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Climate change contributes to large-scale human migration as it results in a scarcity of essential resources, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and so-called slow onset events. Weather-related crises have triggered more than twice as much displacement as conflict and violence in the last decade, according to UNHCR and the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).
The current development model sees humanity as the owner and ruler of nature, which may be exploited without limits. This modus operandi widens inequalities and intensifies social exclusion. Although the environmental crisis affects everyone, it has a greater impact on vulnerable populations, whether in terms of limited access to clean water, food scarcity, agricultural products spoilage, or violent conflict. The degradation of the ecosystem is also a social degradation, and is a significant push factor in human migration patterns.
The building of a healthier and more welcoming and therefore more equal world depends on effective public policies that offer responses to the many aspects of the climate crisis, including migration. Coordinated action is needed to ensure that environmental challenges are recognized and addressed in a way that protects peoples’ rights, reflects their needs and aspirations, and provides for a sustainable future.
The Catholic Church feels care for the earth and all those who have been displaced due to the climate crisis. This bulletin presents some good examples.
On Thursday, May 20, another online event was held within the project The 14th Ecumenical Social Week. This time we discussed the nuclear energy, its ecological and ethic dimensions for Ukraine and the world. The event was initiated by the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University.
The experts, who participated: Serhii Plokhii, Professor of the History of Ukraine at Harvard University, Director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University; Vitalii Demianiuk, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at the NT-Engineering company, Ukrainian engineer, entrepreneur, public activist, philanthropist; Oleh Pokalchuk, social psychologist and Volodymyr Sheremeta, Head of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church Ecobureau.
The event was moderated by Oksana Kulakovska, Director of the Analytical Center and the Kyiv Center of UCU.
“Pope Francis accentuates that we should apply the interdisciplinary approach to the environmental issue. And our Ecumenical Social Week strives to do this. The today meeting is a vivid example of this approach. When a scholar, an engineer, a historian, a theologian and a psychologist sit at the same “virtual table” and learn from each other and give us, the participants, chance to learn and to investigate the issue of the nuclear energy from different points of view” - Pavlo Smytsnyuk, the director of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of UCU, addressed the audience.
On May 14th, during panel «Dialogue between churches, society and politics», Pavlo Smytsnyuk mentioned:
“In Ukraine, the state and the churches try to work in partnership, which respects independence of each actor. We can speak on mutual support , but also of some areas of ambiguity. I would like illustrate this by citing three cases. First, the churches’ contribution to the state and society. Maidan was a moment, when the churches spoke with one voice against injustice coming from the state. Today, in the context of war, when not enough attention is given to the population in the East of the country, or to the internally displaced persons—the churches help with their proactive and generous support. Moreover, churches invite to reconciliation even when the latter remains unpopular in Ukrainian society. Second, the state’s beneficial influence upon churches. Covid-19 pandemics has challenged the churches to be more responsible. Most Catholic and Orthodox communities were very prudent. But certain churches behaved as an “enfant terrible”: denying the dangers of the virus, promoting a magical approach to the sacraments, etc. In this moment, the state played a positive role, calling the churches to become more responsible. Third, a case, in which there was a risk of ambiguity in relationship between church and state. The creation of the new Orthodox Church came about as a blessing to many Ukrainians, whose ecclesial structures lacked canonicity. The Catholics and the Protestants received a new partner for ecumenical dialogue. However, the fact that this Church was created with the support of the state, left many churches and individuals alarmed. They felt that there was a risk of a de facto state church. It seems that these fears have not materialised. The whole situation, however, pointed out that both Ukrainian state and churches should be careful in protecting the legitimate separation of the church and state”
Participants: Hermann Gröhe Member of the Synod of the EKD, Member of the German Parliament Prelate Dr. Karl Jüsten Head of the Commissariat of the German Bishops - Catholic Office in Berlin, Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Spasenovski Professor at the Faculty of Law “Iustinianus Primus” and former Member of Parliament in North Macedonia Moderation: Patricia Ehret Advisor for Churches and Religious Communities at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
International Forum
14th Ecumenical Social Week
«Promoting The Common Good: Towards Sustainable Development»
Lviv, October 5-9, 2021
(hybrid format, with online option)
The annual International Forum “Ecumenical Social Week” (ESW) unites the resources of academia, the community, public authorities, churches, social organizations, charities, and mass media to discuss and solve social issues, based on the principles of common good and the Social Doctrine of Christian churches. Last year’s discussions (the theme was “Hear the Cry of the Earth: Integral Ecology in Action”) hosted attendees from 15 countries, who have lead us to the decision to dedicate the next issue of the ESW to sustainable development. We aim to host a series of discussions on sustainable development goals, approaching them from the perspective of ecumenical social doctrine and creating a platform for interdisciplinary exchange.
Organizers: The Institute of Ecumenical Studies, Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv City Council, Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Ukraine.
Expert support and partners: Lviv Regional Council and Administration, National University “Lviv Polytechnics”, NGO “Center for Eco-theology and Sustainable Development”, UGCC Ecobureau, “Ecology, Law. Human Being” and others.
We invite scholars, experts and activists interested in the topics of sustainable development, religious social thought and integral ecology to send us proposals for both panels/events and papers focused on, but not limited to, the following subject areas (sustainable development goals):
On March 12-13, 2021, an online meeting of the IXE - The Initiative of Christians for Europe, an association of lay organizations and committed Christians from different European countries, took place. Feeling responsible for building a fairer world, the participants discussed important issues of peacebuilding, environmental protection, inequality and social justice. The meeting resulted in a joint statement calling to respond immediately to the climate crisis and to join forces to contribute together to “ecological and social justice and peace, becoming one single human family”.
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