Head of Phanar: Deaths from global warming will eclipse those from COVID

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: Facebook of the Phanar

On December 12, 2023, the World Conference on Refugees and Migrants took place in Geneva, according to Orthodoxtimes.

In the chapel of the Ecumenical Center, religious leaders and representatives of the UN Refugee Agency prayed at an interreligious ceremony titled "This is My Story, this is My History." Prayers of various traditions were uttered, including Buddhist, Jewish, Baha'i, Muslim, Hindu, and Christian.

In his speech, Patriarch Bartholomew recalled the pandemic and warned the audience about the dangers of climate change.

"The growing but neglected toll from rising global temperatures will undoubtedly and undeniably eclipse the current number of deaths from all the infectious diseases combined if climate change is not constrained," warned the head of the Phanar.

According to him, "climate change primarily constitutes a spiritual and ethical issue." The Patriarch is confident that "we must accept sinfulness towards the planet and other people."

"Let us imagine a world where peace and justice prevail, where violence and discrimination are dispelled, where human rights and human dignity are effectively protected. And let us open our hearts to solidarity with refugees," suggested the head of the Phanar to those present.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the head of the Phanar warned against a new ecumenism around traditionalistic values.

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