Ecumenical Requiem for Glacier
The churches want to bless the Zugspitze glacier in an ecumenical prayer.
According to the organisers, this is to draw attention to the concrete consequences of global warming.
Researchers will take part in the prayer and explain the situation of the glacier.
The churches in Garmisch-Partenkirchen are planning an ecumenical "Requiem for the Zugspitze Glacier" on 25 July. Accompanying the dying is a core task of the church, Pastor Uli Wilhelm told the Protestant Press Service. "And the glacier on the Zugspitze is undoubtedly one such."
To draw attention to the concrete consequences of global warming, she said, the glacier would be blessed after a prayer service. In addition to the teams from the local churches, scientists from the "Schneefernerhaus" environmental research station are also involved, he said. At 2,962 metres above sea level, the Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain.
Status as glacier lost
The southern Schneeferner (the name of the glacier) on the Zugspitzplatt has shrunk so much due to the record summers of recent years that it has already lost its status as a "glacier", he said. "A glacier grows back from above, it transports the ice down and thaws there," Wilhelm explained.
All this is no longer the case with the southern glacier. The northern Schneeferner will also soon no longer be a glacier. "Scientists stress that humanity has long had the know-how to limit climate change - we pray that it will now decide to finally do so," Wilhelm said.
Classification by researchers
The Requiem for the Zugspitze Glacier begins on Tuesday, 25 July, at 12 noon with a prayer service in the Chapel of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary on the Zugspitzplatt (near Sonnalpin). Afterwards, the congregation will go to the remains of the Schneeferner. Scientists will provide information about the situation on the glacier before it is blessed.
Cathcon: Beyond parody. The Church has given up praying for the dead, yet they are more than happy to pray for melting glaciers.
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