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Extracting shale gas from under the sands of the Karoo using the method called high volume hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’ is highly contentious. South Africa needs alternative energy sources, taking into account our current energy crisis. However, in his encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis urges us to use the environment in a sustainable way, protecting the earth for future generations. In the light of this plea for a reciprocal relationship between human beings and the environment, the important question which fracking presents is what impact the extraction of shale gas will have on the Karoo and its inhabitants as we seek to benefit from this energy source.

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration suggests that there may be as much as 485 trillion cubic feet of shale gas under the surface of the Karoo. According to the Economist, these shale reserves could be the fifth largest shale gas reserve in the world and could potentially provide not only about 400 years of energy to South African citizens but could result in trillions of rands profit for those who sold such gas to end users. However, there are indications that fracking could have a huge negative impact on our environment.

France has banned fracking in its jurisdiction as has New York State in the United States. At the end of last month, New York ended a review of the fracking process which took 7 years to complete. The Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens indicated that after extensive research into fracking, the conclusions reached by the investigation were that fracking presented extensive risks to ‘land, air, water and natural resources’ as well as ‘health impacts that cannot be adequately mitigated’.

At the end of June this year, a British charity called Chem Trust released a report which heavily criticises fracking, as the United Kingdom is debating whether it should allow fracking in its jurisdiction. The report highlights that about 38 chemicals used in fracking are extremely toxic for humans and a large percentage of these chemicals it claims are carcinogenic. The report recommends extensive changes to the regulations in the UK to ensure maximum protection of what it sees as a dangerous process. If this is accurate, the risks of Karoo groundwater being contaminated with the chemicals used in the fracking process are large.

Although no exploration licences have been granted to energy companies yet to assess the extent of the shale reserves in the Karoo, it is only a matter of time. The regulations for such exploration were just recently published in the government gazette last month. The Treasure Karoo Action Group has heavily criticised these regulations as being completely inadequate to mitigate against the risks involved in fracking. Even though the extraction of shale gas could ease our energy crisis and provide much needed employment in the Karoo, we have to seriously consider whether fracking is using or abusing the environment. With fracking, are we violating our relationship with the environment which is meant to be reciprocal?

by Grant Tungay SJ

Winter Living Theology began at Schoenstatt Retreat and Training Centre on 14th and finishes on 16th July 2015. Renowned biblical scholar Fr Nicholas King SJ addressed the topic of The Scandal of Christian Disunity – A Biblical Approach. Here are some pictures from the first day.

Read the full text of the Encyclical below the article.

Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, has just been published. Although there is much in it to digest, and too little time since publication to do it justice, I will try to outline its key themes. It will be controversial because it challenges everyone to take climate change and the destruction of the environment seriously. Drawing on the writings of popes from St John XXIII onwards, from Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, from scripture and Catholic Social Thought and framed with the vision of Francis of Assisi, Francis of Rome throws down a challenge to us all. What is at stake is the future of life on earth.

Noting the “consistent scientific consensus” on climate change, the Pope calls for a global change in attitude and practice. Denialism is futile and dangerous. It is dangerous because it plays irresponsibly with future generations, human and nonhuman. It is futile because the counter-arguments are based on research largely sponsored by politicians and corporate interests who have a stake in denying there’s a problem. This is rightly condemned.

Proposals like ‘carbon credits’ are heavily criticised: by trading national carbon emissions between countries that already cause the most pollution and those that (for whatever reason) do not, help no-one. They merely maintain the dangerous status quo, perpetuate unequal social development and undermine the common good of the planet, putting all creation at risk.

Pope Francis also warns against water shortage through inefficient misuse, and makes a strong plea for biodiversity. He warns against the rapid extermination of plant and animal species whose ongoing disappearance threaten the planet’s ecological balance. The demise of any species, however ‘insignificant’, causes a chain reaction in nature. By eliminating one species other species proliferate, which in turn overconsume other plant or animal species. Whether or not it is true that nature abhors a vacuum, it is clear that for the earth to thrive balance between species is essential.

Significantly, the encyclical integrates scientific evidence with a profound development in the theology of creation. In a chapter exploring this, Francis rejects as false a crude human ‘dominion theology’ in favour of one that sees all creation giving glory to God. Theologians may see in it echoes of ecological theologians like Leonardo Boff, who was it is rumoured consulted during its drafting. Like his medieval namesake Francis sees God embracing all life on earth, not just humans. It is thus not surprising that the whole text can be seen as framed by the saint’s beautiful Canticle of Creation.

Highly critical of the technocratic mentality, the Pope calls for a more balanced approach that takes environmental impact seriously. He also sees the importance of global politics in this regard, noting that it shows a crisis in international relations, and calls for a new approach based on global common good.

Laudato Si is one of the most important statements so far from the pontificate of Francis. It demands ongoing reflection and action, not just by the Church but by the whole human species.

Fr Anthony Egan S.J.

For those who wish to read the document, here is a link to the Vatican’s website: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

On 17 June 2015, Archbishop Stephen Brislin was interviewed by Nigel Pierce on Good Hope FM concerning the State of the Nation and the Church’s impact on society. We were fortunate to capture the bulk of the interview in the following two audio clips. For those who missed it, here it is:

The annual Catechetical Metropolitan Meeting was held at Holy Cross Convent in Parow from 1 – 4 June 2015.

It was facilitated by The National Catechetical Co-0rdinator, Sr Patricia Finn FMA, and was attended by the Diocesan Catechetical co-ordinators and their teams.

Represented were participants from:

• Archdiocese of Cape Town
• Diocese of Aliwal North
• Diocese of De Aar
• Diocese of Oudtshoorn
• Diocese of Port Elizabeth
• Diocese of Queenstown

Also at the meeting were the co-ordinators and teams from the Dioceses of Keimoes/Upington and Kokstad.

They attend the Cape Town Meeting rather than their own (Kimberley and Durban) because their pastoral situations are closer to those of the Cape.

Among the issues discussed were:

• A catechetical focus on the encyclicals: Africae Munus and Evangelii Gaudium
• The New Confirmation Programme for Year A
• Catechetical Sunday 2015Here are some pictures of the attending group:
  

  

  

Contemplative Outreach (SA) is affiliated to Contemplative Outreach (USA) and teaches Centering Prayer, a prayer which involves silently resting and waiting upon God in the stillness of our being.

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Attached please see letter regarding early closure of the Chancery offices as from 1 June 2015.

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