The Most Reverend and Right Honorable George Carey, archbishop of Canterbury, and Mrs. Eileen Carey were honorary hosts at last weekend’s annual “Friends at The Swag Weekend” fundraiser for the Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The archbishop and his wife are close personal friends of The Reverend Dan Matthews and Mrs. Deener Matthews, owners of The Swag.

The archbishop said this was his third visit to The Swag. Previous visits were in 1994 and 1998. Carey said he was asked in 1998 if he would consider supporting the work of the FOS.

“I said yes because I am very concerned about the environment. You’ve got to protect your most wonderful mountains,” the archbishop said.

“I feel very strongly this is God’s creation and we must care for it. This has been a neglected idea among many Christians for many years.

“I think some people blame the Christian faith for having a world view of mankind as dominating nature and exploiting it. I don’t agree. If we paid more attention to the teaching of the Bible about tilling the earth caringly as a steward of the earth, we may have avoided some of the pollution problems we have.”
The archbishop said there are many Christians directly involved in protecting the environment and, “I want to encourage the church to get more involved in ecological matters.”

Upon his return to England in a couple of weeks, Carey will convene an annual House of Bishops meeting.

“Every year we discuss a theme. The theme this year will be environmental and ecological concerns and what the church can do, what kind of lifestyle we should employ if we are really serious about the environment.”

Carey said that nature gives the appearance of abundance, but in reality is a fragile ecosystem.
The archbishop enjoyed his trip to Cattaloochee Valley, “I am so glad the park has preserved that character - that life - and the buildings.

“I was delighted to meet Chief Leon [Leon Jones, principle chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.] The very fact he is on the board [of FOS] is significant. It brings an Indian perspective.”
Carey said he always feels at home at The Swag.

“This is a very special place. One of the most beautiful parks in the world. We love coming here and communing with nature,” said the archbishop. “There is a definite Christian ethos to this place, no doubt. Not intrusive though. All are welcomed here.”

 

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The Smoky Mountain News