Churches called to speak out and act when life-giving water is under threat

Global: WCC Statement on Water for Life

“…indifference towards the vitality of water constitutes both a blasphemy to God the Creator and a crime against humanity”…
The Ninth Assembly of the World Council of Churches, meeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil, 14-23 February, has called on churches and ecumenical partners to work together to preserve and protect water resources against over-consumption and pollution.
In a statement approved today the Assembly described water as “an integral part of the right to life”. The statement on “Water for Life” drew on the demand of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome, that water never be treated as private property and that “indifference towards the vitality of water constitutes both a blasphemy to God the Creator and a crime against humanity”.
The Assembly said “access to freshwater supplies is becoming an urgent matter across the planet. The survival of 1.2 billion people is currently in jeopardy due to lack of adequate water and sanitation.” It said, “Agreements concerning international watercourses and river basins need to be more concrete, setting out measures to enforce treaties made and incorporating detailed conflict resolution mechanisms in case disputes erupt”.
In Canada
Canadian churches have already begun to take up this challenge. Acting in partnership in our ecumencal formation – KAIROS – we have committed to the 2005 – 2006 campaign, Water: Life Before Profit!   
On Wednesday March 22 KAIROS communities across the country will celebrate World Water Day by â┚¬Ã…”Walking for Water!â┚¬? â┚¬” demonstrating for access to clean water for all, now and in future generations. See the KAIROS World Water Day Action Kit. 
PWRDF Annual resources for 2005/6 also focus on Water Enough for All.
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