“Lent is a time of repentance and fasting, of turning away from all that is counter to God’s will and purposes for his world and all who live in it”, he said. “This year, I invite Anglicans to focus their Lenten ”˜acts of love and sacrifice’ on our contribution to climate change, and on those most impacted by it.”
Archbishop Makgoba chairs the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN) and is Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa which includes some of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Two of the Church’s dioceses, Lebombo and Niassa in Mozambique, have recently been hit by devastating floods, leaving more than 150,000 people homeless.
Nag, nag, nag. How about reading the New Testament for Lent, or something to do with Christ? The other stuff is good, but concentrate on keeping the main thing the main thing.
What has “carbon” got to do with my faith? I assure you nothing. I have looked at Lent as preparation, anticipation, and contemplation of the events of the Crucifixion and Ressurection. Those to me have a major impact on salvation. What impact does carbon have on my salvation? We get enough of this envirobabble from our president and his EPA attack dogs. Why do we need to hear this from a Bishop? They need to stick to trying to save souls, not carbon emissions. And they wonder why the Churches are in decline, could it be relevence?
In view of the news from the Roman Catholic Church, I think I’ll try to read Ratzinger’s Jesus trilogy for Lent, and pray that they and we will be guided by the Holy Spirit. This is no time for transient and unscientifically-founded political causes.
Lent is five weeks off. That said I find the Church’s fasting discipline adequate. But if a carbon fast will make him feel better I promise to avoid burnt toast.