Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: “The Ecumenical Patriarchate has a pioneering role in bringing attention to the ecological crisis”
On 23 September 2024, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivered an powerful and impressive speech at the opening of the Ecological Conference titled “The Vision of an Ecological Metropolis for the 21st Century: Church, State, Philosophy, and Theology,” held at the Conference Centre of the Regional Unity of Kilkis.
In his address, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew highlighted the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s pioneering role in bringing attention to the spiritual dimensions of the ecological crisis, making it the first Christian institution to do so. He emphasised the importance of the Church’s involvement in addressing environmental issues and underscored the significant contributions made by the Patriarchate to foster dialogue between Churches, religions, and global leaders for the protection of the natural world. These efforts, he noted, have inspired policymakers, parliaments, and international organisations alike.
A central theme in the Patriarch’s speech was the critical role of educating the younger generation on ecological responsibility. He stressed the importance of instilling a deep ecological ethos in the youth, noting that this cultivation must start within the Church itself. He called upon the ecclesiastical community to treat the protection of nature not merely as a social responsibility but as a profound spiritual obligation. Patriarch Bartholomew urged local churches to actively engage in environmental awareness initiatives, with parishes serving as hubs for ecological education and action.
In his concluding remarks, the Ecumenical Patriarch stressed the urgency of addressing the global ecological crisis, which he described as not just an issue of “overheating” but one of a “boiling” planet. He called for immediate, coordinated action from all sectors of society to prevent further environmental destruction, underscoring that the crisis demands collective efforts on a global scale.
Soure: orthodoxtimes.com
