The Papal encyclical on climate change is a truly worthwhile read says one who has barely scratched the surface. Amid all the other demands of life, this compelling of science, philosophy, morality, and religion requires greater attention than I can give it today. Part of the intrusion, twitter notices. Honestly, I doubt that I ever thought that the Papal twitter account would catch my attention. Today has changed that:
-
Every creature is the object of the Father’s tenderness, who gives it its place in the world.
-
“Creation” has a broader meaning than “nature”; it has to do with God’s loving plan.
#LaudatoSi -
Each community has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations.
-
The present world system is certainly unsustainable from a number of points of view.
#LaudatoSi -
We need only to take a frank look at the facts to see that our common home is falling into serious disrepair.
#LaudatoSi -
Whatever is fragile, like the environment, is defenceless before the interests of a deified market.
-
The alliance between economy and technology ends up sidelining anything unrelated to its immediate interests.
-
Economic interests easily end up trumping the common good.
-
There is no room for the globalization of indifference.
#LaudatoSi -
Developed countries ought to help pay this debt by limiting their consumption of nonrenewable energy.
-
A true “ecological debt” exists, particularly between the global north and south.
-
To blame population growth, and not an extreme consumerism on the part of some, is one way of refusing to face the issues.
-
We have to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.
#LaudatoSi -
The deterioration of the environment and of society affect the most vulnerable people on the planet.
-
The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together.
-
One particularly serious problem is the quality of water available to the poor.
#LaudatoSi -
These problems are closely linked to a throwaway culture.
-
The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.
-
Climate change represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.
#LaudatoSi -
The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.
-
“To commit a crime against the natural world is a sin against ourselves and a sin against God.” (Patriarch Bartholomew)
-
The throwaway culture of today calls for a new lifestyle.
#LaudatoSi -
There is a value proper to each creature.
-
There is a need to seek other ways of understanding the economy and progress.
#LaudatoSi -
There is an intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet.
#LaudatoSi -
We need a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet.
#LaudatoSi -
I invite all to pause to think about the challenges we face regarding care for our common home.
#LaudatoSi
Pope Francis ?