WCC News: For Cypriot metropolitan, the recent history of Cyprus is “painful”

World Council of Churches (WCC) president for Eastern Orthodox Churches Metropolitan Vasilios of Ammochostos has three-quarters of his diocese on the island of Cyprus under Turkish occupation, but no Christians are still living in the occupied part. 26 June 2023, Geneva, Switzerland: WCC president H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Vasilios of Constantia and Ammochostos of the Church of Cyprus shares from the Middle East region as the World Council of Churches central committee gathers in Geneva on 21-27 June 2023, for its first full meeting following the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 30 June 2023 He was part of the WCC central committee which, at its 21-27 June meeting, expressed ongoing concern about two significant territorial crises in the eastern Mediterranean: those within Palestine and Israel and those within Cyprus. Metropolitan Vasilios, who studied theology in Athens and Fribourg in Switzerland, spoke to the WCC communications team during the central committee meeting about "the painful past" of his Mediterranean island, of which his part is an independent republic. "These politically driven conflicts have resulted in illegal occupations that have spanned decades," read a minute released by the WCC's governing body. Turkey invaded Cyprus on 20 July 1974 and occupied the island's northern part, which Turkish Cypriots now inhabit. Regarding Cyprus, the minute notes the destruction of churches, and the government of Türkiye "continues to build additional housing in the occupied parts of Cyprus to move in some of the displaced refugees impacted by the recent earthquake." "Our prayers are to find the solution. You know, sometimes, we had the possibility to go into [the Turkish side] to now empty and destroyed churches in our communities, but this is very emotional," said Vasilios. "When we organize such liturgies, in the church and the community, for the people who originated from this community, the first thing they want to see is first their church and secondly, their houses." UN agreement Following a United Nations agreement, there is a joint committee in Cyprus working to restore monuments of churches and Muslim mosques, cemeteries, and other monuments.  "So, we try to restore our churches to save the Christian character of the area because, with the Turkish policy, they send Imams from Türkiye." Regarding Cyprus, the minute notes the destruction of churches, and the government of Türkiye "continues to build additional housing in the occupied parts of Cyprus to move in some of the displaced refugees impacted by the recent earthquake." The central committee minute also reflects that "the visit of the Turkish president to Cyprus asking for international recognition shows a lack of respect for international law and weakens the efforts by the United Nations to negotiate a solution to the dispute." Due to what happened in 1973, 142,000 Greek Cypriots and 55,000 Turkish Cypriots were displaced, and another 20,000 Greek Cypriots enclaved in the area were gradually forced to leave. The UN has been involved in talks since 1999 to resolve an impasse between the two sides of the island. Metropolitan Vasilios has served several terms on the WCC's central committee and was also a member of the council's Faith and Order Commission. He has represented the Church of Cyprus in the theological dialogues between Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches and between Orthodox and Anglican Churches. He said, as the WCC celebrated 75 years after being formed following World War II, "we see this is not an easy way,” citing not only reasons relating to "the theological understanding of the unity" but due to the general state of societies in the world and rapid secularisation.” WCC addresses territorial crises in eastern Mediterranean (WCC news release, 27 June 2023) Photo gallery of the WCC Central committee meeting WCC Central committee meeting, June 2023 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

EarthBeat Weekly: Catholics (sort of) support renewable energy

Catholics (sort of) support renewable energy Your weekly newsletter about faith and climate change June 30, 2023 A tugboat in New York City pushes a fuel oil barge past the Statue of Liberty Oct 13, 2021. (CNS/Reuters/Brendan McDermid) A new study released by the Pew Research Center on June 28, amid heatwaves and hazardous air quality across the United States, shows that, overall, U.S. adults — and slightly moreso, U.S. Catholics — support the country participating in international efforts to reduce the effects of climate change (75% U.S. adults, 77% U.S. Catholics). Yet, Catholics significantly trailed the general public in their support for phasing out fossil fuels (31% U.S. adults, 22% U.S. Catholics), reported NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe. That's something Jose Aguto, executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant, found surprising given Pope Francis' strong and repeated condemnation of the fossil fuel industry. Still Aguto told Roewe it was "very encouraging" to see that many U.S. adults are aware of local environmental health hazards often associated with environmental justice issues, like too much trash (59%), polluted waters (54%), air pollution (51%) and lack of green space (38%). Read more about Americans' current opinions on climate change and renewable energy and see graphics of Catholic opinions in: Despite pope's pleas, survey finds US Catholics support fossil fuel expansion more than rest of country Of the 18% of U.S. adults polled in the Pew survey who said they had experienced wildfires in the last year, 85% said they think climate change contributed to that extreme weather experience.  In a report by Kimberley Heatherington for OSV News, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explains, "Wildfires require the alignment of a number of factors, including temperature, humidity, and the lack of moisture in fuels, such as trees, shrubs, grasses, and forest debris. All these factors have strong direct or indirect ties to climate variability and climate change." "Yes, the warming climate has increased the severity, the frequency and the extent of fire in North American forest ecosystems," said Glenn Juday, professor emeritus of forest ecology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Read more: Wildfires have always occurred, but experts say warming climate is increasing severity And in case you missed it, on June 15, the NCR Editorial Staff said, "Air quality is a justice issue."   Kevin Hargaden, theologian (right), and Ciara Murphy, environmental biologist, authors of "The Parish as Oasis: An Introduction to Practical Environmental Care" are seen in the polytunnel in the garden behind Gardiner Street Parish in Dublin. (Courtesy of Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice) What else is new on EarthBeat: Irish bishops ask parishes to conserve 30% of property for pollinators, biodiversity The initiative has the potential to make a difference to local biodiversity as well as create awareness of global conservation efforts, particularly the agreement of countries at the 2022 United Nations conference on biological diversity, COP15, to return 30% of land to nature. It also strives to increase awareness of church teaching on ecology. This story is part of "Growing a Green Church," an ongoing series focused on churches' efforts to steward their buildings and land effectively in the context of a changing climate. Find more stories in the series here.  Church of England divests from fossil fuels The Church of England announced June 22 that it will cease investments in Shell, BP, ExxonMobil and other top oil and gas companies after concluding all are out of step with worldwide efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, reported NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe. Communities and planet benefit when we save church buildings on the brink Choices made about whether to keep or sell, preserve or demolish large, old, often empty buildings are one way churches can combat climate change, reported Katie Bean for The Christian Century. Maintaining these structures, though challenging, shows a commitment to preserving God's creation. This story is also part of the "Growing a Green Church" series. How a Mexican spiritual leader preserves the sacred knowledge of a volcano known as El Popo "I respect the (Catholic) religion because we grew up in this place, but the mountain speaks to us in the words of our grandparents, not in the words of the conquerors," said Moisés Vega, a 64-year-old "granicero" who says he can speak the sacred language of volcanoes to ask for good weather and a good crop, María Teresa Hernández reported for The Associated Press. Ukraine military doctors draw on faith and nature to heal wounds of war In western Ukraine, a military hospital's rural campus offers some four-plus miles of walking trails, reported Gina Christian for OSV News. When soldiers struggle to rest at night, they're given the chance to temporarily encamp with a neighboring army: bees. After cyclone's destruction, Peruvians face dengue epidemic Cyclone Yaku's path through Peru's northern region in March was so destructive that its direct effects — such as the destruction of homes by floods and landslides — and indirect effects — especially an unprecedented outbreak of dengue fever — are still being felt today, reported Eduardo Campos Lima for OSV News. Golden Rule boat sets sail for 'a nuclear-free world' Called the world's first modern protest ship, the Golden Rule is now undertaking a 13-month, 11,000-mile journey on waterways around the eastern half of the U.S. to draw attention to the dangers of nuclear weapons, reported Michael Centore for NCR. "The bylaws of the Golden Rule were written after the Fukushima [Japan] nuclear disaster in 2011 and reflect a concern about nuclear energy," explained project manager Helen Jaccard.   What's happening in other climate news: Why Climate Change Is Key to 'Bidenomics' —Justin Worland for TIME Loyola Marymount University wins national zero waste competition —Ignatian Solidarity Network Its promised land drying, Mormon Church works to save the Great Salt Lake —Karin Brulliard for The Washington Post Solar sprawl is tearing up the Mojave Desert. Is there a better way? —Sammy Roth for the Los Angeles Times Wildfire Smoke and High Heat Have Something in Common. Guess What. — Raymond Zhong and Delger Erdenesanaa for The New York Times Oregon county sues big oil over 2021 heatwave that killed dozens of people —Dharna Noor for The Guardian   Final Beat: I'll be on vacation next week and NCR environment correspondent Brian Roewe will prepare this newsletter for you while I'm away.  If you like what you read here, be sure to support our reporting by becoming a NCR Forward member. Members get first access to special events, updates from our publisher and newsroom, and opportunities to give feedback through surveys and polls. Thanks for reading EarthBeat! Stephanie Clary Environment Editor National Catholic Reporter sclary@ncronline.org   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:WCC signs joint ecumenical statement on Sudan

The World Council of Churches was among ecumenical organizations based in Africa and international partners that signed a 24 June joint statement on Sudan. Children in class in the Catholic school in Gidel, a village in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. The area is controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, and frequently attacked by the military of Sudan. The church has sponsored schools and health care facilities throughout the war-torn region. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth 29 June 2023 The statement comes in response to having “listened to the current and evolving situation the Sudan and especially receiving updates on how our local partners continue facing threats and their institutions are daily destroyed,” reads the statement, which goes on to express deep concern that the conflict which started on 15 April seems to have no immediate prospect of ending. The undersigned organizations also expressed further concern “that there are reports of unwarranted destruction and looting of civilian and public infrastructures including schools and hospitals.” Recalling that every state and actor in armed conflict has obligations under international humanitarian law for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, the statement also calls on “civil society and the civilians to reject all forms of hatred and incitement to hatred oration in the different mass media.” The statement also appreciates and echos the appeal of Pope Francis to the warring parties to lay down arms and call for dialogue, and goes on to reaffirm “our commitment to pray for peace and support all efforts for sustainable peace and stabilization of the country.” The statement strongly condemns “all forms and acts of violence by all parties, because such acts are against the fullness of life of God’s people.” Further, the message urges Sudanese citizens to “remain vigilant against being instrumentalized for conflict and division, and to reject all forms of violence,” and to “stand up and collectively and peacefully demand sustainable solutions to end the current violence.” It also urges regional governments to “facilitate unrestricted movement of and support to the refugees,” among other actions. A Joint Ecumenical Statement on The Situation in the Sudan, 24th June 2023 WCC member churches in Sudan 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: Churches must talk about issues even if they are not comfortable with them, says Disciples' leader

Rev. Terri Hord Owens, the general minister and president of the Christian Church, the Disciples of Christ (USA and Canada), says the World Council of Churches (WCC) must offer an environment where people can talk on all issues, even if it is uncomfortable or "messy" to do so. 26 June 2023, Geneva, Switzerland: Terri Owens of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States shares from the North America region as the World Council of Churches central committee gathers in Geneva on 21-27 June 2023, for its first full meeting following the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 27 June 2023 Owens was among many who shared and prayed together during confessional meetings that took place on 23 June as an integrated part of the WCC central committee meeting. She is the first person of colour and the second woman to lead the Disciples denomination since her election in 2017. Hord Owens spoke about Christianity in North America during a coffee break interview in the 21-27 June central committee meeting of the WCC, raising issues such as justice and race. She noted that in the United States, the issue of "Christian nationalism" can be worrying. "One of the biggest problems I see in Christianity writ large is that we're more concerned about the institutions that we have created to do the work and our roles within them sometimes than we are about the work itself and the witness, and to Jesus Christ," she said. "These institutions must shift. They must change to continue to be relevant. Our young people are telling us, 'I'm not joining this denomination or that church in particular; I want to be part of the work of God, part of the work of the Body of Christ.’ And we're trying to bolster up institutional structures and privilege their power. And that doesn't align." Hord Owens had 20 years of life in corporate America leading diverse teams in data management in health care and other industries before she entered the seminary for ordination. She believes churches should provide an environment where people can discuss many things. Variety of perspectives As a church leader, she learned that various perspectives arise on issues based on either confessional tradition or geographic or even ethnic culture as to how people see them. "So, climate change and human sexuality and the situation in Israel, and Palestine are all things that my churches have wrestled with and spoken about," she said. "It's about making sure that you've heard, but it's also about the work that we do that bears witness to the love of God if what we're doing is just sitting around tables and agreeing on what we're going to do at our next meeting." Hord Owens said that the United States and Canada have distinct perspectives on racism. "Canada is much more in touch with its role as a settler society and its relationship to Indigenous peoples. In the United States, the issue of black and white and brown in terms of racism because of the history of slavery in the United States, in particular, has continued to undergird everything that happens in the US context. Moving past race "We almost can't move to do anything else until we move past that issue of racism in terms of black and white." She said in Canada, society seems more focused on identifying the injustice done to Indigenous people. "They have a different lens on race. It's almost impolite to speak of race in Canada. And I've had these conversations with friends in Canadian churches." "The United States has taken some steps backwards," said Hord Owens. "They’re banning books, in many of our states, just because they addressed the issue of race or the history of slavery…. "We don't want them to feel bad that white people are racist. That is shunning history. It's erasing history. And from that perspective, we're making huge strides backwards on racism in the US. " "So we must walk together, even when we disagree. I think this is the theological focus of my church—we have to stay at the table, even when we disagree because the witness that we make to the gospel of Christ is enhanced when people can look at us and say, 'Oh, my goodness, I know they don't agree on x, y, z. But they seem committed to this Jesus; they seem committed to this faith, and they're willing to work through the messy and difficult things.” Photo gallery of the WCC Central committee meeting WCC Central committee meeting, June 2023 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

Presbyterians for Earth Care - TONIGHT Food Waste & Climate Change Webinar

FREE WEBINAR TONIGHT! Labels, Food Waste & Climate Change Presenter: Minnie Ringland, ReFED Climate Fellow Date: Thursday, June 29th Time: 7:30 pm EDT (6:30 CDT, 5:30 MDT, 4:30 PDT) What are the relationships between label date confusion, wasting good food, and methane emissions from landfills?  In the U.S., a staggering estimated 38% of all food goes unsold or uneaten – the equivalent of 149 billion meals annually. It’s valued at $444 billion, roughly 2% of U.S. GDP, and it has the same climate footprint as the entire U.S. aviation industry (passenger, commercial, and military). Join PEC for a webinar with ReFED, a national nonprofit that leverages a holistic view of the food system to collaborate with key audiences and generate large-scale, meaningful impact. Confusion over food labels can lead to food waste, increased organic waste in landfills, rotting food in landfills, and methane emissions. In addition to environmental concerns, perfectly good food could be going to feed hungry unsheltered people through our food pantries if label confusion could be addressed. Join us to learn what we can do about food waste in our communities, homes, and places or worship.  Please plan to join us for this FREE Webinar!

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“The Climate Crisis & Empowering Hope” is our theme for our 2023 national conference. The conference will deal with the greatest moral issue of the day and practical ways that our faith can guide us to act for creation care. We will gather in person in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and at three satellite locations (California, Arkansas and Minnesota) and we will also stream all presentations online. We will learn from top church leaders, gifted biblical and theological teachers, activists, pastors, and one another. This important conference will make a difference for God’s creation and the Church. Please plan to join us and ask your Presbytery to include this information in your Presbytery newsletter.

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