Letters

Climate change

P.C. Wilson

Contents - Nov 2011 - Buy a copy now Homily: Benedict XVI: From his All Saints Day homily - Pope Benedict XVI Ad Limina: The Australian bishops' 2011 ad limina visit to Rome - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Pastoral visit: Benedict XVI calls his visit to Germany 'a great feast of faith' The Lion of Munster: Blessed Cardinal von Galen: a voice against tyranny - Babette Francis WYD Madrid: World Youth Day 2011: Experiencing Christ's presence - Dr Joe Santamaria WYD Madrid: World Youth Day: Becoming sons and daughters of Christ - Sam Rebbechi Society: Finding hope in the midst of secularism - Cardinal Raymond Burke Saints: G.K. Chesterton: Is there a case for his canonisation? - Karl Schmude Letters: Catholic schools - Don Gaffney Letters: First Parents - Fr Brian Harrison OS Letters: World Youth Day Madrid balance sheet - Fr Edward P. Evans Letters: Planetary Spirituality - Grahame Fallon Letters: Climate change - P.C. Wilson Letters: Immoral policies - Anthony English Letters: Vatican II - Kathleen Donelly Letters: Atheism - Fr Bernard McGrath Letters: Same sex marriage - Brian Harris Letters: Islam - John Frey Letters: Catholic healthcare for Cairns - Dr Tim and Anne Coyle Letters: New parish in India - Fr S. John Joseph PP Letters: Advocate needed - Oliver Clark Books: STRAINED RELATIONS: The Challenge of Homosexuality, by Bill Muehlenberg - Dr Joe Santamaria (reviewer) Books: ST THOMAS BECKET, by Michael Green - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI, by Ivan Gobry - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Donations: Support the Fighting Fund! Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: The Church's architecture: faith translated into vision - Bishop Arthur Serratelli

Recently in the Catholic Leader (Brisbane), a representative of Caritas Australia, Kirsty Robertson, called on the Federal Government to give greater help to developing countries "in the grip of social trauma caused by climate change". She added: "No one is more affected than our neighbours in the Pacific, south Asia and the Torres Strait. The time for hesitation and inaction is over."

However, she provides no evidence to support her claim that "climate change is hurting families."

In fact, her assertion that islands like Kiribati are among those suffering is contradicted by a recent study quoted in New Scientist. This reveals that, rather than sinking, these low-lying atolls are growing, thanks to coral debris, land reclamation and sediment.

Caritas is, among its other activities, an aid agency receiving donations from its supporters.

Although there is no question of its good intent, one has to question its determination to weigh into an issue which is unproven and hotly contested.

Those who give money to Caritas must wonder if it is being wisely spent.

P.C. WILSON (MR)
Gold Coast, Qld

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 24 No 10 (November 2011), p. 14