redressing the floods debate...
Friday, July 06, 2007
With reference to his inclusion in last weekend's Sunday Telegraph article, which quoted various bishops as saying the recent floods are God's judgement on our society's 'moral decadence', Bishop James Jones has claimed that he was misrepresented, saying:
"When people lose their lives, others their homes and livelihoods it is important pastorally to say that their disaster is definitely not a judgement of God on them. That is why I refused to use the language of judgement. God has created a world of cause and effect. If we change the climate through profligate use of carbon it is we who bring upon ourselves and others the consequences of reaping what we sow."
I'm very much in agreement with Maggi Dawn and Kester Brewin regarding the original article, in particular the reported comments of Bishop Graham Dow, and so am relieved that Bishop James has clarified his position.
You can read the press release on the Liverpool diocesan website 'here'. It is hoped that the Sunday Telegraph will publish Bishop James' statement this weekend.
"When people lose their lives, others their homes and livelihoods it is important pastorally to say that their disaster is definitely not a judgement of God on them. That is why I refused to use the language of judgement. God has created a world of cause and effect. If we change the climate through profligate use of carbon it is we who bring upon ourselves and others the consequences of reaping what we sow."
I'm very much in agreement with Maggi Dawn and Kester Brewin regarding the original article, in particular the reported comments of Bishop Graham Dow, and so am relieved that Bishop James has clarified his position.
You can read the press release on the Liverpool diocesan website 'here'. It is hoped that the Sunday Telegraph will publish Bishop James' statement this weekend.
I'm Malcolm Chamberlain
from Liverpool, United Kingdom
. I'm married with two young children and, in addition to Liverpool, have lived in Leicester (for the first 18 years of my life), York, Peshawar (Pakistan), Oxford and Walsall. I've been actively involved in the emerging church since 2001, as a founding member of Dream in Liverpool City, and coordinator of the Dream network. I'm currently engaged in research into emerging missional communities, and work as a parish priest and pioneer minister.
