Editorial

Global greenhouse: Take better care of our earth

On a recent walk through my neighborhood in Madison, I enjoyed the signs of spring: tiny flowers poking through the ground, buds on trees, birds singing, a fresh smell in the air.

I think we often take the beauty of nature for granted. Perhaps that's why we observe Earth Day and Environmental Awareness Day in April. It gives us an opportunity to talk about the importance of our earth and to remind us to take care of all living things on our planet. For Christians, our respect for all of life means being good stewards of everything God has created.

Global warming. We have not always been good stewards. Scientists have been warning us about the dangers of global warming and many environmental activists have urged us to take better care of the environment. Back in 1992, U.S. and Canadian church leaders issued a statement calling on their respective governments to reduce "consumptive energy-wasting practices."

The church leaders said, "We live in a global greenhouse. A delicate balance of naturally occurring gases filters the sun, balances temperatures and makes life possible on earth. For 100 years the balance has been increasingly and dangerously skewed by greenhouse gas emissions produced by the energy-hungry lifestyle of the world's Northern nations. An international scientific consensus now exists that this accumulation of greenhouse gases is leading to global warming."

They warned that global warming will cause more droughts, rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense storm activity. It seems to me that we've already experienced some of these effects of global warming - and it will only get worse.

The church leaders urged our governments to prepare a comprehensive plan to outline strategies to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions. The leaders encouraged churches to teach their own members about caring for the environment.

How to help. While we should continue to push for laws to protect our environment, we can also help on a practical level by changing our own habits. Wisconsin's Environmental Decade released a list of "Earth Day Deeds" to care for Mother Earth. Their Web site at www.environmentaldecade.org has these and other suggestions:

• Install a low flow shower head to save water.

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or washing your face.

• Direct rain downspouts toward the lawn or a rain garden, not the pavement.

• Plant a tree. If space is an issue, consider a dwarf variety.

• Keep recycling.

• Have an energy assessment done on your home.

• Bike, walk, or take the bus to work or school.

• Invest your dollars in socially responsible companies.

I encourage our readers to consider an Easter resolution to protect all of God's creation by promoting environmentally sound policies and practices in our homes, neighborhoods, churches, and workplaces.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

	Mailbag policy We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Limit letters to 200 words or less. All letters must be signed. Send letters to: Mailbag The Catholic Herald P.O. Box 44985 Madison, WI 53744-4985 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

To the editor:

I have some comments and questions regarding the Catholic Herald's March 13 article on "priests' morale." The situation and resulting ramifications caused by the priest shortage is much to be concerned about.

Is it wrong to ask these questions: What about the priests in our diocese that have married and are no longer acting priests? I have been led to believe we have 30 plus such priests in our diocese. Can we utilize these men of the cloth?

Is it wrong to ask the question: Why can the Eastern Rite Catholic Church have married priests? Is it wrong to ask the question: Why can Protestant ministers and Episcopalian priests deciding to join the Catholic faith as priests still remain married?

Reading the article, and observing the six issues brought to the council for discernment, I was hoping there would have been a seventh issue concerning married priests.

I am sure I am not alone with these concerns. Is it wrong to ask these questions? Is it wrong to seek justification for myself and many other Catholics concerning these questions?

Al Hiebing, Cross Plains