The Chair of the Church of England’s group on Mission and Public Affairs Philip Fletcher has today (16th August 2013) issued the following statement placing recent media reports in context:
“The Church of England has no official policy either for or against hydraulic fracturing (known as ‘fracking’). However there is a danger of viewing fracking through a single issue lens and ignoring the wider considerations.
“There are a number of balancing considerations which need to be taken into account when coming to a view. Fuel poverty is an increasingly urgent issue for many in society – the impact on energy bills is felt most by the least well off. Blanket opposition to further exploration for new sources of fuel fails to take into account those who suffer most when resources are scarce.
It would be nice if the C of E would have an official policy (a Biblical one!) concerning the sanctity of life. Fracking/payday lenders/the debt crisis, etc – a Christian should certainly encourage actions in accordance with Jesus’s instruction to love and honor God and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, but I tire of churchmen focusing on political/secular matters and ignoring/twisting/”new ageing” religious matters.
I also am incredulous that the COE is weighing in on tracking.
What next? Announcing their policy on the proper raising of organic leeks and the use of manure as compost?
Generally speaking, I also support fracking. So my incredulity is not based on my not agreeing with the COE on this. I just find it particularly presumptious and ignorant of the Church’s message to be wasting ink on statements on fracking.
It’s like they cannot think of really anything important or significant to say, and so feel as if they must fill up the dead white space of the silence with chit-chat.
Embarrassingly irrelevant.
I do appreciate that they weigh in on the cost of some of the government programs on poor people trying to stay warm in the winter.