Almost 200 delegates from around the world took part in the Sixth International Congress of the European Society for Catholic Theology, which was held in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, in August. The theme was The Eager Longing of Creation – Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Ecology and Economy.
The theologians decided to put across their message about care for creation by actions as well words. For the first time at a theological conference in Ireland, the total carbon footprint of the event was calculated. It was estimated to be 56.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
To counteract the potentially destructive impact of this carbon footprint on the environment a tree will be planted in every university across the world which was represented at the conference. A total of 72 trees will be planted in all.
Those attending the event also made a donation to the Trócaire irrigation scheme in the Manchanga District of Mozambique. 30,000 eucalyptus and casuarinas trees will be planted. These practical steps are being taken in order to ensure that the conference is carbon-neutral.
Keynote speakers included Prof Lieven Boeve, ESCT President and Professor of Theology, KU Leuven, Belgium (paper title – Theology at the Crossroads of Academia, Church and Society) and Prof Sean Freyne, Professor Emeritus of Theology, Trinity College Dublin, who addressed the topic Genesis and Apocalypse: Reflections on Theology.