By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer

Catholics in two southern Swiss Alpine communities are seeking approval from Pope Benedict XVI to be released from a centuries-old vow to God to lead virtuous lives in exchange for protection from an advancing glacier that is now melting.

According to a report by The Australian, in 1678, the inhabitants of the Swiss villages of Fieschertal and Fiesch made a formal vow to live virtuously and to pray against the growth of the Aletsch glacier, Europe’s longest, which threatened to destroy their homes. 

God chose to answer these prayers and the glacier is now retreating so quickly villagers are becoming alarmed. The Great Aletsch Glacier which covers more than 45 square miles, has shrunk by more than 12 percent over the past few decades which many say is one of the world’s most visible examples of the impact of global warming on the Alps.

“A lot of ice has melted,” said parish priest Fr. Pascal Venetz to the Swiss news agency SDA.

Father Venetz is seeking the approval of Pope Benedict for the change on behalf of his parishioners and an audience for the local bishop is reportedly being arranged in Rome.

“The residents of Fiesch and Fischertal hope that this will happen in September or October and are optimistic that the Holy Father will decide in their favor as he has repeatedly spoken out about climate change,” they said in a statement.

The faithful are hoping the Pope will allow them to pray against the global warming they believe is causing the glacier to melt.

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