Ecumenicalgathering2012
Ecumenical Gathering in New Mexico
Good News is meant to be shared! The spirit of Christian ecumenism was tangibly in the air as members of many churches gathered in worship and celebration at the New Mexico Conference of Churches Statewide Gathering, October 29, 2011, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Albuquerque.
In his keynote presentation, Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, addressed challenges churches face when dealing with divisive issues, such as sexuality and immigration. “Churches,” he said, “are reluctant to bring up controversial issues for discussion for fear of creating divisions. This is based on a false ecclesiology which assumes that unity is based on agreement. Church communities are where we must bring our deepest sources of conflict to learn from each other. This will enable us to be what we are in Christ.”
With refreshing honesty, Rev. Kinnamon asked, “How do we support one another as churches so that we may be countercultural in our times? What gifts do you have to bring from your tradition that will build up the body of Christ?” He also spoke of the Occupy movement; how they are professing Gospel values in their message, but do not want to be identified with any institutional church.
Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, retiring as bishop of Las Cruces Diocese, NM, was honored at the Turquoise Chalice Luncheon.
It was inspiring and heartening to hear Christian pastors laud Bishop Ramirez for his active promotion of ecumenical relations and collaboration during the years of his pastoral ministry. His faithful Gospel witness and implementation of Vatican II were evident in appreciative recognition.
A selection of workshops were offered participants in the afternoon session. I co-presented a workshop with Don Hancock, from Southwest Research and Information Center, on “The Nuclear Cycle in the Southwest: and what we can do about it.” Don is Director of the Nuclear Waste Program at SRIC, and has worked on nuclear waste issues, including the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) at SRIC since 1976, as well as radioactive contamination issues at Los Alamos National Lab.
My contribution was sharing the toxic legacy of past uranium mining in New Mexico, inadequate remediation of abandoned uranium mine and mill sites that continue to impact human health and the environment, as well as threats from new proposed uranium mining projects that will contaminate a sole source drinking water aquifer on Navajo land, as well as Mt. Taylor in the Cibola National Forest. Ways to respond and defend the sacred natural heritage, water, air, land, wildlife, meant for the life of all were presented and discussed with concerned participants.
Sr. Rose Marie Cecchini, MM