The UN Climate Change Conference COP 25 (2 – 13 December 2019) took
place under the Presidency of the Government of Chile and was held with
logistical support from the Government of Spain. The conference
was designed to take the next crucial steps in the UN climate change
process. Following agreement on the implementation guidelines of the
Paris Agreement at COP 24 in Poland last year, a key objective was to
complete several matters with respect to the full operationalization of
the Paris Climate Change Agreement. His All-Holiness Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew sent the following message to its participants in
Madrid:
To the Honorable Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Dear Ms. Espinosa,
This letter serves as an expression of resolute support and
unwavering solidarity on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – the
first and sacred See of the Orthodox Church throughout the world – for
the successful deliberations of the forthcoming COP 25 convention over
which you are presiding in Madrid from December 2–13, 2019.
For one quarter of a century, the world’s foremost scientists and
faith leaders as well as diverse authorities and numerous activists
have assembled and agreed on the need to address and resolve the urgent
challenge posed by global climate change. During the same period,
political and social leaders have held endless consultations and
high-level conversations, at times successfully approving groundbreaking
solutions though at other times regretfully resisting firm commitment.
It is time to bring those two worlds together for the sake of preserving the world that we have inherited and impacted.
As you are aware, for three decades, the Ecumenical Patriarchate
has expressed a prophetic voice on creation care, inviting all Christian
confessions and faith communities to protect the precious gift that we
share. In this global vision, we have recently been encouraged and
joined by Pope Francis of Rome and Archbishop Justin Welby of
Canterbury.
At the same time, concerned citizens and people of good will
throughout the world are appealing and protesting, while at the same
time hoping and praying for prompt and practical results to avoid the
alarming consequences of climate change. This is because everyone is
fully and painfully aware that no single nation, corporation or
institution can be excused from responsibility or exempted from
accountability.
The significant progress attained in preparation for and in the
wake of the Paris Agreement must be accepted and affirmed by all.
Apathetically promoting unsustainable policies or arrogantly persisting
with unjustifiable practices – complicitly surrendering to profit at the
expense of people or complacently procrastinating action at the
detriment of our children – are unforgivable and dishonorable sins.
We are hopeful about the results at Madrid – quite simply because
we are optimistic about humanity’s potential. Let us work together to
offer our planet an opportunity to heal and continue to nurture us.
With wholehearted wishes to you and your colleagues, as well as
organizers, speakers, and all those in attendance at the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, we remain,
At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on December 7, 2019
Prayerfully yours,
+ BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch