Fr. Sean McDonagh, SCC, leading thinker and prolific writer in the field of Eco-Theology to receive the Partnership for Global Justice Award.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK, NY – February 28, 2011 – Fr. Sean McDonagh, SCC will receive the Eighth Annual Partnership for Global Justice Award on Sunday, May 1, 2011. Fr. McDonagh will accept the award and deliver a keynote address. The luncheon and award ceremony will be followed by an orientation symposium in preparation for the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development that will take place at the United Nations from May 2 – 14, 2011.
The luncheon, award ceremony and orientation, which are open to the public, will be held at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle at 60th St. and Ninth Avenue in New York City beginning at 1:00pm. Information regarding tickets for the award luncheon and /or orientation is available from the Partnership for Global Justice (www.partnershipforglobaljustice.com).
Fr. McDonagh, SCC, a Columban priest of Ireland, is an outspoken critic of policies that allow for the systematic degradation of the environment linking them to global poverty and the increased suffering of the poor. It was during his work with the indigenous T’boli people on the Philippine island of Mindanao in the 1970s and 1980s that his understanding of environmental issues and the relationship between faith, justice and ecology took hold. He strongly urges the church to take up John Paul II’s challenge to undergo a ‘ecological conversion’ advocating that environmental justice must be a core Catholic activity.
Fr. McDonagh is the author of numerous articles and nine books including Climate Change: The Challenge to All of Us, Greening the Christian Millennium, Care for the Earth and Dying for Water. He is a consultant to the General Council of the Columban Fathers on ecology and environment and a frequent guest lecturer at the Pacific Institute, Sydney, Australia. As one of the most highly respected and sought after environmental theologians, Fr, McDonagh illuminates the causes and consequences of issues such as global warming, genetically engineered food, water pollution, extinction of natural environments and the dangerous impact of modern patterns of production, distribution and consumption.
“We are honored to present this award to Fr. McDonagh, a man who has so elucidated our understanding of environmental justice and whose passion and dedication challenges us all to hear the cries of the poor and the cry of the Earth,” said Sr. Lucianne Siers, OP, Director of the Partnership. “He represents the legacy and spirit of our annual Justice Award by his life-long work as a faithful steward,” she added.
The Partnership for Global Justice is a network of religious congregations, social justice groups and individuals seeking to foster equitable global systems, strategies for ecological sustainability and a respect for the diversity of cultures and traditions through educational programs, advocacy and participation with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization.
Contact: Abigail Metzger
Partnership for Global Justice
211 East 43rd St. Suite 708
New York, NY 10017
212.682.6481
www.partnershipforglobaljustice.com
I am delighted to hear of fr Sean’s award as I have read a few of his books on environmental issues. He has been a prophetic voice who deserves to be listened to more widely. What a shame that so few Catholic priest in my part of the world, UK, have grasped the importance of our duty of care for the earth.