Diocesan News08 Apr 13

Cashel and Ossory to receive Church of Ireland’s first diocesan eco award

The Diocese of Cashel and Ossory will receive a diocesan award from Eco–Congregation Ireland (ECI) in recognition of its environmental endeavours. It will be the first Church of Ireland diocese to receive such an award. The only other diocesan award that has been made was to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kerry in May 2012.

Cashel and Ossory adopted a green charter five years ago, which all parishes have signed up to and display on their premises. Many parishes have undertaken eco projects, including installing solar panels, organising talks with environmental speakers, holidng confirmation classes outdoors and maintaining church grounds in such a way to increase wildlife and biodiversity. 

The award will be presented during an ECI Roadshow that will be held in the River Court Hotel, Kilkenny from 2–5pm on Saturday 20th April. Eco theologian and author, Fr Seán McDonagh, and environmentalist, Gavin Harte, will address the theme ’Live Simply, Live Well ~ why Christians should care about the environment’.

Members of Cashel and Ossory’s eco committee and the Oblate parishes of Inchicore, Dublin, will give powerpoint presentations on their eco initiatives and it is hoped that local green schools will also showcase their work.

ECI is an ecumenical project that encourages churches to adopt an eco approach to worship, lifestyle, property and finance management, community outreach and contact with the developing world. It awards parishes and dioceses that have taken environmental steps in four areas – practical, spiritual, community and global awareness.

Seven parishes have received awards since ECI was set up in 2005 by the Irish Inter–Church Meeting’s Church in Society Forum, two of them Church of Ireland – Whitechurch and Rathfarnham in Dublin. Prior to ECI’s inception, St Molua’s in Belfast received an award from Eco–Congregation Scotland in 2002.

The Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian churches and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) support ECI. Rev Andrew Orr, Rector of Tullow, has recently succeeded Rev Elaine Murray, Rector of Carrigaline, as the Church of Ireland representative. A member of Cashel and Ossory’s eco committee, Rev Orr is delighted that the diocese is to receive an award.

“Many parishes in the diocese have worked hard on environmental awareness and it will be good for them to have this recognised,” he says. “Environmental initiatives are hugely enjoyable: there’s a great positive energy and all ages can get involved. We would encourage other dioceses and parishes to undertake eco projects and, if you’re not sure how to do this, come along to the roadshow to find out! 

“It is all too easy to feel overwhelmed by the reality of climate change and by its devastating effects both here and overseas. The roadshow is designed to encourage and empower people to make changes in their own lives, churches and communities.”

For further information, see www.ecocongregationireland.com.