The Vatican Delegation is being headed by the experienced diplomat Archbishop Celestino Migliore the Vatican’s permanent observer at the UN and includes experts on the environment.
Archbishop Migliore, addressing the UN General Assembly last November, said a new global strategy must seek long-term solutions and help alleviate poverty by giving special attention to developing countries. He warned against fostering short-term economic growth without regard to the environment, saying
we should not burden future generations with our overstated energy consumption.
Caritas Internationalis linking 150 Catholic charities will also be represented in Copenhagen. Caritas is bringing bishops and representatives from 25 countries. Caritas is promoting three criteria for solving the problem: by pledging money to developing countries, to keep global warming below 2 degrees and in developed countries cutting greenhouse gas emissions to below 40% of 1990 by 2020.
Caritas says Copenhagen conference is a ‘once-in-a-generation’ chance to save the human family from a future of climate chaos’ (full story—CNS Catholic News Service 03 Dec 09).
Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the prophets of our time and may we be open to their teaching.
Fr Kevin
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Sunbury 