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Rev. Tofinga Vaevalu Falani of Tuvalu said the vulnerable low-lying islands of his region are already being affected by climate change.

Rev. Tofinga Vaevalu Falani of Tuvalu said the vulnerable low-lying islands of his region are already being affected by climate change.

The World Council of Churches central committee issued a reminder on the pressing issue of climate change this week, urging member churches and others to "Be stewards of God's creation".

The "Minute on global warming and climate change" was one of seven public issues statements adopted by central committee during its meetings 13-20 February in Geneva. Others addressed the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, cluster munitions, the "religious imperative to foster sensitivity and reconciliation in a shifting society", Pakistan, Kenya, and democratic election processes. A brief recommendation related to Kosovo was also adopted.

Climate change is having effects "being experienced already in many parts of the world", the statement notes, and "action must be taken now". As stewards of God's creation, churches and religious communities "can take key leadership roles" for what is "both an environmental issue and a matter of justice".

Rev. Tofinga Vaevalu Falani of the Congregational Christian Church of Tuvalu, in the Pacific, told the central committee that the vulnerable low-lying islands of his region are already being affected. "There are people who are suffering", he said. "Come, you can experience (firsthand) how sensitive the issue is".

The statement "urgently calls the churches to strengthen their moral stand" on the issue and calls for "a profound change" in the way humans relate to the earth.

It encourages the sharing of knowledge and experiences and urges churches to set aside a special time to have prayers and action related to the stewardship of creation. It proposes 1 September as an annual date. Theological schools and seminaries are asked to "teach stewardship of all creation" as part of their curriculum.

Central committee members also considered a "Statement on eco-justice and ecological debt", which acknowledges the impact that industrialized nations of the North have had on the environment and well-being of poorer nations, especially in the South, and seeks to correct the imbalances.

Many, however, wanted more time to learn about this relatively new concept or wanted more practical guidelines provided in the statement. A recommendation was made that it be received as a proposed statement and referred to member churches for reflection and feedback, which the public issues committee could then use to revise the document before the next central committee meeting in September 2009. This recommendation was approved.

Minute on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip

The minute names the violence occurring in that Palestinian region and "calls urgently" for "an immediate lifting of the blockade of Gaza". It calls on member churches to pray for Gaza and to speak out on the situation, especially affirming the "Amman Call" of June 2007 that established a global week of International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel. That week will be observed 4-10 June 2008.

Statement on cluster munitions

The statement begins with counsel from Galatians 6:7: "You reap whatever you sow". It recounts the deadly use of cluster weapons around the world and their indiscriminate effects on civilians, and condemns their use. It lifts up the "Oslo Process" for negotiating a treaty against the use of cluster munitions, commending governments that have already joined and urging the governments of non-participating nations—including most major powers—to do so. Churches are encouraged to become better informed and involved.

Minute on our religious imperative to foster sensitivity and reconciliation in a shifting society

This minute came out of a concern over a rumoured film against the Qur'an being released in the Netherlands. It grew into a broader call for mutual respect among people of different faiths, encouraging churches to model non-violent solutions. It affirms the "unique and strategic role" that religious leaders have in building reconciliation and healing.

Recommendation on Kosovo

On Kosovo, the public issues committee called attention to a "Minute on Kosovo" adopted at the September 2006 central committee meeting, which encouraged efforts toward reconciliation and committed the WCC to monitor issues of human rights and religious freedom in the region.

The committee additionally brought forward a paragraph by Bishop Irinej, a Serbian Orthodox now serving in Australia and New Zealand, that was adopted by central committee. It asks general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia to "send a letter of support" to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on behalf of the central committee, expressing affirmation of efforts toward peace.

More information on the central committee meeting