He was referring to the the Pope's encyclical Laudato Si'.

"Thank God Catholics are free to disagree with this personal position of the Pope."

Hartwich questions whether the pope "actually understands what he is writing about."

The pope's discussion of 'relativism', relating to the potential for people to treat one another as objects, Hartwich says is confused.

"Some of his observations are so far off the mark that they would be offensive if one took them seriously," he said, referring particularly a passage in which Hartwich says the Pope equates "economists favouring markets" with "child molesters."

"This leads him to claim that this 'kind of thinking leads to the sexual exploitation of children and abandonment of the elderly who no longer serve our interests."

"It is also the mindset of those who say: 'Let us allow the invisible forces of the market to regulate the economy, and consider their impact on society and nature as collateral damage'."

"With all due respect, this is utter, offensive nonsense. Economists favouring markets do not share the same level of morality as child molesters." Hartwich said.

New Zealand Initiative has recently called for a shake-up of the New Zealand charities sector.

It also recommended to the New Zealand government that private investors be given the opportunity to invest in and make money from the provision of social services (social impact bonds)

Source

• oliverhartwich.com
• Image: nbr.co.nz

He was speaking at Pacific Conference of Churches Assembly. More than 200 delegates representing 34 churches and organizations are in Honiara for the week-long event.

Addressing the Assembly on Sunday Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister, Mannaseh Maelanga, also spoke about the important role for the Churches in address the issues of poverty, climate change and mining.

"These issues affect our people and we - governments and churches - must work together in these areas," Maelanga said.

On Saturday young Christian leaders made a similar call urging churches to take strong positions on the eradication of poverty and the protection of the environment.

Youth delegates from Maohi Nui (Tahiti) have asked young people at the assembly to join their quest to ensure that France does not conduct further nuclear tests in the region.

"What has happened in our islands with nuclear testing must never be allowed to happen again," Maohi Nui representative told delegates.

Source

• Island Business
• Image: PCC.org.fj

We were led through LAMENT on Friday night, with reference to Job and the need for repentance for the ecological crisis we are facing. Emeritus Bishop Peter Cullinane then spoke movingly of our connection to nature and all life, which we unthinkingly plunder.

HOPE was the theme of the talks on Saturday morning, beginning with a thoughtful presentation on Christ and creation by Selwyn Yeoman, a Presbyterian minister from Dunedin. He has long been absorbed in our connection to and domination of nature, careless of the Master Builder who gave us our world.

In the afternoon there were a variety of workshops offered - on money, community gardens, sustainable energy without hot air, alternatives to the private motor car, what would Jesus mine? And other intriguing subjects, presented by those who were committed and spoke with authority. The discussions were wide-ranging and thought- provoking.

The evening was devoted to a plenary on sustaining hope, followed by a full discussion on what we would take away with us for our own lives. The moment of truth for us.

We concluded the evening with music and worship, which had punctuated the whole conference, reminding us that we are God's children, gifted with so much.

ACTION came into its own on Sunday, after our sharing in celebrating with St John's community worship.

There were ‘hands on' projects in the afternoon for the active. The conference was a nice balance of informed discussion and action, following St Ignatius of Loyola, who wants us to be ‘contemplatives in action.'

I was impressed with the calibre and dedication of those who brought us together, and those who attended. Our meals were provided by a team from Urban Vision, the young Christian community working with those most in need in our city and other places. Their founder, Justin Duckworth, has recently been elected as the Anglican Bishop of Wellington, in a courageous break with tradition. Christ is truly working through His people.

There are many avenues for us to follow from this conference. One I discovered was the way the transition towns' movement has influenced Christian communities in the Hutt valley, to combine their efforts to heal our past mistakes in practical ways, such as the massive restoration of the Waiwhetu stream and regularly cleaning up the foreshore. Can we energise our church communities to take up this challenge in the Wellington area? There may even be the bonus of taking our minds off current preoccupations with earthquake-prone buildings and falling congregations!

Truly signs of the times, if only I take the time to notice - and act - on them.

Tricia Kane

• Tricia Kane is a former librarian and a grandmother.