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Pope Francis mentioned the environment and the need to ‘protect creation’ in his first mass. That’s a good start (see coverage here, here, here but particularly here).
This is a particularly welcome section: ‘Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be “protectors” of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment. Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world!’
Notice that in this short passage Pope Francis talks to decision-makers and also to all of us (assuming that the readers of this blog are men and women of goodwill).
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Whilst one would echo what the Pope and indeed you say on the subject Mark, the great problem for all habitats and their inhabitants is the sheer number of us humans, sympathetic or not. The position of the the catholic church in its opposition to birth control is failing to either recognise that fact and/or do anything about it, never mind the effects of this policy on believers in the developing world; to my mind this is unforgivable.
Again I am impressed by this new pope and he’s only been in office such a short time. Already he’s shaken the place up with some great priorities. He has shown integrity and courage. And now he shows awareness of the environment. Who knows what else this man will challenge and change given a little longer in his post. I’m certainly not looking this gift horse in the mouth yet a while.
Let’s hope that he does not become the papal equivalent of our “greenest government ever”. Too early to judge yet, of course.
Creation protection?
Very admirable.
Shame about the “procreation protection” doctrine though eh?
Yep. Never did like pot pourri
Lets not pile too much pressure on him,for sure he has plenty to get on with and so far seems to be a breath of fresh air.
Different topic,saw first Chiffchaff of year today.
Dennis – I agree (and you are a whole chiffchaff ahead of me)
Hmmm helping the poor? I wonder how vocal the pope was under the brutal military rule in his own country (not very), so using that as a benchmark I have to wonder when faced with politicians how vocal he will be for nature and the poor, I also wonder how snowed under he’ll be in sorting out the churches own problems, but maybe I’m being to negative after all perhaps religion could be a strong and powerful voice for nature, I cast my mind back to your blog post about the RSPB AGM and how the Muslims view nature which is very positive….guess we’ll have to wait and see…or pray!
I thought the name he took was hopeful.
No chiff chaff yet but I have had a garden full of song and mistle thrushes, redwings and fieldfares. The goldcrest has made it through the snow (on crumbled suet pellets and mealworms).
I don’t think you’re being too negative Douglas, far from it. And you’re right…. Mainstream religion could be a powerful voice for nature.
But lets face it, whilst often professing responsible environmental stewardship if pressed, the green agenda(um) is hardly an honest priority of mainstream religion.
For that we might need to look to Jainism, paganism or perhaps native American beliefs… if we really have to?
Mark,I was very surprised by this particular Chiffchaff as it was perching on twigs hanging over a pond and then we saw it probably about 20 times fly from a twig and hover for a second or two while drinking,something I did not realise they could possibly do,further along the hedgerow there was a great collection of birds obviously just come from France I would assume made up of Chiffs,Bramblings,Goldfinches with odd one of Greenfinches and Chaffinches.Lots of birds now coming through Portland and other coastal places in Dorset.Surprising number of Ring Ousel.Did you see the webcam of Nottingham Peregrine,the poor bird was almost covered in snow for about 5 days while sitting tight on the nest.
Saw in the paper P C and son P W going to do something like organise a conference to save wildlife all over the world.Admiral thing to do but he ought to sort out G Bs Hen Harrier problem first as that is partly in the family and on his family’s doorstep.
We are getting Ring Ouzel as you would expect but they are turning up in odd locations (playing fields etc). It may be it is too cold to go to the usual downland areas.
Dennis – very interesting. I guess the chiffchaff might have been picking food (insects/ dead insects?) off the surface of the water but I didn’t see it so you are in a better position to know than I. I’ve not seen that behaviour before – aren’t birds brilliant?!
This is then time for ring ousels, and as Bob said, they can turn up anywhere – and perhaps even more so this year?
Yes a royal move on raptor persecution would be good – don’t think we will ever see that in our lives…
Hi Dennis, I know what this particular Chiff Chaff was doing (probably). Our housing estate was built on the grounds of an old country home (Mansfield House) as a result we have this big parkland and within it are three small ornamental ponds, over time they became blocked up fell into disrepair, until a group of us cleaned them up, re-dug the channel feeding water into them and cleaned them up. There is now a man who’s interest is bugs/insects etc, especially midges and the ponds are is “pet” project. At the moment some of these insects are waking up to very cold weather and are very lethargic and resting/drowning on the surface and I wacthed both a Chiffchaff and Greywagtail do exactly what you describe and at first thought they were drinking but was able to get close views of both birds scooping these insects of the water….
Mark and Douglas,thank you both for that explanation and feel sure that is what was happening on reflection,still wonderful to see.