Margaret and Pat informed us of the undertakings of the International Ecological Conference, sponsored by Dominican Sisters International, at Genesis Farm, June 8-20th, 2006. Among those attending this meeting were members of the Dominican Family from the bioregions of Asia /Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean, South Africa and North America. They gathered to study and reflect on the question: What is Earth asking of the Order?

Thought and reactions were voiced along with a Native American prayer service ending with offerings of our gifts from the earth and a Chinook Blessing litany.

A decorative basket of Fair Trade products was donated by Ann Eigenbauer, OP from the Center Gift Shop in Sparkill and won by Cecilia Burns, (Blauvelt)

The international representatives from each of these bioregions shared moving and poignant stories of the ecological destruction taking place in their part of the world that is affecting the people and the land. They did this through the lens of a New Cosmology based on the story of the unfolding Universe. A result of listening to these experiences was recognition that the major spiritual and ecological crisis afflicting the planet in every part of the world is rooted in a perception that humans are separate from and dominant over all of creation.

Points made at the meeting:

Recognizing that the Dominican family is embedded in various cultures and pluralistic societies we urge the Dominican family and ourselves to:

• explore the contemporary scientific understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe, Earth, life and human consciousness and develop the skills to communicate it effectively so we can be effective preachers
  
• invite the theologians of the Dominican Family to explore and reflect on the origins and evolution of human consciousness
  
• recognize our dependency on corporate, industrial food systems and when possible to withdraw from these systems and to foster sustainable agriculture and healthy eating habits
• examine in depth our dependency on fossil fuel
  
• become aware of the role corporations play in the devastation of the planet in all parts of the world
  
• act to support Fair Trade products
  
• recognize the critical need to preserve land for future generations of Earth community and examine seriously a tendency to sell properties that we have held in common because of the diminishment of our resources and the aging of our memberships in some parts of the world
  
• recommit ourselves to our contemplative stance and living simply, so that all species may have a home

We stand in awe before the Mystery and beauty of existence. We believe this is a graced moment and that we have the capacity to transform ourselves and our cultures. These possibilities open us to a future of hope.

Joan Smith, OP (Blauvelt)