ECE-Province Symposium in Vierzehnheiligen.

Munich - Jesuits in Central Europe support the commitment of young climate activists and want to strengthen their own commitment to a socio-ecological transformation. At their annual “Province Symposium” in the Bavarian shrine Vierzehnheiligen, 155 Jesuits addressed the climate emergency and the resulting need for a socio-ecological transformation. Vincent Gewert and Lea Bonasera, both active in the climate justice movement, were invited as external speakers. In their presentations, they reported on the current state of the climate crisis. It will probably no longer be possible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. On the contrary, there is currently a danger that we are on the way to a world that is three degrees hotter.

"The climate crisis is an existential crisis that threatens our livelihoods and thus the very possibility of social prosperity. If we do not pull the lever to a post-fossil society immediately, we will certainly exceed the 1.5 degree limit" says Provincial Bernhard Bürgler. Rapid action is necessary, as tipping points in the climate system can already be reached at a global warming of 1.5 degrees. Tipping points are critical thresholds in the Earth system, which, if exceeded, trigger an uncontrollable escalation spiral. The Provincial emphasises that the climate issue is also a question of global justice. For those who have contributed least to the climate crisis are affected first and most severely. Many people in the Global South have already been feeling the effects of global warming for decades. By 2030, the economic cost of the climate crisis in countries of the Global South could be 580 billion annually. "The role of the Church is to support the poor and oppressed of the world, as well as to work for the protection of livelihoods and the common good. This is where we Jesuits in the rich Global North have a duty and this is how Jesuits from the Global South take it to us," said the Provincial.

There is growing social resistance to further investments in fossil energy and infrastructure. Against this background, the Jesuit meeting also dealt with the current protests by citizens of the "Last Generation" such as Lea Bonasera, who are using blockades to demand an end to the financing of new fossil infrastructure at home and abroad. In this context, 11 people were arrested again this week and their police detention was extended by up to six days.

Jesuit Jörg Alt sees the necessity of such actions. He himself took part in the “EssenRettenLebenRetten” action of the "Last Generation" and is currently awaiting his criminal trial for particularly serious theft. "There may be times when non-violent civil disobedience or civil resistance is necessary to make a preoccupation with urgent issues unmissable and unignorable. Locking up protesters in rows without addressing their well-founded and urgent concerns cannot be a solution. As soon as this happens, and the activists assure us of this, the blockades and disturbances will come to an end," said Jörg Alt.

At its annual meeting, the ECE-province also reaffirmed its intention to strengthen its own commitment. Part of this substantive orientation is the founding of the Social-Ecological Centre in Nuremberg.