by Maria Balata
FAN Summer Intern

“When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a large burning mountain was hurled into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were wrecked.” 

~ Revelation 8: 8-9

The recent disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has presented us Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted persons with a very intricate problem. As the June 9th hearing on Capitol Hill illustrated, the issue at hand is much more than an environmental problem. This disaster represents a multi-faceted tragedy for our economic well-being and sustainability, in addition to the ever-present ecological concerns.

Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, testified before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on the status of the current situation. Before the signs of angry protestors that read “eco-terrorist,” Salazar spoke of a six month moratorium suggested by the administration on all new permits for offshore drilling and the current 33 wells present in the Gulf area. Salazar explained that the purpose of the temporary moratorium was to give the government sufficient time to evaluate the problem, initiate efficient clean-up operations, assess what went wrong, in order to prevent similar events in the future, and assure that all other wells meet current safety standards.

While this approach may seem greatly needed from an environmental perspective, Senators from various parts of the country have articulated concerns on behalf of their constituents, many of whom are dependent on the oil industry for their livelihoods. Senator Mary Landrieu from Louisiana voiced her deep reservations with the moratorium, explaining that those dependent on the Gulf waters for their livelihoods have already suffered tremendously and the additional burden of the moratorium would exacerbate the already difficult conditions for the 300,000 people in Louisiana’s oil industry.

The Franciscan tradition speaks to the complexity of these issues. Our tradition calls us both to care for creation and to rectify the social injustices of our world. Like Francis at the foot of the cross, we are called by our Creator to rebuild God’s house. To embark full-heartedly on this mission, we must consider all of the issues at hand. Protecting our planet is important, but assuring that all our brothers and sisters are cared for is also an imminent concern. We must embrace both dimensions of this issue in order to advance in a way that is worthy of service to the One who calls us.

Since the senate hearing on the safety of offshore oil operations took place, Americans have continued to grapple with the issue. The Department of the Interior has issued the moratorium, which since then has been overruled by a Louisiana judge, and will be appealed by the federal government.  BP has agreed to pay $20 billion in damages with an additional $100 million to start a fund for workers who have become unemployed in Gulf states. Prayer services have been held and continue to be held in hope of intervention. Environmentalists have flooded the Hill begging for change. Scientists and engineers have joined forces, while volunteers rushed to the Gulf to lend helping hands.  And all along, committees have gathered to discuss this complex issue that has aroused so many. While these actions are noble and necessary, they are hardly sufficient.

President Obama’s statement on June 15th regarding the oil spill reiterated many of the same concerns. He assured the American public that the government is working around the clock with experts to find a solution to the problem. He stated that BP will be held accountable for the damage they have inflicted on the environment and the Gulf coast communities. He assured that no victim of this disaster will go unnoticed and uncompensated for the damages they endure. Obama encouraged the scientific community to explore, now more than ever, alternative energy sources. However, our president seems to have forgotten the role that the American people have played in this disaster and, most importantly, he seems to have forgotten the strength and the goodwill of the American public.

While the errors of many have brought us to this point, most notably, BP and the MMS, we cannot overlook our own role in this equation. Our ever-growing demand for oil and exuberant carelessness with our natural resources accounts for BP’s presence and perhaps mistake. The current moratorium on offshore drilling has the potential to decrease our supply of oil and yet many of us have done very little to alter our lifestyles and our dependency on oil. Perhaps President Obama could have made a plea to the American people to be more conscientious of our gas consumption. Perhaps we can take it upon ourselves to carpool when possible or find some other way to do our part to alleviate the demand for oil. However one chooses to contribute to relief efforts, one thing is certain: we are far more likely to find a solution if we join BP and the government in their efforts, rather than demonize those whom we feel have erred.

After all, is this not the message that Francis preached? Our tradition holds that the true fruits of penance lie in the restored relationships that flow from true reconciliation.  Reconciliation is always our goal because it leads to the harmony and peace of which Francis spoke. As Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted people, we can neither accept nor neglect the effects of the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Likewise, we cannot ignore our Creator’s call to respond to the needs of our world.  This is our opportunity to rise to the challenge before us and reconcile our lives with the realities that we face. Our resources are limited. Our earth is a precious gift. Our brothers and sisters in the Gulf states need our help. Now is the time to embrace the call to action.