The
challenges of climate change and ecological sustainability were among the main
issues discussed at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Melbourne this
week.
Around
4,000 people gathered for the event from 3 -
9 December. Delegates included Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians
and representatives from many other religions.
With
world leaders about to gather in Copenhagen to discuss setting emissions
targets, many religious leaders at the Parliament were keen to stress the need
for cooperation on environmental issues among religions.
Prominent
Catholic social campaigner Sr Joan Chittister OSB was a special guest at the
Parliament, on route to Copenhagen to add her voice to those calling for
greater action in the developed world. Speaking to a crowd of around 800 people
on Saturday afternoon, Sr Chittister said her message would be particularly
aimed at the delegation from the United States.
‘I'm
one of those people who really believe that it is imperative that we make
considerable and significant changes, that we need to make them immediately,
and we need to make them globally', she said.
‘I
worry a lot about the influence of corporate profits over human profits in this
arena. We want them to know we are watching, and we will not stop watching, and
we will not stop calling America to a higher degree of morality than we have
seen in this last 20 years.'
Parliament
delegates wrote messages a 60-metre long scroll that will be taken to
Copenhagen. There were sessions on religion and ecology, and a series titled
‘Connection to Copenhagen' providing analysis of the ecological ramifications
of climate change and models seeking to address it.
South
African Anglican Bishop Geoff Davies organised a statement calling on rich
countries to foot the bill for developing countries seeking to utilise green
power, while cutting their own emissions. While
the Parliament was not about passing formal resolutions, Bishop Davies told The
Age that a large number of delegates would sign the statement.
‘We're
calling for the rich to pay for clean energy in developing countries because
the rich - Europe, America, Australia and Russia - have an ecological debt', he
said.
The
environment wasn't the only topic on the minds of delegates at the Parliament.
Other sessions and speakers looked at a range of topics including the role of
religions in overcoming poverty and developing communities, peace-building and
reconciliation, and indigenous issues.
American
Jesuit Fr Philip Rossi was a guest speaker at the conference. The professor of
theology at Marquette University in Milwaukee was a part of a panel discussion
on peace in a sustainable and just world.
In a presentation titled 'What is peace?', Fr Rossi explored how the Catholic liturgy helps provide a framework for thinking about just war theory.
'What
would be the shape of the conduct of a community if it took seriously the
transformative pattern of enactment - from strife to understanding, from
hatred to mercy, from vengeance to forgiveness - that [the] Eucharistic prayer
calls upon God to effect?' he asked.
'Is
this not a prayer that the community become, through the transformation for
which it prays that God effect in it, nothing less than an "enactor of peace"?'
Many others also came to take part in discussions aimed at finding ways for people of different religions to live together in peace and harmony. John
Prust, a student from Jesuit-run Boston College's School of Theology and
Ministry in the United States, was there as part of a project bringing together
young people from 15 different seminaries across North America to participate
in sessions called ‘Building Leaders for a Religiously Diverse World'.
‘We're
constantly going to be around people from different religious traditions, and
it's important to understand them and be able to talk about them', he said.
The
Dalai Lama was a special guest at the Parliament, addressing the gathering at
the closing plenary this afternoon.
Below are some photos from the Parliament.
The Parliament exhibition space provided opportunities for discussion and sharing.
Dragon dancers in the foyer of the Parliament space.
There were opportunities for delegates to leave messages and share thoughts in displays.
The Parliament was a chance to learn and engage with other religions.
Each religion brought its own colour to the Parliament.
Photos Michael McVeigh, Jesuit Communications Australia.
For
more photos and reports from the Parliament, go to www.parliamentofreligions.org.