Eden and Mountaintop Removal Mining

In Old Testament on Tuesday, we talked about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Dr. Bucur emphasized that these first few chapters of Genesis are a liturgical text, and connected them with the temple worship in later books of the Old Testament; The Garden of Eden is the place where God dwells; the Temple. Adam and Eve are the Levites, or priests; they tend the garden, following the Order God has set out. Thus, their dominion is not one of exploitation of “natural resources” for human gain; it is one of responsibility and loving care; an act of worship, of following God's precincts.

Thursday evening, Sheila and I arrive for the Army Corps of Engineers hearing in Pittsburgh an hour early. The Corps is soliciting input regarding the suspension of permits to coal companies which presently allow them to dump solid waste from Mountaintop Removal (MTR) mine sites into waterways. We know we're at the right convention center when we spot a line of people dressed in casual, baggy clothing of subdued colors. Hippies. When we get inside, security checks our bags and wands us. It's getting crowded. They have seating for 400 people, one of the guards tells me. It looks like there are about 300 people. Most of them are wearing teal shirts that say “Coal=Job+Energy” and “FORCE: Families for PA Coal”.

It becomes clear that, as clothing has indicated, there are two distinct sides represented tonight. Each frames the issue at hand differently. The people in the teal shirts are CEOs of coal mines, miners, and family and friends of miners. They are against suspending the permits; it would mean increased operating costs for mines, which they argue would lead to the closing of mines, and thousands of jobs lost. One speaker illustrates his point by citing the loss of 6,500 mine jobs in Kentucky as a result of new regulations for the coal industry. The mismatched hippies counter that any reduction in coal production would easily be replaced with renewable energy. Many of them traveled from West Virginia to voice their support for this proposed suspension of dumping permits. They tell stories of friends and communities that are effected by MTR's impact on water quality: how toxic metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury from sludge dams on MTR sites leech into water tables, polluting drinking water and causing toxic metal poisoning and other health complications. They speak of streams they used to fish in, which can no longer support wildlife. An ecologist spoke of the Myth of Reclamation. Mycorrhizae, the microscopic fungi found in top soil, which delivers nutrients to plant roots, dies when top soil is piled up, for instance during the process of surface-mining coal. Thus, even when the original top soil is replaced at a mine site and seeded, it can no longer support the indigenous plants and original ecosystem, as the mycorrhizae are gone.

More philosophical issues connected to Mountaintop Removal Mining in particular and environmental degradation in general were raised. Why do we “soil our nest”, ruining our home and the natural habitat of so many species that also call Appalachia home? What about our grandchildren? What kind of natural environment will they enjoy? This reminded me of Tuesday's class. Are we being good stewards of God's creation? Or do we weigh other concerns, like our thirst for cheap energy and the availability of high-paying jobs, as more important? Adam and Eve were evicted from Eden for eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Now that humanity has that knowledge, will we use it to serve God and care for His creation?

Catholic Responsibilities: Charity and Justice!

The Church’s shift in its approach to social action is, on the whole, a good thing. While the model of charity is a vital aspect of justice, alone it offers little other than “band aids” on problems that are often large and systemic. The problem I see with the model of social justice is that the issues are so large and so diverse that it is practically impossible for a single individual, group or organization to even comprehend let alone solve. It is so easy to be overwhelmed. This fact alone is often enough to turn people away from the entire notion of social justice. People may ask themselves, “How am I even making a dent in the problem? How are my actions really helping anyone?” Charity cannot be abandoned for two reasons: it is necessary in order for the materially poor to survive in the short term, and it gives people a sense of control over situations that are otherwise beyond anyone’s ability to affect personally.

The greatest strength of social justice and the Church’s dedication to systemic change is the fact that all people – regardless of their “day job” – are called to action. In particular, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable requires that each person make decisions based on how those decisions affect “the least.” How empowering for lay people! The choices one is forced to make are rarely easy. Nevertheless, the notion of joining forces with each other and changing hearts toward God’s kingdom on earth is rousing. We can make a difference!

Dangers do exist, however. I have learned from personal experience that it is sometimes difficult to convince people that Option for the Poor and Vulnerable is a necessary consideration. Many fail to see how their decisions can make any impact on the bigger picture. It is easy to give in to feelings of insignificance. Losing (or never having) sight of our role in God’s hope for the world is a difficult trap to escape. I believe that this is the reason why many people prefer works of charity to acts of justice.

The other side of the coin is that issues are often so convoluted that a just course of action does not seem to exist. My decision to boycott Wal-Mart illustrates this point: I made this choice years ago because of Wal-Mart’s abuses both abroad and domestically (ie. sweat shops and denying health insurance to employees). In discussions with Beth Longo, however, I learned that employment at Wal-Mart has made a positive difference in people’s lives in West Virginia – people were able to climb slowly out of poverty because of Wal-Mart’s job opportunities. Now I am thrown into doubt. Should I support my fellow West Virginians who need Wal-Mart in order to feed their families? Or should I continue to stand in solidarity with the citizens of third world countries who are negatively affected by Wal-Mart’s business practices?

Even though I struggle with the question of what social justice means for me, it has nonetheless become an important part of my life. Charity in the traditional sense is difficult for me at this time in my life because of my own economic issues, but I firmly believe that it is also a vital part of the Christian call to serve. Both social justice and charity need to work in tandem – one is ineffective without the other.

The Students Formerly Known as TIMELY

Hello, and welcome to our blog!

We are Masters students in Duquesne University's Pastoral Ministry program, sponsored by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. We come from many walks of life, but we all have two things in common: (1) we are Catholics from West Virginia and (2) we are passionate about our ministry. Some of us work in religious education, some with the R.C.I.A. Some of us volunteer at our respective parishes.

This blog is here so that we can share our faith with the people of our diocese. As we learn and apply our knowledge to our ministries, we'll be posting projects or helpful tips. You'll find things like reflections on the role of parish ministry in our lives, as well as resources that we have either written or found useful. Join us on our journey of faith!

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