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'What does creation-care look like in the Age of Trump?'


The Spring 2017 issue of Vocation for Justice, the Columban newsletter focusing on Justice, Peace and Ecology, asks 'What does creation-care look like in the Age of Trump?' The editorial suggests that a strategy for Christian activists in the United States will include engaging in legislative and legal decision-making, mobilising churches, using media and social media for moral purposes, standing up to hateful words and acts, and public protest. There will be a particular focus on trying to maintain funds to address climate change.

The issue looks particularly at the subject of 'Water'. Columbans live and work in communities where access to quality water is limited due to economic and environmental policies and practices. They support local communities trying to keep their access to water. Increasing privatisation and commodification of Water is challenged, and access to Water underlined as a human right.

The front cover of the newsletter shows the presence of Columban JPIC at the London event to mark the Global Day of Action 'No Dakota Access Pipeline' on 1 December. Ellen Teague of Columban JPC and Jo Siedlecka of Independent Catholic News attended the early morning vigil outside a bank in the City of London which is among more than 30 banking institutions funding the oil pipeline. Around 100 people stood outside the Royal Bank of Scotland Office in Bishopsgate. 'Water is Life' was prominent on the banners.

For months, the Standing Rock Sioux have been peacefully protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline project in the US state of North Dakota. Their allies include more than 500 faith leaders who gathered at Standing Rock in November 2016 for prayers. People of faith have also been involved in vigils across cities in the United States. If it goes ahead, the $3.7bn pipeline will carry more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil a day across ancestral lands and under the Missouri River. Opponents fear that if the pipe leaks or spills, it could dump hundreds of thousands barrels of crude oil into the Missouri River, less than a half mile downstream from the tribe's water supply. Also highlighted has been the lack of respect for indigenous people's concerns, and the money being invested in a fossil fuel when the risks of climate change are scientifically linked to greenhouse gas production.

The Sioux opposed to the pipeline won a major victory in December when the Obama administration denied a key permit. But new US President, Donald Trump, is an investor in Energy Transfer Partners (ETP), the pipeline operator, and a vocal supporter of the project. He also selected an ETP board member as his energy secretary. People of faith supporting those opposed to the pipeline were dismayed yesterday when the army corps of engineers provided notice of its intention to grant a permit for the oil pipeline to cross the Missouri river in North Dakota. The decision follows Donald Trump's executive order in his first week in office to expedite the project.

For the Columbans in Britain, Creation Care means underlining the mission of calling the Church to respond to environmental crises everywhere. They say: "Whether the occupant of the White House is sympathetic or not, whether the Church at large understands or not, our task is to continue to proclaim this truth: God loves creation, and has given us the task of taking care of it and of caring for the vulnerable communities facing the impact of environmental degradation first hand.

See the Spring Vocation for Justice at: www.columbans.co.uk/resources/publications/vocation-for-justice-magazine/

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