Cop26 and the Lord’s Prayer

Oct 28, 2021 | 0 comments

German youth protest on climate change: ‘Stop Stealing Our Future!’

‘Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses…’

What is it that prevents Christian clergy from passionately defending this, the Lord’s prayer, as the key to resolution not only of the world’s terrifying climate crisis but of the disagreements that block the solving of it?

Other than selfishness – a clinging to what we want but do not need – what stands in the way of the haves of this world meeting the needs of those who have nothing – not even the unflooded and fertile lands of their ancestors?

Other than cowardice,  what is it that prevents the world leaders of today from telling their well-off people that there can be no future without sacrifice?  Especially the sacrifice of our illusions about sustainable lifestyles?

Other than avarice,  what is it that drives the absurdly wealthy to oppose the higher taxation that justice and the future of all innocent children now compel them to accept?

Other than pride, what stands in the way of agreement and simplicity,  the reduction of what we want to what we need?

Give us this day our daily bread, clean air, pure water, safe shelter, truth-telling, education, medical care, peace, hope for our children…

These are enough, and all are possible – if what we want but do not need – and all other lies – are now given up for their sake.

~

The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow – 31 October – 12 November 2021.

The COP26 summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. There is doubt that Cop26 proved the commitment of the most carbon-productive nations to the urgency of the situation.

Prior to Cop26 the Columban missionary, Fr. Seán McDonagh spoke about the urgent need for all to act now if we are to save the Planet for future generations. He argued that the churches have a moral responsibility to care for the Earth and to work towards protecting our Planet from further disaster due to Climate Change.

Link to Sean’s pre-Cop26 presentation:

https://youtu.be/QnNLLYa3E-A

In January 2022 Fr Sean will be giving a Zoom presentation for ACI, to update us on the most urgent climate issues and to offer thoughts on the role of synodality in advancing this crucial cause.

Sean O’Conaill
27th October, 2021
Updated 20th November, 2021

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ACI’s Campaign for Lumen Gentium 37

The Promise of Synodality

What we have experienced of synodality so far gives ACI real hope that a longstanding structural injustice in the church may at last be acknowledged and overcome.

As all Irish bishops well know, the 'co-responsibility' they urge lay people to share - as numbers and energies of clergy decline - has been sabotaged time and again by canonical rules that deny representational authority and continuity to parish pastoral councils.  ACI's 2019 call for the immediate honouring of Lumen Gentium Article 37 becomes more urgent by the day and is supported by the following documents - also presented to the ICBC in October 2019.

The Common Priesthood of the People of God and the Renewal of the Church
It was Catholic parents and victims of clerical abuse who taught Catholic Bishops to prioritise the safeguarding of children in the church

Jesus as Model for the Common Priesthood of the People of God
It was for challenging religious hypocrisy and injustice that Jesus was accused and crucified. He is therefore a model for the common priesthood of the laity and for the challenging of injustice - in society and within the church.

A Suggested Strategy for the Recovery of the Irish and Western Catholic Church
Recovery of the church depends upon acknowledgment of the indispensable role of the common priesthood of the lay people of God and the explicit abandonment by bishops and clergy of paternalism and clericalism - the expectation of deference from lay people rather than honesty and integrity.

For the full story of ACI's campaign for the honouring of Article 37 of Lumen Gentium, click here.

Prayer

"Come Holy Spirit, Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen."

Saint Pope John XXIII, 1962 - In preparation for Vatican Council II, 1962-65.

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