“To commit a crime against the natural world is a sin. For humans to cause species to become extinct, to degrade the integrity of the Earth by causing changes in its climate, stripping its natural forests or destroying its wetlands or contaminating Earth’s waters, air and life with poisonous substances. These are sins— [Earth] is God’s gift of love to us, and we must return that love by protecting it and all that is in it” (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Christian Century, 12/3/1997).
I celebrate his concern. I honor his insight. I affirm his wisdom in taking the lead among the earth’s religious leaders by lifting up God’s charge to humanity for all that He created. Is there an Orthodox Christian who is not eager to endorse this call to responsibility for all life in nature? It warms my heart to notice that other faith leaders are seconding his efforts to give creation back to God. Rabbis, cardinals, mufti, Protestant ministers and bishops, even the past Pope John Paul II and the present Pope Benedict XVI are among those who support Patriarch Bartholomew’s concerns. A theologian of the Patriarchate, Metropolitan John of Pergamum, said that we humans are “priests of creation.”
It’s one thing to rally to environmental causes. It’s another to put into practice the implications of that glorious objective. Former Vice President Al Gore made it clear in his failed campaign for the presidency that environmental concerns would be implemented, had he been voted into office. Even now in a book written on the environmental crisis, he expresses alarm at global warming that threatens our environment. The Orthodox Church never [at least officially] involves itself into the “realm of Caesar,” endorsing one or another party or politician. We leave to individual conscience and freedom of choice those for whom we vote; nevertheless, if we were to take the Patriarch seriously, is it not normal for us to support his concerns by our decisions?
His constituents in America are Greeks for the most part and tend to be more affluent than many of us others. How effective will his appeal be to take ownership of creation in the sacred name of the Holy Trinity, becoming more environmentally sensitive?
The Orthodox Church in America is not under Patriarch Bartholomew’s omophorion, or leadership. But if we feel that he speaks truth, should it not guide our decisions when we purchase a vehicle, plan a vacation or meal, purchase clothing, design our buildings or dispose of waste? When we fast, we not only reduce our food intake, imitate monastics by reducing our wants, but we save a small portion of the environment. Consider the amount of grain it takes to provide one meat portion for a meal.
We are to a great extent children and grandchildren of immigrants who have “made it” in America. Middle, upper-middle and even upper class citizens economically, many feel that fasting is a suggestion, not an obligation. We don’t see the irony in standing at the service station filling up our super-sized vehicles and complaining at the cost of fuel. We parrot the cliché “We owe it to ourselves” to continue using up the resources of the environment without guilt or apology.
And I wonder how far Patriarch Bartholomew would go in endorsing the implications of his famous and favorite cause. Will he endorse groups such as the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Save the Whales, the Seals and the endangered species of the planet?