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Published Date: November 11, 2009

The modern world faces the dilemma of the biblical city of Nineveh and must abandon its wicked ways with the environment if it is to survive, Asansol Bishop Cyprian Monis says.

“We are all called to do something urgently to save the earth because humans may not survive too long if the world continues in the way it is doing today,” Bishop Monis told UCA News after the Nov. 4-7 workshop on “Eco-spirituality for global peace and human liberation.”

According to the Bible, Jonah was sent by God to the Assyrian city of Nineveh to warn the people there to repent or face destruction. They did and God spared the city.

In the same way, “we are called to change our attitudes toward the earth, and do what is possible within our capacity to protect nature and the eco-system,” Bishop Monis said.

Seven prelates and 51 heads of Religious congregations attended the program organized by the Bengal Regional Bishops’ Council and the Conference of Religious India’s units in Sikkim and West Bengal states.

Bishop Monis told UCA News the workshop was “an eye-opener.” He said he would encourage his people to conserve water and avoid plastic, and would ask each family to plant at least one tree a year.

Bishop Joseph Suren Gomes of Krishnagar also plans to encourage his people to plant trees and use energy-saving lamps. He told UCA News he now has a greater awareness of how closely humans and nature are linked.

Bishop Salvadore Lobo of Baruipur says he is most worried that farmers’ preference for chemical fertilizers could destroy the ecosystem.

Archbishop Lucas Sirkar of Calcutta, meanwhile, wants respect for the earth to become part of evangelization efforts.

SOURCE

Bishop sees lessons from ‘Nineveh’ in eco-crisis (UCA News)

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