Key Moments
The Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Oxford UnionKey Moments
The Ecumenical Patriarch emphasizes that caring for the planet is inseparable from caring for God and fellow humans, urging a shift from consumerism to solidarity and shared responsibility, not just for us, but for future generations.
Key Insights
The ecological crisis is intrinsically linked to the ethical challenge of poverty and human rights, as the most vulnerable will be harmed most by global warming.
The Orthodox Church views sin as having a cosmic dimension and cosmological impact, meaning human actions have lasting effects on the Earth.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate established a religion and science committee in 1995 to foster interfaith and interdisciplinary collaboration on environmental issues.
Over the last 24 years, there has been a significant shift in how the Turkish government and people perceive and acknowledge the importance and global reputation of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
The Orthodox Church comprises 14 independent, self-sufficient churches, functioning as a democracy, with the Ecumenical Patriarch serving as the convenor and protector of Orthodox unity, not as a supreme leader.
The Holy and Great Council, the first of its kind in 1200 years, is a significant event being prepared by the Orthodox Church for 2016, aiming to unite the 14 autocephalous churches.
Ecology as an inseparable spiritual and ethical imperative
The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I asserts that concerns for human dignity, rights, and social justice are inextricably linked to ecological protection and sustainability. He argues against separating religious or spiritual values from worldly matters, stating that our relationship with nature directly reflects our relationship with God and fellow humans. This interconnectedness is why religious leaders are increasingly vocal on the ecological crisis. He highlights a joint article with the Archbishop of Canterbury in the International New York Times, affirming a choice for charity over greed and frugality over wastefulness. The Patriarch emphasized that basic human rights, such as access to clean water, air, and food, should be universal, reinforcing the moral obligation to care for both people and the planet. He stated that the future of humanity is tied to establishing a culture of solidarity, which encompasses freedom, generosity, and justice.
The return of God and religion's public role
The Patriarch identifies a significant trend of the 'return of God' in the new millennium, meaning a re-evaluation of religion's function and responsibility in the public sphere. Religion is no longer solely a private matter but a central dimension of human life, influencing personal, social, and even future aspects of our world. He argues that religion has a vital role in public discourse and in responding to contemporary crises, such as the refugee crisis and economic instability, which he views as crises of solidarity. The Orthodox Church, historically, has sought to build bridges through interfaith dialogue, ecological awareness, and fostering a culture of solidarity, demonstrating that religion can actively engage with complex global issues.
Challenging economic fundamentalism and consumerism
A primary threat to the culture of solidarity, according to the Patriarch, is the prevailing 'fundamentalism of the market and profit.' He contests the idea that the economy's sole purpose is human service, pointing out the shared etymological root of 'economy' and 'ecology' from the Greek 'oikos' (household). This suggests that both disciplines are concerned with the management and care of our shared home. The Patriarch rejects economic reductionism, which reduces humans to mere 'homo economicus,' and resists the transformation of society into a giant market driven by the tyranny of consumerism and the identification of being with having. Wealthy industrialized nations, he notes, are the primary contributors to atmospheric pollution, posing a critical question about their willingness to sacrifice self-indulgence and consumerism for the sake of future generations and the needs of the rest of the world.
Global warming as a moral and ethical crisis
The Patriarch unequivocally frames global warming as a moral crisis and challenge, deeply rooted in the human heart. He emphasizes that the solution extends beyond science, technology, and politics, requiring a radical change of mind, new values, and a transformed ethos. The theology of the Orthodox Church recognizes the natural creation as integral to humanity's identity and destiny, meaning every human action impacts the Earth. This necessitates a 'metanoia' – a profound shift of mind and heart – to transform our attitudes and actions toward the world. He points to the paradox of immense scientific progress in the last century coexisting with the greatest destruction of the environment, noting that knowledge alone has not led to the necessary 'metanoia'.
Interfaith dialogue and coexistence in a diverse world
The Ecumenical Patriarchate stands at a unique crossroads, both geographically between Asia and Europe and religiously between Christianity and Islam. As a Turkish citizen living in a predominantly Muslim country with a small Christian minority, the Patriarch has personal experience with interfaith relations. Interfaith dialogue, for them, is a matter of normal coexistence and survival. The Patriarchate initiated official conversations with Islam and Judaism in the 1970s, aiming to discern common ground and understand points of division among the three Abrahamic monotheistic religions. This commitment to dialogue extends to environmental issues, with the establishment of a religion and science committee in 1995 and the organization of eight worldwide ecological symposia based on interfaith and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Navigating political landscapes and church independence
The Patriarch's position, while spiritual, intersects with political realities. Regarding the re-election of President Erdoğan in Turkey, the Patriarchate emphasizes working with existing circumstances. Despite past difficulties faced by the Greek community, including the closure of the Halki Seminary, the Patriarch actively advocates for its reopening as a symbol of openness, tolerance, and coexistence. Over the past 24 years, there has been a notable shift in how the Turkish government and public acknowledge the Patriarch's global reputation, achieved through his personality and charisma rather than confrontation. This shift signifies a growing appreciation for his role, extending beyond just representing the Greek Orthodox community to symbolizing minority rights in Turkey.
The structure and unity of Orthodox Churches
Addressing the independence of the Russian Orthodox Church and the broader structure of Orthodoxy, the Patriarch explains that the Orthodox Church consists of 14 autocephalous (self-governing) churches. These churches are doctrinally and liturgically united but differ in governance. The Ecumenical Patriarch acts as 'first among equals,' convening and coordinating Orthodox unity, rather than possessing a supreme authority akin to a Pope. This decentralized structure can be challenging, as seen in navigating relationships with national governments like Russia's, but it also allows the church to function democratically. The protection and facilitation of Orthodox unity is central to the Patriarch's role, highlighting the ongoing preparations for the Holy and Great Council, a significant event intended to unite all Orthodox Churches for the first time in over a millennium.
The nature of calling and the future of religion
The Patriarch's own calling to the church originated over 60 years ago in a different world, where he grew up in a religious setting in a small village. His close connection with the local priest and his early experiences attending services in natural settings, particularly in the mountains, fostered a sense of vocation from a young age. Responding to the perception that fewer people identify as religious today, the Patriarch's message to secular societies about instilling a sense of sacredness in the environment involves recognizing a shared commitment to core values. Even without religious belief, a secular person acting with compassion, standing up for the underdog, and caring for their neighbor and the planet aligns with the core principles that religion advocates. This shared commitment to justice, compassion, and care for creation transcends religious or secular divides, emphasizing that doing the right thing is a universal imperative.
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Common Questions
The Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, strongly believes that religion has a vital and profound role in addressing the ecological crisis. He argues that caring for the planet is inseparable from spiritual and pastoral values, reflecting our relationship with God and fellow human beings.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
The Archbishop of Canterbury, who jointly signed an article with the Ecumenical Patriarch on climate change.
The speaker, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, who addresses the role of religion in environmental issues, interfaith dialogue, and his unique position in Turkey.
An apostle whose succession is referenced in the context of the long history and preparation for the Holy and Great Council of Orthodox Churches.
The Pope who shares similar environmental concerns with the Ecumenical Patriarch, evidenced by his encyclical and attendance at the Patriarch's events.
The leader of Russia, whose influence on the Russian Orthodox Church was a point of concern for the Ecumenical Patriarch.
The church headed by Bartholomew I, which has a long-standing theological dialogue with the Anglican Communion and is concerned with ecological issues.
The academic union where the speech was delivered.
A Christian communion with whom the Orthodox Church established a theological dialogue over 40 years prior to the speech.
The international publication where an article co-signed by the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop of Canterbury appeared.
An NGO affiliated with the Ecumenical Patriarchate that provides relief and development programs worldwide.
A commission whose report on health and climate change prompted a joint article by the Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Canterbury.
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