Church leaders condemn logging

Issue 

By Lisa Macdonald In an unprecedented coalition, 20 leaders of the Anglican, Uniting and Catholic churches sent a letter on October 22 calling on the Labor Party and the Coalition to end logging of Australia's old growth forests. The open letter states that to continue to log old growth forests, "for whatever purpose", is "ethically and even morally wrong.". Calling on the major parties "to stop logging of old growth forests on both private but especially public land", the letter concludes, "There is simply no economic justification for this to continue in the face of our ethical obligations to protect the natural world". "God was the first genuine greenie" said Father Brian Gore in a media statement released by the coalition. "When the creator looked at the creation the conclusion was 'it is good'. It is up to us to protect not destroy this gift", Gore said. The churches' letter also expresses concern for the communities involved in logging and calls on governments and industry to provide retraining and restructuring for workers in the plantation timber industry.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.