Resolutions on Creation and Ecology
at the 1998 Lambeth Conference

Resolution 1.8:

Creation

This Conference:

(a) reaffirms the Biblical vision of Creation according to which: Creation is a web of inter-dependent relationships bound together in the Covenant which God, the Holy trinitiy has established the whole earth and every living being.

(i) the Divine Spirit is sacrament present in Creation, according to which is therefore to be treated with reverence, respect and gratitude;

(ii) human beings are both co-partners with the rest of Creation and living bridges between heaven and earth, with responsibliltiy to make personal and corporate sacrifieces for the common good of all Creation;

(iii) the redemptive purpose of God in Jesus Christ extends to the Whole Creation.

(b) recognizes:

(i) that unless human beings take responsibility for caring for the earth, the consequences will be catastrophic because of:

· overpopulation
· unsustainable levels of consumption by the rich
· poor quality and shortage of water
· air pollution
· eroded and impoverished soil
· forest destruciton
· plant and animal extinction;

(ii) that the loss of natural habitats is a direct cause of genocide amongst millions of indigenous peoples and is causing the extinction of thousands of plant and animal species. Unbridled capitalism, selfishness and greed cannot continue to be allowed to pollute, exploit, and destory what remains of the earths indigenous habitats;

(iii) that the future of human beings and all life on earth hangs in the balance as a consequnce of the present unjust economic structures, the injustice existing between the rich and the poor, the coninuting exploitation of the natural environment and the thereat of nuclear self-destruction;

(iv) that the servant-hood to God's creation is becoming the most important responsibility facing humankind and that we should work together with people of all faths in the implementation of our responsibilities;

(v) that we as Chrisitans have a God given mandate to care for, look after and protect Gods creation.

(c)

(i) for widesperead converstion and spiritual renewal in order that human beings will be restored to a relationshhip and harmony with the rest of Creation and that this relationship may be informed by the principles of justice and the integrity of ever living being, so that self-centered greed is overcome; and

(ii) for the recovery of Sabbath principle, as part of the redemption of time and the restoration of the divinely intended rhythms of life.

Resoultion 1.9

Ecology

This Conference:

(a) Calls upon all ecumenical partners and other faith communities, governments and transnational companies:

(i) to work for a sustainable society in a sustainable world;

(ii) to recognize the dignity and rights of
all epole and the sanctity of all life, especially the rights of future generations;

(iii) to ensure the responsible use of and re-cycling of natural resources;

(iv) to bring about economic reforms which will establish a just and fair trading system both for people and the environment.

(b) Calls upon the United Nations to incorporate the right of future generations to a sustainable future in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

(c) Asks the Joint Standing Committee of the ACC and the Primates to consider the appointment of a coordinator of an inter-national ecological network within the Anglican Communion, who would:

(i) work in co-operation with other ecumenical and interfaith agencies;

(ii) be funded thorough and responsible to the Anglican Consultative Council;

(iii) support those engaged in grass-roots environmental initiatives;

(iv) gather and disseminate data and information on environmental issues so that the Church can play an informed role in lobbying for ecological justice in both the public and private sectors; and

(v) contribute to the development of environmental educational programs for use in the training of Christian leaders.