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'Green Patriarch' honored for his environmental work
2002-120-4
5/14/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I of Constantinople, spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians, has been honored by a Norwegian foundation for his work on environmental issues.
The patriarch received the Sophie Prize in recognition of his 'pioneering efforts in linking faith to the environment,' said the announcement from the Sophie Foundation. Bartholomeos, who became patriarch in 1991, has been called 'the green patriarch' because of his environmental concerns.
The foundation's announcement said that the patriarch 'has spoken out against injustice and inequity, challenging the present economic globalization that widens the gap between rich and poor and leads to excessive consumption.'
The prize, which carries a stipend of $100,000, was established in 1997 by Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder, author of the best-selling novel, 'Sophie's World.' It is awarded annually to an individual or group that has promoted alternatives to prevailing models of development.
'The name sophie means wisdom. Although we knew nothing about the patriarch before the nomination, the more we learned the more certain we became that he was the right recipient,' said Anette Langtvet, director of the foundation. She said that she hoped the honor would encourage other church leaders to 'make environmental concern part of their faith.'
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