United Methodists, Catholics Discuss Climate

Washington, D.C.: December 23, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

Representatives from the U.S.bishops' conference and the United Methodist Church gathered last week todiscuss issues related to the environment.

A bishops' conference press release reported on Dec 23 that this meeting tookplace at the same time as the U.N. summit on climate change in Copenhagen,Denmark.

The meeting between the church representatives was the third of its kind,focused on the Christian responsibility of caring for God's creation from aEucharistic perspective.

In the communiqué, Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Washington,co-chair of the dialogue, affirmed that this topic is an opportunity forCatholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians to "witness together insolidarity and common responsibility."

Another co-chair, United Methodist Bishop Timothy Whitaker, affirmed thatthe "beautiful natural world is a loving gift from God." He affirmed thatthe call to discipleship with Jesus involves "social holiness."

"Through social holiness, we make ourselves channels of God's blessing tothe world -- a blessing that extends to the renewal of all creation," theMethodist leader said.

Participants in the dialogue plan to write a final statement regarding the"covenantal relationship that exists between Christian worshipers and thenatural environment."

The meeting was held Dec. 15-17 at St. Paul's College in Washington D.C.The next session is planned for the same location next June.

News source: www.zenit.org