ON a day of global climate strikes by students, two of Oceania’s most influential Church leaders delivered an urgent environmental call to action. Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge and Suva Archbishop Peter Loy Chong described Oceania as being “on the frontline of climate change”. “Elsewhere it may seem a matter of scientific debate or a distant prospect but, for the peoples ... Read More »
Tag Archives: climate change
Climate strikers take to the streets around the world
STUDENTS mingled with grandparents, mothers with strollers, and workers in Hi-Vis vests. In 115 cities and towns across Australia, and across the globe to United Nations headquarters in New York, millions rallied under the broad banner of “School Strike for Climate” on September 20 to confront the climate crisis and press for change. They represented all ages and all walks ... Read More »
Archbishop Peter Loy Chong sees islanders move to higher ground, visits Brisbane to raise awareness
A LEADER of the bishops of Oceania has given Brisbane Catholics a personal account of the climate threat engulfing Pacific island nations. Oceania Federation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences president Archbishop Peter Loy Chong spoke of the crisis in a homily at midday Mass in St Stephen’s Cathedral last Sunday. He was a guest of the archdiocese for the launch of the ... Read More »
Pacific Catholic leader to speak on the poor, climate change and the threat of rising tides
A CHURCH leader who has witnessed Pacific villagers forced from their coastal homes because of rising sea levels is to celebrate Mass in Brisbane next month, and will speak about the poor, the vulnerable and the challenges of climate change. Suva Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, who is president of the Oceania Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences, will concelebrate the World ... Read More »
Brisbane bishop leads latest plan to heed Pope Francis’ call to ‘care for our common home’
CATHOLICS across south-east Queensland are being urged to take up the call of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, understand its teachings and support an urgent environmental action plan aimed at protecting the planet. Central to the plan is a commitment to “ecological conversion” in parishes, Church agencies and schools throughout Brisbane archdiocese. Ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, ... Read More »
United Nations nature report says a million species at risk of extinction and humans are to blame
A MAJOR new United Nations scientific report has warned that one million species were under threat of extinction and that land, seas and skies were exposed to the destructive impact of humans. The report was released on May 6, just a few days after Pope Francis offered a critique of capitalism’s “disastrous” impact on the environment, calling for a response ... Read More »
Fire, floods and disaster – the call to be good stewards needed more than ever
IN the wake of Townsville’s “once in a century” monsoonal deluge, a leading ecologist warns extreme weather linked to climate change has the potential to dramatically shift the way Australians live and work, and force governments to ramp up resources to combat emergencies. “We’re seeing things we haven’t experienced before,” Macquarie University distinguished professor of biology Lesley Hughes said. Prof ... Read More »
Archbishop Coleridge among signatories calling on governments in the Commonwealth to tackle climate change
AUSTRALIAN bishops joined more than 170 faith leaders from across the Commonwealth calling on governments to turn “words into action” on climate change. Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, vice-president Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, on behalf of the Australian bishops was one of dozens of signatories of a letter that states “not even the remotest corner of the Commonwealth remains unaffected” by ... Read More »
Religious climate group members including Brisbane Catholic charged over mine protests
Police charged five multi-faith protesters and served others with infringement notices on November 21 as a group blocked work on the Central Queensland rail line to be used to transport coal from the proposed Adani mega-coal mine. The protesters, including those charged with blocking road access and due to appear in court in early December, are all members of the ... Read More »