According to Francis, protecting creation also means caring for the poor and vulnerable. That is exactly the approach of a consortium in which Hense participates (funded by ZonMw). “We are studying how a green living environment can improve the physical, mental and spiritual health of vulnerable people.”
'Hof van Heden'
Churches can also contribute to a green living environment. According to surveys by Hense and colleagues among Catholic parishes and Protestant congregations, one-third of the churches in the Netherlands are actively doing so. In addition to things that every citizen can do, such as choosing fair trade products, installing solar panels and using less plastic, churches can work even more broadly. “They often own a lot of land, such as gardens and cemeteries. They can turn this land into green oases.” Hense mentions the Hof van Heden in Nijmegen as a good example. In this project the Lourdeskerk (a Catholic parish in Nijmegen), together with volunteers from the neighbourhood, has turned a parcel of vacant land into an organic vegetable garden, complete with insect hotels and rainwater collection. “The garden has become a meeting place for local residents, and the vegetables are used to prepare meals for the vulnerable. In this way, the church has linked a green project to social goals.”
Another example are churches that carry out neighbourhood clean-up campaigns together with local residents. “This attention to sustainability can bring new impetus to parishes and congregations and make them more visible in the neighbourhood.”
Solidarity
Hense and her colleagues are going to publish a collection of examples of green projects to inspire other churches. In the collection they also point out the importance of collaborating with local partners. “My research has shown that churches often operate like islands and are not very good at networking.”
Hense agrees with Pope Francis that sustainability is a Christian duty. Churches can pay attention to this in the liturgy and thus mobilise support in the parish and congregation. “We are all jointly responsible for achieving a more sustainable world. This is not only a question of technology, but also of ethics and solidarity: what kind of world do we want to live in and what is really of value? As theologians, we can and must play a role in this search for a new balance of values. It’s about the survival of our planet."
Tip: Take out a vegetable subscription from a garden project.
“And become a member of Coöperatie Land van Ons. This cooperative buys farmland and works with farmers to make it more sustainable.” www.landvanons.nl
Elisabeth Hense(1957) has taught Christian Spirituality at Radboud University since 2001 and has published several books on socially engaged spirituality. See also: www.ru.nl/groeneparochies
Photo: Pauline van Kempen (Katholiek Nieuwsblad)