I recently watched a television programme which was reflecting on Cyclone Gabrielle; this powerful, severe ‘weather bomb’ literally wiped out crops and vineyards particularly in the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay areas of New Zealand. Sixty nine homes and eighteen hectares of land was literally washed away. Reflection on the event highlighted the fact that as global warming continues, so too will our unpredictable weather patterns. Many parts of our world are, and will no longer be safe; I am reminded of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of New Orleans and surrounding areas in August 2005.
Sallie McFague, the late feminist theologian, speaks of the earth as the body of God. Our beautiful planet earth is our home; our home, which is particularly anchored, you might say, by the Arctic and Antarctic poles. Both these ice caps are melting.
David Attenborough speaks to this interconnection in his various TV series. He cautions that with the severe melting of both North and South poles, the life of our entire planet will be altered.
Antarctica has been frozen for 30 million years; this home of penguins, seals and polar bears is already being eroded. They have as much right to live on this sacred planet as I do.
We are a global community and what we do to one part of our precious planet affects the whole.
New Zealand author, Dr Hinemoa Elder names Antarctica as the “cardiovascular system on our earth, the pump, the controller of currents and weather systems, she forces us to face what really matters. She shows us that what we call climate emergency is real.” Elder also notes that it might be better to refer to climate emergency as an earth emergency.
Christina Cathro is a New Zealander and a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM). She holds an MA in Formative Spirituality from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and a Doctor of Ministry from the Toronto School of Theology.
Christina is an educator. Besides teaching, her ministry has included being RNDM novice director in New Zealand, and serving as spiritual director, retreat leader, and group facilitator in several countries. She has additionally served on both the RNDM Canadian and New Zealand Leadership Teams.
To all her involvements, Christina brings a passionate sensitivity for beauty and transformation. She carries a strong sense of the Spirit working with, in, and among us, to create a world where all of life is able to flourish.
I love the image of “anchoring,” Christina. The “anchor” as metaphor is often used in our Christian tradition as a symbol for “hope.” In boating an anchor can keep you from running aground, or getting turned over. From your article I see that one carries an anchor for hope from deep within–we must protect the north and south “anchors” of the earth, and be anchors (signs of hope) for one another. Thanks Chris.
Your post today falls on the one year anniversary of this RNDM Canada Blog. One year of thought and reflection that RNDMs and friends have contributed to this world. Thanks for your contribution, and for the contribution of each writer.
I appreciate that your “anniversary post” helps me/us recognize the urgent ecological work to which we who live in the polar regions of Earth need to attend. Our particular “great work”.