Climate change and care for creation remained in sharp focus at the World Council of Churches (WCC) 11th Assembly held early September in Karlsruhe. Observing the Season of Creation, a workshop organised by CEC and WCC Climate Change Group addressed advocacy and political aspects of churches’ engagement with climate change.
The workshop discussed churches’ dialogue with politics on climate change in the European context and experience gained from churches’ advocacy in the context of COP at global level. The event highlighted a successful cooperation between WCC and CEC in addressing climate change.
Additional to that, the Assembly offered an opportunity for a public discussion at the occasion of the Season of Creation, observed globally from 1 September to 4 October, under the 2022 theme “listen to the voice of creation”.
“Listening and faith belong deeply to each other,” underlined in contributing to the event CEC Study Secretary Rev. Dr Peter Pavlovic.
“Without hearing, listening and efforts to understand any message coming to us, is not possible to speak about proper faith. Ap. Paul reminds us in the letter to Romans, Chapter 10 that faith comes from hearing. With hearing and listening comes closely related our capacity to respond. In responding to ecological challenges, we need to listen to the word of God as is presented in the bible, as well listen the voice of creation.”
“Nowadays it is becoming increasingly clear that care for creation is indeed an element of our faith. We address many questions related to climate change, loss of biodiversity, their relation to justice and solidarity as they are rooted at the core of our faith,” he added.
Another workshop facilitated by the European Christian Environment Network focused on “Ecodiaconia across borders: Eco congregations in Hungary and Scotland.”
The workshop explored what it means to work together across boundaries and denominations to promote care for creation, in particular focusing on the experiences of eco-congregations in Hungary and Scotland.
Other events related to climate change at the WCC Assembly highlighted how churches must care for creation, building ecumenical formation, embracing plurality and transforming communities.