THIS week we are encouraged to make the theme of God’s creation central. The Liturgy Committee organised a Vigil last Wednesday on this very theme.
Today I thought I would make my own brief summary of Laudatio Si, the 2015 document of Pope Francis. This is not meant to replace reading the document but to give a clear guide to its teaching:
* the spiritual perspective is now part of the discussion on the environment.
* the poor are disproportionately affected by climate change.
* less is more
* Catholic social teaching now includes teaching on the environment
* discussions about the environment can be grounded in the Bible and Church tradition
* everything is connected – including the economy
* scientific research on the environment is to be praised and used
* widespread indifference and selfishness worsen environmental problems
* global dialogue and solidarity are needed
* a change of heart is required.
We Catholics are part of that change, or we should be but, sadly, many of our Catholic politicians give every impression of being de facto sceptics.