Pomiędzy ekumenią a ekologią

Abstract

The space between ecumenism and ecology is filled by activities, which have one final purpose for Christians: the unity of the whole created world. Acquiring that unity can be possible due to ecumenical efforts, striving towards the Christian unity and activities healing the environment. The last two decades showed, that active concern for the environment builds the unity among Christians, and that the ecumenical experience of the Christian unity is useful on the way to the unity with the whole created world. The Author of the article describes the co-operation of the Christian Churches till now on theological area, activities for sustainable development of environment and of societies as well as activities for rights of nature, and rights of future generations. The above mentioned areas of co-operation are only the best known examples, but do not exhaust completely the subject of activities undertaken jointly by Christians. In the second part of the article the Author presents tasks which should be urgently included into the plans of co-operation among the Churches, namely: create the ecumenical ecotheology, develop the common ethics and bioethics, establish and sustain the structures of exchanging information and co-operation, change lifestyle of the Churches and the Christians, undertake the Christian environmental education. There is one more important requirement for environmental activities: they are really effective when undertaken in common by governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations and the Church’s ones. Such co-operation has been strived by ecumenists and ecologists.