Our Wonderful World at Risk
Many species of birds and insects are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. Frogs have suffered a horrendous 40 per cent decline since 1990, and it is estimated that one third of certain species of bees in Ireland are threatened with extinction.
by Fr Donie O’Connor, mhm I will never forget the final words of David Attenborough as he leaned into the camera from his BBC studio chair; the unscripted integrity of his message was transfixing, as he spelt out the harrowing repercussions for our planet and our children if we continue to live unsustainably. His final words were: “it’s not about saving whales at this stage, it’s about saving ourselves.” He spoke those words in a BBC documentary. It was a passionate but disturbing ‘Cry for help’ from this great prophet of our time; he has spent his life making films about the natural world - planet earth. He says: “our world is in real danger of destruction because of climate change and environmental damage caused by ruthless greed.” 16
Autumn 2021
If we do not take responsibility with urgency now and protect our planet, the consequences are serious. The situation will threaten our ability to feed ourselves and control our climate. It also puts us at greater risk of pandemic diseases. David Attenborough states bluntly “that all of us have a moral responsibility to rescue our planet; it is not an option.” We have an obligation to act swiftly, to take care of planet earth. We must begin again to coexist in harmony, respect and friendship with the natural world, knowing that all creation communicates the glory of God. We are blessed and nourished “to see a leaping squirrel in a tree. Or a red lady-bird upon a stalk. Or little rabbits in a field at evening, lit by a slanting sun.” (Padraig Pearse - The Wayfarer). The wonder of nature pours on us God’s healing and redemption.
“Earth’s crammed with heaven” The poet Elizabeth Barret Browning expresses beautifully how creation is soaked in the Divine and the eternal voice of God that feeds and elevates us. ”Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush is afire with God, but only he who sees takes off his shoes.” We fail God when we fail to cherish his presence in all creation. God loves all things by uniting them not by excluding them. The Divine presence seeks cooperation and connection, Pope Francis writes in Laudato Si: “the natural world is our common home; it is hurting; do we hear its cry?” The Pope affirms that all pain, cosmic, animal or human are the same - a cry for help! We have a duty of care to listen for that cry and respond. For so long, we have viewed creation as a giant resource to be exploited. We diminished and
“that all of us have a moral responsibility to rescue our planet; it is not an option.” Autumn 2021
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