Catholic Bishop Strikes Out at Brazilian Deforestation

I’m a huge supporter of the separation of church and state, and get very antsy whenever the line is stepped on or crossed. However, sometimes I’m willing to turn a blind eye when it is done this way. Hopefully, in the near future, our thanks will go out to Brazilian Catholic Bishop Guilherme Antonio Werlang.

Last week the senior Roman Catholic bishop struck out at the Brazilian government’s continued deforestation of the Amazon. He criticized their energy and agriculture policies, accusing them of destroying the Amazon forest and threatening the livelihood of local populations.

“We cannot ignore deforestation by loggers who violate the country’s laws and … threaten tribal Indians and others who depend on (the Amazon),” he said. He was launching the church’s annual Lent campaign to mobilize followers on issues of social concern.

• » See also: #3 Portland, Oregon (USA): Great Bicycle City Photo Tour
• » Get EcoWorldly by RSS or sign up by email.

Now many of you will just dismiss this as another religious man or woman stepping into an arena far from their own. First of all, you’d be talking rubbish as the Bible often tasks us with protecting the God-given land. But even if you are not religious, you have to admire the man’s political timing.

Brazil is still heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, and even with dwindling numbers, the say-so of a senior bishop is going to pull some weight. The government will, hopefully, bow to the wishes of a newly convinced public.

Werlang’s warning comes at a time when governmental disagreement over such issues is rife. Brazil’s environmental ministry has blamed farmers and cattle-ranchers for moving deeper into the forest, searching for cheap land. However, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the agriculture ministry reject such claims.

Between August and December an estimated 2,703 square miles, or two-thirds the annual rate for the 12 months ending in July 2007, were chopped down.

“We have to question the energy programs that deteriorate our rivers and land with the construction of ever more hydroelectric plants and monoculture farm production,” said Werlang, member of the Brazilian Bishops Conference CNBB.

Photo Courtesy of Gidsicki via Flickr

Tweet This Post