(20 July 2006) A message from Benedict XVI to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
I of Constantinople was made public today, for the 6th symposium on the environment
organized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate as part of its "Religion, Science and Environment"
project, the theme of which this year is "The Amazon River: source of life." The
symposium, which is also taking place under the patronage of the Catholic Church in
Brazil, is being attended by, among others, Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, archbishop
of Sao Salvador da Bahia, and by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, vice dean of the College
of Cardinals, who delivered the Pope's Message to the Patriarch Bartholomew I. In
that Message, the Pope thanks Bartholomew for "your support for the Brazilian episcopate's
commitment in Amazonia and your activity in favor of the environment, the deterioration
of which has grave and profound repercussions upon peoples." "The task of highlighting
an appropriate catechesis of creation - in order to recall the meaning and religious
significance of its protection - is intimately connected to our duty as pastors,"
writes the Pope, "and could have an important impact on the perceived value of life
itself and on the adequate solution of ... social problems." The Holy Father expresses
the hope that the Amazon symposium "may once again draw the attention of peoples and
governments to the problems and urgent needs of an area ... so threatened in its ecological
balance." He also highlights how, with this initiative, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
I has sought to demonstrate "Christian support to the people of the Amazon regions." "In
our common commitment," says Pope Benedict in his Message," I see an example of that
collaboration which Orthodox and Catholics must seek constantly in order to respond
to the need for a shared testimony. This means that all Christians must cultivate
that interior openness of soul which is dictated by charity and has its roots in the
faith. In this way, they can together offer the world a credible witness of their
sense of responsibility towards the defense of creation." Remarking on the presence
at the symposium of figures from the great monotheistic religions, the Pope observes
how "reciprocal respect" between faiths also comes about through initiatives such
as this one, which concern the interests of all. "It is necessary," he concludes,
"to find common ground in which to bring together the commitment of each individual
to defend the habitat ordained by the Creator for human beings." Emer Mccarthy
has this report....