David Alton (May 19) perhaps unwittingly uncovers an embarrassment
in contemporary Catholicism.
To sidestep the issues raised by green Christianity is a soft
wand to condone our own unsustainable abuse of the planet.
Catholics have not been notably keen to take on board what the
Pope, some bishops and ecological theologians have been saying - the
integrity of creation was to the first Christians the undisputable
premise of our faith. "Creation is the all-supporting basis of the
Jewish-Christian kerygma", writes the Dominican theologian Edward
Schillebeek.
Nor may we pretend that only developing peoples need to exercise
voluntary restraint in procreation. We on this small island are too
many too. And we consume much to much. Indeed we exploit developing
peoples by importing their resources so we can indulge in our
sustainable numbers.
Mass tourism also wastes resources we should be sharing with
starving people.
Right Christian livelihood listens to good theology. The
reluctance of some Catholic leaders and journals to take on board
what balanced green theology has been saying, is itself an
embarrassing theological question.
Dr Edward P Echlin
The Universe
(2/6/91)
