Pontificate on oil pipelines:
From here:
Six Anglican bishops from across British Columbia and Yukon came together on Good Friday in a call for the environ-mental review hearings on the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline to remain fair and free from political pressure.
“There’s some concern that the decision’s already been made and that the review process is just a rubber stamp,” said Bishop Michael Ingham, of the Diocese of New West-minster. “I think what we’re trying to do is call upon the panel itself to resist pressure – political pressure, industry pressure – and to come to a fair, balanced and thorough set of recommendations.”
Ingham signed the statement, which he said was prompted by bishops being inundated with concern for the process from members of their dioceses.
Rather than build a pipeline in Canada, I am quite sure that the six bishops would prefer oil revenues continue to flow to Middle Eastern countries who subjugate women, hang homosexuals and persecute Christians – much less environmental damage.
“I think what we’re trying to do is call upon the panel itself to resist pressure – political pressure, industry pressure…”
So Mr. Ingham would have all those in favour of the pipeline silenced. That would leave only those voices who are opposed being heard.
“…and to come to a fair, balanced and thorough set of recommendations.”
I suppose his idea of fair and balanced is one in which only those things that he wants people to hear are the things that are spoken. I think that there is a word for such a person. Hypocrite!
Bishops often speak out on issues they see as socially significant. That is a Christian thing to do. Sad that they need to remind the government to be democratic. Against the power of government to push development projects that will only make a few people rich while destroying pristine environments and 1st Nations communities – I think this is the least they could do to follow the “justice” teachings of Jesus.
“destroying pristine environments and 1st Nations communities”
It is so easy to make such bogus statements. But please back them up. Please explain exactly how this will “destroy” anything. Also, please list all of the Indian communinities this will affect and describe in detail exaclty how they will be affected by this.
http://www.savethefraseer.ca
http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/files/PDF/ChiefsCouncilResolutions_Nov2011.pdf
http://www.kairoscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SUS_RE_KAIROSGatewayAnalysis.pdf
1st Nations coommunities depend on sustainable forestry and fisheries. Wisely they see resource extraction as a mugs game that only has a downside for culture and tradition. Anglicans will do well to stand with them in opposition to Enbridge/Kinder-Morgan PR. If you look at the damage that has already been done to the Peace and Athabasca drainage systems and the increased rate of cancer in those communities you would not be an appologist for the “powers” of the day.
The websites that you indicate are known propaganda. Kairos is especially bad for its blatent misrepresentation of information. Hardly a reliable source of objective information. If this is the type of information that you would have our government look at, and nothing else, than you would be committing a huge disersive to our country.
From what I have been able to determine about these so called “1st” nations they have not “depended” upon forestries and fisheries for a very long time. But instead depend upon taking from me my hard earned money through our taxes.
Dear AMP
Peace be with you. What data would you find compelling?
Tar sand oil will push atmospheric GHG above 500 ppm leading to 3-5 degree C increase in global temperature – even more than that in our northern regions. 1/3 of our interior timber is affected by warm weather pine beetles devastatinging local economies. You may not be affected but your children and grandchildren will. At this critical time how is God’s love best made manifest? God made us the stewards of creation but we have not done a very good job to date – there is still time. Will you help?
Coal will do far more damage than oil. See http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/coal-not-oil-sands-the-true-climate-change-bad-guy-analysis-shows/article2343528/
The point is being missed here. Yes, as Christians we have to be aware of issues that are socially significant. However, we are in a world sadly in need of the Gospel and we have Bishops spending Good Friday talking about everything but the significance of the day. The world situations are temporal, they should be about eternal business. Especially on Easter weekend of all times.
It seems to me that Christians are most convincing when they practice what they preach. Acts of compassion are worth dozens of sermons. The risen Christ leads us into the world, not away from it.
Yes but the world still needs to know about Him and His saving grace. My point is that at Easter of all times – Bishops should be about the Risen Christ and His message to a hurting world. There are many other days when they can deal with these issues.
You make a good point.
“development projects that will only make a few people rich while destroying pristine environments and 1st Nations communities”
It should also be pointed out that these companies are offering to employ hundreds and hundreds of aboriginal people during the construction and maintaining of these projects. It won’t just be “a few” people who will become rich, it will also be the first nations’ peoples and communities in the area.
This is not an either-or situation. Aboriginals can have their fishing and hunting AND work for these companies on their projects.
The number of permanent jobs produced by the pipeline industry is quite small. 1st Nations have developed profitable and sustainable fishing, forestry and adventure tourism industries that are endangered by pipeline spills and would be devastated by tanker spills like Exxon Valdez.
The 1st Nations are firmly opposed to the pipelines and tankers. Given the Anglican history with 1st Nations we should stand with them now in refusing the petro-dollar disruption of their land and culture.
Oh come on Bob. The Exxon Valdez was 23 years ago. How many tanker spills around the entire world have happened since? Also, when was the last time there was a pipeline spill? These are “red hearings” that catch peoples attention but when looked at objectively are nothing more than the baselase cries of alarmist environmentalists.
As far as our Anglican history with Indians goes, I see no justification for that being the reason for us to side with them on any issue. The first resident school opened in the 1840’s and the last one closed in 1996. I was not even yet conceived during most of that time, and even after I was born had nothing to do with them. So please do not try to apply guilt by association onto me for things that were done by other people mostly before I was alive. Besides, the Anglican Church of Canada has paid (literally paid millions of dollars) its share of the restitution and sincerely embarked on a mission of healing. What more can it reasonably be expected to do?
Finally, do not think for one second that the Indians will not have a long term financial benetif from the pipeline. Whereever the pipeline passes through Indian land the Indians will be paid generously. Even where the pipeline does not pass through but near they will demand financial concessions.
Hi AMP
The Enbidge pipeline systems records about one spill/month, Kinder-Morgan had a major spill in Burnaby recently: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/…oil_spill_kinder_morgan…/20090
Exxon delayed compensation for the last 23 years and the fishing industry there was permanently affected. It is not from guilt that should listen to what the 1st nations people are saying about resource exploitation on their traditional lands but charity and compassion. Do not do unto others what you would not have done to yourself.
The tar sand oil will add about a trillion tonnes of GHG to an already overloaded atmosphere. Is that wise stewardship of God’s creation? Will you bet your grandchildren’s future for a few petrodollars?
The native leadership is saying, “no!”, what are our leaders saying?
Bob,
You link does not work. Try these…
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304636404577291352882984274.html
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/284137/scientists-behaving-badly-jim-lacey
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2055191/Scientists-said-climate-change-sceptics-proved-wrong-accused-hiding-truth-colleague.html