Irish cardinal says action needed to prevent environmental disaster

Published: 2004-08-27

DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) -- Effective action must be taken soon at the international, national and local levels to prevent an environmental catastrophe and growing interracial conflicts, said retired Cardinal Cahal Daly of Armagh, Northern Ireland. Speaking at the launch of his new book, "The Minding of Planet Earth," in Belfast Aug. 23, the cardinal said: "Much of what has been done up to now is mere tokenism, given the scale of looming crisis. There must be changes of life and lifestyle, and these do not come without cost. Life in accordance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ is relevant to the survival of life on this planet, as much as it is relevant to the salvation of souls. Christian conversion and ecological 'conversion' converge." The book, published by Veritas, has been in development for a long time, the cardinal said in a telephone interview with Catholic News Service. He said his interest began while teaching philosophy and grew after he became a bishop. "I was very concerned during my ministry about the problem of poverty and the link between poverty and violence in Northern Ireland," he said.

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