There is “a real connection, a deep relationship” between the environmental crisis and the current economic crisis, according to the President of the Mater Dei Institute of Education.
Dr Dermot Lane was speaking at Eco-Congregation Ireland’s ecumenical prayer service for the UN climate summit that was held in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, Balally, Dublin on 1st December.
“Until we recover some of the spirit of the pre-Enlightenment economy, rooted in nature and anchored in the earth, unless we can get in touch with the wisdom inherent in the rhythm of creation, it is unlikely that the current economic crisis will be resolved,” said Lane.
He said we needed to realise that the current economic crisis was largely the outcome of a market-driven capitalism which had “little regard for the rhythm of nature, unaware of the limited resources of the earth, unmindful of 
the integrity of creation”.
It could no longer be “business as usual with a little tinkering around the edges”. Instead, there must be a radical restructuring of international economic systems – a restructuring that must include reference to the
primary economy of the earth’s eco systems and natural resources.
“The reason why structural reform of the modern economies is so necessary is because market-driven capitalism is premised on the principle of growth, of unlimited growth, 
and we know as environmentalists that there are limits to growth, and there are limits to growth because there are limits to the resources of the earth,” he said.
The theme of the service – ‘Discerning the Holy Spirit in the life of Creation’ – was chosen “out of a deep conviction that we will never save the planet, that we will never heal our broken world, unless and until we connect with the Spirit of God given in creation and revealed in Christ. It is largely the neglect of the Spirit, the removal of the Holy Spirit from life, the evacuation of the Spirit out of creation that has taken place over the years, that has landed us in the current environmental crisis.”
Lane said that, rather than an anthropocentric worldview, or even a bio-centric one, what was needed was “a theocentric universe” and “a rediscovering of the Spirit of God as the source of life, as the dynamism driving the evolution of life, and as the power holding everything together and sustaining life on earth.”
The service was organised by Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI), Balally Environment Group and Three Rock Churches’ Environment Group (TRCEG). TRCEG is an ECI initiative that sees seven churches working together on environmental issues in South Dublin.
“Now, more than ever, it is essential to act and pray to prevent runaway climate change,” says ECI chairperson, Catherine Brennan SSL. “Our abundant and beautiful planet, God’s creation, is in peril today from climate change. This wounded earth, the peoples of the developing world and future generations are most at risk.
“We need to reflect on the need to live in more sustainable ways and for a renewed theology of creation. We earnestly pray, too, for wisdom, courage and compassion for our world leaders as they meet for the crucial summit in Durban.”
Environmentalist Gavin Harte gave a reflection on climate change and music was provided by harpist, Rev Anne-Marie O’Farrell, and the choir of Wesley College Dublin, RTE All Island School Choir of the Year 2011.
Following the service, worshippers signed a letter to Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, urging him to act in the interests of the world’s poor and the earth when he represents Ireland at the UN climate summit.
“Until we recover some of the spirit of the pre-Enlightenment economy, rooted in nature and anchored in the earth, unless we can get in touch with the wisdom inherent in the rhythm of creation, it is unlikely that the current economic crisis will be resolved,” said Lane.
He said we needed to realise that the current economic crisis was largely the outcome of a market-driven capitalism which had “little regard for the rhythm of nature, unaware of the limited resources of the earth, unmindful of 
the integrity of creation”.
primary economy of the earth’s eco systems and natural resources.
and we know as environmentalists that there are limits to growth, and there are limits to growth because there are limits to the resources of the earth,” he said.