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“Solar Nun” Headlines Creation Care Events in South Carolina

Regional Cultures of Conservation,

May 26th, 2010

Sister Paula Gonzalez, SC speaks at South Carolina forum

Sister Paula Gonzalez, SC speaks at South Carolina forum

Sister Paul Gonzalez, PhD, a member of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, delivered the keynote addresses at two recent conferences in South Carolina devoted to the care of creation within faith-based communities. On May 20, more than fifty religious leaders from a wide variety of Christian denominations met at Mepkin Abbey in Moncks Corner, SC, where the Center for Humans and Nature (CHN) joined with Audubon-South Carolina and the brothers of the Abbey to offer “Caring for Creation: A Forum for Religious Education Leaders.” On May 21-22, John Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston hosted “God’s Wonderful World: Creation Care for the Lowcountry Faith Community,” a gathering also sponsored by CHN and Audubon-South Carolina.

On both occasions Sr. Paula, introduced by Fr. Guerric Heckel, OCSO, as an “ecological evangelist” and known as “the solar nun” because of her commitment to a solar-powered future, spoke on the urgent need for humans to undergo a conversion, to repent of self-serving exploitation of the earth and become God’s hands in the world. Drawing upon the Earth Charter, in her words a “spiritual document,” she declared that humans are to live with renewed reverence for the earth; deeper gratitude for the gift of life; and genuine humility in their relationship with nature.  “Liberation theology,” Sr. Paula stated, “has democratized theology,” so that we can choose to move radically toward a sustainable economy, freed from an outmoded industrial model.

Sister Paula’s theological challenges were supplemented by practical training during the afternoon sessions of each day. Church leaders and environmental professionals offered workshops on energy conservation; teaching creation care; and the promotion of sound environmental practices within churches and homes.

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