(CNS photo)
Posted on 05/22/2017 7:28:14 PM PDT by ebb tide
President Michael D Higgins presented Pope Francis with a commissioned sculpture to signify a 'call to action' on climate change
The Irish President presented Pope Francis with an unusual gift to symbolise a “call to action on climate change”, following a private meeting this morning.
President Michael D Higgins offered a gold and white “climate bell”, designed by Irish artist and sculptor Vivienne Roche after he met with the Pope at the Apostolic Palace earlier today.
According to a report in the Irish Times, a spokesperson for the president’s office said that ecology and the global threat of climate change are important issues for both leaders.
“The president and Pope Francis spoke of their shared conviction that new connections between ethics, economy and ecology must be at the core of all work of social and intellectual reconstruction in this new century,” a spokesperson told the Irish Times.
“They also agreed that there can be no resolution to the issues we face without an engaged alternative to what the Pope has referred to as ‘the globalisation of indifference.'”
In its statement released after the meeting, the Vatican said the two leaders discussed “several themes of mutual interest, such as the protection of the rights of humanity and its dignity in every stage and condition of life, the issue of migration and the welcome of refugees, safeguarding the environment and sustainable development.”
“Special attention was paid to the young and families. The importance of ethical criteria in facing the challenges of globalisation, especially at economic level, was then highlighted,” the Vatican said.
After meeting with the Pope, Higgins met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, secretary for relations with states.
He also met with Irish clergy and lay staff working at the Vatican at a reception held at the Irish College in Rome where he offered praise for the Pope.
Pope Francis has been “a compelling voice tirelessly awakening us to the web of interdependencies that weaves humanity together,” the president said.
Oy veh.
About as stupid as the nuclear doomsday clock.
I never experienced a sunburn in Ireland.
Wind and rain, sure.
Difficult days for this Irish Catholic...
A bell for a ding dong, how appropriate.
Ding-a-lings
Perhaps raising consciousness of competant methods of gathering and analyzing data, proper statistical analysis, and physics would do better.
None of which appears to be a talent of politicians or the Pope.
He can put it on his shelf next to his hammer and sickle crucifix.
Always after me lucky charms, sure and begorrah.
I hear ya.
As an Irish Catholic I’m twice embarrassed.
The hammer and sickle cross is probably nailed on the wall, immediately above his bed.
And he’ll probably ring his global warning bell at the opening of his upcoming “surprise” consistory on June 28.
my entire family emigrated from Ireland, so it pains me to write this. Modern Ireland is a disgrace. my mother long gone would think Ireland morphed into a Soviet satellite. Rejection of organized religion, support of abortion and same sex nonsense and all the contingent evil that embellishes that path has ruined a once respected country.
that the Irish do not recognize the shame they have assumed is their tragedy.
that we have to endure it is ours.
Two losers, ringing each others’ bells...
Almost as dumb as giving the Russians an overcharge button. You idiots wont be hearing bells. You will be hearing trumpets.
To this day that images remains with me it similar to in my mind to a pentagram around the neck Francis is a heretic
Yep, i used to be proud of my Irish heritage but now almost ashamed to even mention it.
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