News
In his much anticipated encyclical letter directed at ‘every person living on this planet’, Pope Francis states that serious attention to environmental destruction is the collective responsibility of us all.
He calls for our urgent need to heed the warnings of climate-change experts and sound scientific consensus about environmental destruction and asks that we transform our lifestyle for the collective good.
We need to cut waste, end our throwaway culture, slow down and look at progress in a different way.
Simone Olsen
Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato Si’ – Praise be to you, released 19 June 2015, quotes the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Statement on the Environment 2006, and amplifies the cry of the poor and the earth.
Cardinal John Dew, president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, said on behalf of the Bishops, ‘We are humbled to have been quoted [para 95]. Pope Francis echoes our comments that the environment is a collective good and the responsibility of us all, and the overconsumption of resources by the rich robs poor nations and future generations of what they need to survive.
‘With the theme “care for our common home”, Pope Francis addresses this message to everyone worldwide. He describes us as one human family and acknowledges all those who have advocated for addressing these issues and as such have contributed to this body of thought,’ said Cardinal John.
Heard throughout the document is a call to all those who live on this planet to heed these words.
‘Emphasising urgency, Pope Francis describes the environmental issues evident throughout the globe as today’s reality, not a problem for tomorrow. He calls for bold solutions that are mindful of what will be left for future generations.
‘It is a consistent message about life – the whole planet and all that inhabits the earth.
‘He states all things within our common home are interrelated, including the most fragile ecosystems, creatures, and human beings – as well as the children who are eliminated because they are unwanted or inconvenient.’
Describing the encyclical, Bishop Charles Drennan said, ‘Pope Francis has taken a very holistic approach to describing the immense and urgent challenges facing the planet and all its inhabitants.
‘The letter weaves together many disciplines such as politics, economics, science, theology and philosophy, and ecology, from the Greek word oikos – meaning home.
‘Drawing on this idea of the planet as humanity’s home, he calls on us to confront the challenges not from behind the partial views – sometimes selfish – of particular interest groups but as fellow human beings who have a duty to care for future generations.
‘For us here in Aotearoa New Zealand we often ask ourselves what of worth will be left for our mokopuna.
‘It is especially notable that while there is usually a prayer at the conclusion of an encyclical, Pope Francis in this case has included two: one for Christian believers and one for those of other faiths and religions who also recognise God as the creator, and so can with Catholics pray for the earth and the challenges that face us today.’
Asked to summarise the encyclical in one sentence Bishop Charles said, ‘Mother Earth is to humanity what the womb is to a baby’.
Cardinal John said, ‘True to Pope Francis’ style, hope is a theme throughout, reminding us all is not lost, as humanity is capable of transformation and creating the necessary solutions to these challenges.
The Bishops look forward to studying and reflecting on the message and engaging in dialogue with politicians, our own parishes and schools, and the wider community.
‘We invite everyone to read these words.’
Simone Olsen is Communications Adviser NZ Catholic Bishops.
Laudate Si’: initial thoughts
Care for our common home
Tom Rouse
The new encyclical letter, with six chapters, is a powerful voice and an urgent plea. Pope Francis begins by insisting he is in continuity with his papal predecessors, that his concerns are shared by many scientists, philosophers, theologians and other Christian leaders, and that what he says resonates with the spirit of the great saint and his namesake of Assisi.
He begins by explaining what is happening to the earth by looking, for example, at the effects of pollution and climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Next, he looks at what is happening from the perspective of the Judaeo-Christian tradition. He then investigates some of the causes of today’s ecological crisis. This follows with his proposal for a new vision he calls ‘integral ecology’ based on the argument ‘everything is closely interrelated’ (137). He then suggests lines of approach and action based on the principles of dialogue. Finally, he proposes a process of ‘ecological education and spirituality’.
Never before has a papal encyclical aroused such intense world-wide media attention and this began well before it was officially published. Very soon after its release, there were statements from Ban ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, and US President Obama. Numerous other political and religious leaders have also made public their views.
The document includes a quotation from the New Zealand Bishops’ Conference. This is to the credit of the local conference who, as quoted by Francis, ‘asked what the commandment “Thou shalt not kill’ means when “twenty per cent of the world’s population consumes resources at a rate that robs the poor nations and future generations of what they need to survive”. (95)
I believe this letter should and could easily become the basis of a weekly-reflection programme, for use among small groups of Christians and others who are concerned about the environment.
I hope there would be some who would have the creativity and energy to produce a booklet to help with this. In this way, this encyclical will receive the attention it deserves and we will contribute more effectively to the challenge to take ‘care of our common home’.
Fr Tom Rouse lives and works at the Columban Mission, Lower Hutt.
Challenge, hope in encyclical
Lisa Beech, Caritas
Pope Francis gives both challenge and hope to the world in his latest encyclical. Caritas Director Julianne Hickey says the Pope addresses his letter to all people, seeking dialogue and reminding us of our shared responsibility for safeguarding our common home, so all can live in dignity, and be especially mindful of future generations and today’s poor.
He hasn’t flinched from acknowledging the immensity and urgency of responding to environmental degradation fac
ed by many people, especially the poorest. Pope Francis highlights the lack of information and awareness of environmental problems that affect the poorest and most excluded. In our region we hear this first hand through listening to grassroots voices in Oceania.
The encyclical is critical of international efforts in addressing climate change, said Mrs Hickey. ‘The Pope calls for bold solutions that look beyond national interests or short-term political cycles. He recognises a greater responsibility on the part of wealthier and more powerful countries whose development has already benefitted from use of fossil fuels and natural resources.
‘Caritas welcomes the challenge he has thrown in questioning market-based, technical solutions such as carbon credits.’
This year the global community has a significant opportunity to make a difference through three international conferences on sustainable development, climate change and development finance. ‘This is a critical moment for New Zealand to look beyond our own self-interest and domestic politics, and to be a bold leader in seeking the global common good.’