Greener Papal Message
28.09.2009
The environmental aspects of Pope Benedict's encyclical 'Caritas in Veritate.
Concern for the environment has swiftly risen on the papal agenda. We note how ecological themes are emerging in many of Pope Benedict XVI's major speeches. His message is clear – the Catholic Church has a part to play in the environmental debates across the world. There are signals for us about the need for environmental awareness at every level.
The challenge for Catholics is to identify and appreciate the various nuances which distinguish certain church approaches. The responses familiar to us are in secular environmental movements where a growing collaboration between global politicians, scientists and economists set the pace.
Over recent decades Catholic social teaching on human rights and justice has been encouraging, but with little concern for an impact on the planet. A deep respect for nature was accompanied by an ambivalent attitude towards ecology and the pressures put on Earth by humans. The concentration was on ethical teachings and respect for natural and moral structures.
In the earlier language of Pope John Paul II the church must safeguard the moral conditions for an authentic 'human ecology.' The way humanity treats the environment will influence the way it treats itself. Our duties towards the environment are linked to our duties towards the human person. It would be wrong to uphold one set of duties while trampling on the other.
From a Church perspective, environmental harm was a social and spiritual issue that affects the way people relate to other people and to creation. Theologians only deliberated the human and moral issues at the heart of the environmental crises. They engaged the gravity of the ecological situation by highlighting the deep human moral crises which challenges people of faith.
However, Pope Benedict XVI now suggests we intensify co-operation around the human-caused problems which are inherently social in nature. As Church, we must not only defend the human person against its own destruction but also defend earth, water and air as gifts of creation that belong to all.
What is new? There is evidence of more listening to the language of creation in resolving a tension that exists between humanity's responsibility to care for God's creation and the human tendency to exploit and consume resources. There is more questioning how people of faith engage a 'social ecology.' There are more serious reviews of lifestyles and consumerism.
As we follow the Papal reflections, a challenging green message is emerging for Catholics in the pews.
It involves a deepening respect for the common good, for integral human development and deep concern for those most at risk. A striking environmental impact will come not only from installing solar panels in the Vatican.
A broad effective shift in mentality is demanded from the world's Catholics to confront the social structures that hinder a balance and a hope for life on Earth. The ongoing task is 'ecological conversion.'
Fr Michael Gormly, Justice Peace and Development Commission, Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington, New Zealand.
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