The leader of the Irish Church has called on the three third level institutions in Maynooth to work together to become “a model of sustainability and community well-being”.
Speaking at the weekend to graduates of theology and philosophy as Chancellor of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, as COP26 continued in Glasgow, Archbishop Eamon Martin said St Patrick’s College, the Pontifical University and Maynooth University share “an amazing campus” in Co Kildare.
“There is so much that could be done to ensure that plans and developments here represent best practice in terms of energy management, quality green spaces for living and studying and active commitment to minimising our carbon footprint,” the Archbishop suggested.
He said the three sister institutions have great potential to create a model space for shared dialogue and research, where faith, culture and science interact to foster a better future for all.
The Primate of All Ireland told the graduates that it was clear from events in Glasgow that people, especially our young people, are demanding courageous action, not just words, from leaders and government at every level.
In his address, Archbishop Martin said: “We all share responsibility for the problems facing our world, but equally, we share responsibility for finding the solutions.”
Each one must accept the personal and collective need to change and make sacrifices, recognising the inherent issues of justice and fairness and realising that the cry of the earth is especially the cry of the poor.
“Climate change is already having a disproportionate impact on those who are on the margins, those most dependent on fragile ecosystems and most vulnerable to famine, to drought, to food and water insecurity and conflict, to exploitative and ‘predatory economic interests’, to the destruction of their homes and displacement of their families,” Archbishop Martin said.
He warned that a culture of blame and despair regarding the future would achieve little.
“We must choose together to transform the culture and dispel the bleak outlook by actively pooling our gifts and talents in a partnership of dialogue and creativity, thereby changing hearts and minds and bringing all our shoulders to the task of protecting and caring for life on earth,” he said.
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