Church in the World

Pope backs moves to save rainforest

Brazil

POPE BENEDICT has given unconditional support to recent efforts by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, to save the Amazon rainforest, writes Robert Mickens.

The Pope sent a high-ranking personal envoy to Brazil, where the Orthodox Church held an international symposium on the environment from 13 to 20 July. More than 200 scientists, ecologists and leaders of the three monotheistic religions took part in the symposium, held on 10 boats that wound their way through Amazonian rivers.

"I sincerely hope, Your Holiness, that the sixth symposium, dedicated to the Rio of the Amazons, will again attract the attention of peoples and governments concerning the problems, the needs, and the urgency of a region whose ecological balance is so tried and so threatened," the Pope said in a message he sent with papal envoy, Cardinal Roger Etchegeray.

The primary object of the "floating" conference was to spark international cooperation to preserve the Amazon, which environmental experts say is central to maintaining climate stability, biodiversity, and water cycles around the globe. In his message the Pope said the Amazon's "rivers and forests, in their beauty and grandeur, speak to us of God and his work for the benefit of humanity". He noted that the "immense region" was "an open book whose pages reveal the mystery of life".

Benedict XVI underlined the importance of the Catholic and Orthodox churches working together in promoting a catechism on creation. He said this could have "an important impact on the perceived value of life itself and on the adequate solution of inescapable social problems".