clergy, scholars, church leaders and members, published a new translation of the New Testament, called the FNV or First Nations Version. The group consists of individuals from a range of denominations and Indigenous nations in both Canada and the United States. As the quotation above from the Gospel of John reveals, the FNV is not a literal translation of the New Testament but a “thought-for thought translation, sometimes referred to as dynamic equivalence” [1] as the Indigenous group explains in an introduction to the text. They make an effort to write with a story-telling cadence, familiar to Indigenous readers. Throughout the translation, insertions may be found that help elucidate the text (such as by the bracketed inclusion of more familiar Biblical names) but also to provide contextualized information for Indigenous readers, such as may be found in other Bible translations that employ headings, footnotes, and marginal notes to aid the reader. There’s even a very brief summary of the Old Testament written in similar style to the main translation which is included as a prologue. Importantly, the authors emphasize that the FNV is not only commended to the use of Indigenous Christians but to all members of the Christian community who they hope will find the FNV insightful and enlightening in their own study of holy scripture.  [1] First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament, Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL 2023, p.ix [Photo credit: James Ransom] Decolonizing the Biblical Narrative – An Australian Perspective     Another approach to interpreting scripture for Indigenous peoples comes from Australia. Anne Pattel-Gray a First Nations scholar and “Uncle” Norm Habel, a settler Old Testament scholar have collaborated on a three volume look at Genesis and Exodus. Their work unpacks and reveals how Biblical translation itself has been subjected to colonizing forces over the two millennia since the original texts were written. They ask deep and difficult questions about how we typically have understood God the Creator as revealed in these first books of the Old Testament. They seek, particularly for Indigenous readers, to remove those colonized perspectives that obscure the original texts. Above all they encourage all readers to reflect on and be mindful of how processes of translation and interpretation themselves must be critiqued and inherent biases in these processes challenged and corrected. [Photo credit: James Ransom] Learning about Indigenous Perspectives on Landscaping     On Saturday August 5, 2023, a beautiful sunny day, 35 people attended ceremony led by Elder Larry McDermott on the lawn of Almonte United Church, Ontario. The group moved into the church to learn about local Indigenous people’s relationship with the land.  Algonquin landscaper Chris Craig shared his experience of caring for the land and the significance of various plants. Elder Larry complemented this presentation with teachings about the spiritual connection Indigenous people have with the land.    After lunch 10 members the group went to the park to plant under the direction of Sarah Craig, Chris’s daughter, who also is an Indigenous landscaper. During this time, Elder Larry distributed tobacco for people to place on the garden in a prayerful way to express thanksgiving for the plants provided by Creator. When the plants bloom in the Spring they will reflect the colours of the medicine wheel: yellow in the east quadrant, red in the south, black in the west and white in the north. They placed a bench nearby so people can sit quietly contemplating the site and beyond to the river. Given the high level of interest in Algonquin teachings, Almonte United Church hopes to follow-up with more learning opportunities for members in the future. This project was supported in part by the Justice and Reconciliation Fund. By Rev. Mary Royal Duczek, Almonte United Church   [Photo credits: The Rev. Mary Duczek] Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube Donate to The United Church of Canada and help fund life changing work around the world!

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