19 Faith and a Sustainable Pacific
381
the dialogue between the scientific and faith communities” from which, it is hoped,
will emerge “a greater commitment to taking responsible actions for the protection
of our environment for our common good” (Bassett 2000).
There are two issues in that. The first is a positive partnership between faith and
science, especially in the area of ecological issues and challenges. In Moltmann’s
words, “The sciences have shown us how to understand creation as nature. Now
theology must show science how nature is to be understood as creation” (Moltmann
1985, p. 38). Through ecologists and others, science has alerted us to what we are
doing to the environment, and what the consequences will be if we keep living in an
unsustainable way. Faith and spirituality for its part touches deeper levels of purpose
and belonging. We clearly need the contribution of both.
The second issue rising out of the UN book is the way in which the major world
faiths converge in their attitude to environmental care. Authorised representatives
from the Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, Christian and other faiths each wrote
a short first-hand account of their Faith’s teaching on environmental care, and the
result is striking; in real terms they are in remarkable agreement on this issue, as they
all enjoin their followers to a response of care.
The clear outcome of this convergence of belief is that, as the Edinburgh 2010
Conference of the World Council of Churches affirmed, the care of the planet may
be a rich area not only for fruitful interfaith dialogue but also for common action.
The Director of the UNEP Adrian Amin wrote that “We … view the convergence of
spiritual values and their respect for the environment as an inspiration for environmental actions today so that our succeeding generations may all be beneficiaries of
a healthy planet and a development that is sustainable” (Bassett 2000, p. 4).
It is not difficult to find examples of the kind of collaboration I am advocating; I
myself have been involved in several interfaith fora in recent years, and it has always
been a good experience. Then too, a group such as the Australian Religious Response
to Climate Change (ARRCC) operates on an interfaith basis, actively seeking to work
across religious diversity for the sake of the Earth.
More particularly, in terms of the Pacific in the present time, a Media Release
from the Pacific Conference of Churches in September 2019 reported on an interfaith service for the Season of Creation under the heading “Creation Breaks Barriers”.
“Verses from Islamic and Hindu scripture echoed through Suva’s Sacred Heart Cathedral last night as people of all faiths gathered to give thanks and pray for creation”. It
is surely a sign of hope when about 400 people, members of the Christian, Islamic and
Hindu faiths should gather at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva to pray for creation.
The congregation heard a call to see God in all creation and take appropriate action in
the light of the continuing threat of climate change and irresponsibility towards the
environment. The Statement indicates that representatives of the Anglican, Catholic,
Methodist and Seventh-day Adventist churches attended the event alongside Islamic
and Hindu clerics.
A holistic approach to mission beyond our own congregation or denomination, or
even beyond the Christian Faith, also needs to engage politics. But when it comes
to Earthcare, adversarial political approaches are not the answer. There will always
be differences of viewpoint, but it is imperative that they be held within a cohesive
381
the dialogue between the scientific and faith communities” from which, it is hoped,
will emerge “a greater commitment to taking responsible actions for the protection
of our environment for our common good” (Bassett 2000).
There are two issues in that. The first is a positive partnership between faith and
science, especially in the area of ecological issues and challenges. In Moltmann’s
words, “The sciences have shown us how to understand creation as nature. Now
theology must show science how nature is to be understood as creation” (Moltmann
1985, p. 38). Through ecologists and others, science has alerted us to what we are
doing to the environment, and what the consequences will be if we keep living in an
unsustainable way. Faith and spirituality for its part touches deeper levels of purpose
and belonging. We clearly need the contribution of both.
The second issue rising out of the UN book is the way in which the major world
faiths converge in their attitude to environmental care. Authorised representatives
from the Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, Christian and other faiths each wrote
a short first-hand account of their Faith’s teaching on environmental care, and the
result is striking; in real terms they are in remarkable agreement on this issue, as they
all enjoin their followers to a response of care.
The clear outcome of this convergence of belief is that, as the Edinburgh 2010
Conference of the World Council of Churches affirmed, the care of the planet may
be a rich area not only for fruitful interfaith dialogue but also for common action.
The Director of the UNEP Adrian Amin wrote that “We … view the convergence of
spiritual values and their respect for the environment as an inspiration for environmental actions today so that our succeeding generations may all be beneficiaries of
a healthy planet and a development that is sustainable” (Bassett 2000, p. 4).
It is not difficult to find examples of the kind of collaboration I am advocating; I
myself have been involved in several interfaith fora in recent years, and it has always
been a good experience. Then too, a group such as the Australian Religious Response
to Climate Change (ARRCC) operates on an interfaith basis, actively seeking to work
across religious diversity for the sake of the Earth.
More particularly, in terms of the Pacific in the present time, a Media Release
from the Pacific Conference of Churches in September 2019 reported on an interfaith service for the Season of Creation under the heading “Creation Breaks Barriers”.
“Verses from Islamic and Hindu scripture echoed through Suva’s Sacred Heart Cathedral last night as people of all faiths gathered to give thanks and pray for creation”. It
is surely a sign of hope when about 400 people, members of the Christian, Islamic and
Hindu faiths should gather at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva to pray for creation.
The congregation heard a call to see God in all creation and take appropriate action in
the light of the continuing threat of climate change and irresponsibility towards the
environment. The Statement indicates that representatives of the Anglican, Catholic,
Methodist and Seventh-day Adventist churches attended the event alongside Islamic
and Hindu clerics.
A holistic approach to mission beyond our own congregation or denomination, or
even beyond the Christian Faith, also needs to engage politics. But when it comes
to Earthcare, adversarial political approaches are not the answer. There will always
be differences of viewpoint, but it is imperative that they be held within a cohesive