Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale818

II

Ad Patriarcham Oecumenicum Bartholomaeum I, Archiepiscopum Constantino-

politanum.

To His Holiness Bartholomaios I

Archbishop of Constantinople

Ecumenical Patriarch

It gives me great joy to greet you and all those taking part in the Seventh

Symposium of the Religion, Science and the Environment movement, which

this year turns its attention to the subject: "The Arctic: Mirror of Life". Your

own dedication and personal commitment to the protection of the environ-

ment demonstrates the pressing need for science and religion to work togeth-

er to safeguard the gifts of nature and to promote responsible stewardship.

Through the presence of Cardinal McCarrick I wish to reaffirm my fervent

solidarity with the aims of the project and to assure you of my hope for a

deepening global recognition of the vital relationship between the ecology of

the human person and the ecology of nature.1

Preservation of the environment, promotion of sustainable development

and particular attention to climate change are matters of grave concern for

the entire human family. No nation or business sector can ignore the ethical

implications present in all economic and social development. With increasing

clarity scientific research demonstrates that the impact of human actions in

any one place or region can have worldwide effects. The consequences of

disregard for the environment cannot be limited to an immediate area or

populus because they always harm human coexistence, and thus betray hu-

man dignity and violate the rights of citizens who desire to live in a safe

environment.2

This year's symposium, dedicated again to the earth's water resources,

takes you and various religious leaders, scientists, and other interested par-

ties to the Ilulissat Icefjord on the west coast of Greenland. Gathered in the

magnificent beauty of this unique glacial region and World Heritage site your

hearts and minds turn readily to the wonders of God and in awe echo the

words of the Psalmist praising the name of the Lord who is "majestic in all

1 Cfr Message for the 2007 World Day of Peace, 8. 2 Cfr ibid., 8-9.