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Mar 9, 2012

"It’s been an interesting journey"

My good friend and colleague Chuck Conway is retiring from his second career in water pollution control – and what careers he's had. He shared reflections of his (rather colorful) life in the worlds of government and training and Vietnam. And he granted me permission to share them with you. 

It's a good read for anyone interested in the early days of water pollution control, in how government often works, and the ups and downs that got us where we are today. 

And it reminds us that the people behind the scenes are human beings made in the image and likeness of God – people who have moms, make sacrifices, are never perfect, and seek to do good. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this quite interesting journey  . . .


...
Feb 26, 2012

"The covenant between me and you and every living creature"

In the first reading at Mass yesterday – the first Sunday of Lent – Catholics were reminded of Noah. This was followed by St. Peter’s epistle, which expanded the flood imagery with the promises of baptism. Both readings then contrasted wonderfully with the Gospel’s scene in the desert. As I was listening to these texts, each echoed a subject that of late has been the focus of much discussion: the place of man within creation.
God said to Noah and to his sons with him:
"See, I am now establishing my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
and with every living creature that was with you:
all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals
that were with you and came out of the ark.
I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed
by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth."
God added: "This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you
and every living creature...
Feb 22, 2012

Lent 2012: Life, brotherhood, and communion

The good is whatever gives, protects and promotes life, brotherhood and communion.  Pope Benedict XVI. 2012 Lenten Message.

The Holy Father's Lenten Message for 2012 is a must read, and I pray that many of the faithful will hear some of it from the pulpit or read it in their parish bulletins or web sites. As usual, his words astound. I encourage you to read the message in its entirety.

I was particularly struck with the urgency with which he connected caring for our neighbor with two related issues that are dear to him – unity and love. Moreover, it is telling how his words speak so deeply to events here at home in America and within the pro-life world.

As I’ve been posting about recently, we’ve seen schism between those who see life issues as only abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem-cell research and others, like the Holy Father, who dare to expand the matter of life to the ecological systems that keep humanity breathing, fed, and happily hydrated. While I understand why my brothers and sisters devoted...

Feb 16, 2012

The ecology of contact

Recent gospel readings remind us of a peculiar trait in Christ’s ministry to the sick: When healing them, he touched them.

Of course, such touching of the sick would have been unheard of among the Jews of Jesus’ day. It was a violation of the Law of Moses. It was a radical departure from what the Nation of Israel knew of love of neighbor. It was, therefore, subversive and dangerous.

Yet it was, and is, the way of Christ.

The Holy Father calls this to mind beautifully in his February 12th Angelus, to people standing in the chilly Roman air of St. Peter’s Square:
While Jesus was going about the villages of Galilee preaching, a leper came up and besought him: “If you will, you can make me clean”. Jesus did not shun contact with that man; on the contrary, impelled by deep participation in his condition, he stretched out his hand and touched the man — overcoming the legal prohibition — and said to him: “I will; be clean.” 
That gesture and those...
Feb 14, 2012

Church and state: life and the physics of the Gospel

What should the state do when an archbishop complains about government policies?

According to many in America today, the Church should be silent. This is the refrain we hear over and again when discussing federally mandated insurance for artificial contraception and abortifacients.

But one wonders if this refrain is being sung – and if so, by whom – about an archbishop in the Philippines who has been a harsh critic of his government's environmental practices, especially related to mining.

Here’s some of a report from BusinessMirror.com, a Philippine publication: 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The highest official of the Roman Catholic Church here has reiterated his call early Monday night for a moratorium on mining activities even as he hit claims that mining has not contributed to the devastation wrought by Typhoon Sendong last December.
Mayor Vicente Emano said that he had issued “special permits” to mine several hectares in the city’s hinterlands and had not suspended these operations despite snowballing calls for him to halt theses operations. Most members of the City Council...
Feb 8, 2012

"That they may be brought to perfection as one"

It’s always depressing to watch Christians fight – especially those so dedicated to the Gospel of Life. But today was a day when the forces of division won small battles in the war for love, unity, and life.

As reported in the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN),
Today during an Energy & Commerce hearing that covered the health impacts of mercury on the unborn Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill) challenged Rev. Mitch Hescox, President & CEO, of the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) on his pro-life views.
"The life in pro-life denotes not quality of life but life itself," said Rep. Shimkus.
EEN’s blog also refers to a statement of the Cornwall Alliance, which made a staunch defense of maintaining the purity of what it means to be pro-life. The Alliance is not pleased about any association of mercury poisoning with issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem-cell research. Here’s some of their statement:
Consequently, calling mercury pollution and similar environmental causes pro-life obscures the meaning of pro-life. And thanking politicians with 100% pro-abortion voting records...

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About the Blog

Catholic Ecology posts my regular column in the Rhode Island Catholic, as well as scientific and theological commentary about the latest eco-news, both within and outside of the Catholic Church. What is contained herein is but one person's attempt to teach and defend the Church's teachings - ecological and otherwise. As such, I offer all contents of this blog for approval of the bishops of the Church. It is my hope that nothing herein will lead anyone astray from truth.