Archbishop Eamon Martin

“We cannot simply leave it to governments to solve these immense problems [of climate change]. Humility calls on each one of us to share both the burden and the search for solutions. In our personal lives at home, and in our schools, parishes and communities, the challenge rests with each and all of us. Pope Francis speaks of ‘ecological conversion’”

This was a key passage of Archbishop Eamon Martin’s homily for the Season of Creation – which runs from 1 September until 4 October, the Feast of the Saint Francis of Assisi, patron of ecologists.

“One only has to look at the way the world’s resources are sometimes squandered or exploited out of greed and for narrow economic interests.  We hear of threats to the great forests of the world and the displacement of indigenous peoples.  This summer we have seen the devastation of forest fires, lost crops, homes and livelihoods destroyed, scorched earth, massive floods, and temperatures never before recorded.  On top of this, war continues to disrupt the food chain, pollutes the atmosphere still further, and exacerbates the world’s huge dependence on fossil fuels like oil and gas.”

Need for personal sacrifice

“Pope Francis speaks of “ecological conversion” and this begins by asking ourselves: how might I change my lifestyle?  How can I use more respectfully the good things of this earth that God has given us?  Can I make some personal sacrifices in answer to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor that is knocking out of tune the harmony of the great cosmic choir?  Can I accept that less is sometimes more?”

To read Archbishop Eamon’s complete homily on ‘ecological conversion’ click here.