The death and burial of the late Pope John Paul II received massive coverage in both the print and electronic media in almost every country in the world. Many commentators spoke and wrote about the Pope’s commitment to ending poverty and promoting human rights. They referred to his speeches and writings about the dignity of work, the obligation that rich nations have to increase aid to the poor, forgive the debt, tackle the AIDS epidemic and other debilitating illnesses, promote fair trade and develop an equitable relationship between rich and poor nations based on the rule of law. He also called for real solidarity between all human beings.
The Pope was aware that his efforts to build a peaceful just and sustainable world are two sides of the same coin.
His first encyclical letter Redemptor Hominis (The Redeemer of Humankind) set the tone for his entire papacy. John Paul II committed the Church to defend all that is human and to promote the flourishing of human life everywhere. Such human blossoming cannot take place amid grinding poverty where one billion go to bed hungry and where they lack access to food, clothing, shelter, portable water, health care and education. Furthermore, it is clear that this generation and every succeeding generation cannot thrive if crucial ecosystems are degraded and toxic elements are spread across the planet. The Pope was aware that his efforts to build a peaceful, just and sustainable world are two sides of the same coin.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
This is why I was amazed that, despite the acres of material printed on the Pope’s life and teaching, few people drew attention to the Pope’s message on the current despoliation of the global environment. True, the environment was not at the top of his agenda but he did have insightful things to say that have been totally overlooked. In “Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all Creation” which he published on 01 January 1990, he wrote that: “Christians, in particular, know that their responsibility within creation and their duty towards God and the Creator are an essential part of their faith”. (No.14.) In the same document he suggested that modern society will find no solution to the ecological problems unless it takes a serious look at its lifestyle. He believes that simplicity, moderation and discipline, as well as a spirit of sacrifice, must become part of everyday life, lest all suffer the negative consequences of the careless habits of a few.
Christians, in particular, know that their responsibility within creation and their duty towards God and the Creator are an essential part of their faith.
Four years ago on 17 January 2001, John Paul II’s environmental critique was much more forthright and ominous. He said: “In our time humans have devastated wooded plains and valleys, polluted the waters, deformed the earth’s habitat, made the air unbreathable, upset the hydrological and atmospheric systems, blighted green spaces, implemented uncontrollable forms of industralisation, humiliating--to use the words of Dante Alighieri -- the earth, the flower-bed that is our dwelling”.
ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION
It is necessary, therefore, to stimulate and sustain the “ecological conversion” which over these last decades has made humanity more sensitive when faced with the catastrophe towards which it is moving. Unfortunately, this call to conversion has, for the most part, fallen on deaf ears, because people in vital positions in politics, economics, the media and religion regularly fail to assess the ecological impact of their activities. One might even be tempted to dismiss this speech as having more to do with science. But the fact is that it is substantiated by the recent Millennium Ecosystem Report which was published just before the Pope died. The study contains what the authors call “a stark warning” for everyone in the world. They write that human activity is putting such a strain on the natural functions of the Earth that the ability of the planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations (of humans) can no longer be taken for granted.
The Report carries huge weight and cannot be brushed aside by contrarians. It was collated under the direction of Robert Watson, the British-born chief scientist at the World Bank with the aid of over 1,300 scientists from almost 100 countries. It chronicles how rapidly
One can only hope and pray that this Pope will listen both to the voice of the poor and the voice of the earth.
humankind are devastating vital ecosystems like tropical forests, coral reefs and crop lands. It adds its voice to numerous other scientific studies regarding the destructive impact of climate change on humans and many other species on the planet. It tells us that water withdrawals from rivers and lakes has doubled in the past 40 years so that today humans now use between 40% and 50% of all available freshwater running off the land. At least one quarter of all fish stocks are over-harvested and today, in some areas, fish catches are merely one hundredth of what they were before the advent of industrial fishing. It also tells us that we are causing the extinction of a significant section of the web of life.
THE CHALLENGES OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
This is the world that faces the next Pope. Very few of the cardinals have spoken out in any significant way about the devastation of the Earth, even those in countries like Brazil where the rape of the Amazon is so obvious. It is true that Cardinal Napier of South Africa has taken a strong position on genetically engineered crops against the prevailing mood in the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace which is headed by Cardinal Renato Martino. However, elsewhere in Africa environmental statements from Church leaders are sparse.
Some cardinals appear critical of the Green movement. In 1987 the new Pope, Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, accused the Greens as being a blend of ill-defined romanticism with elements of Marxism and even stronger strains of liberalism – none of which he had much time for.
The strongest environmental voice in the College of Cardinals is Cardinal Cahal Daly who in 2004 published a book called The Minding of Planet Earth. Unfortunately, he is over 80 and therefore did not take part in the conclave.
One can only hope and pray that our Pope will listen both to the voice of the poor and the voice of the earth. The world needs to hear a moral and religious leader who is willing to speak out about the scale of irreversible environmental destruction which global warming is predicted to cause, especially to the poor. This Pope should be unafraid to challenge the USA and Australia to face up to their moral responsibility for the future and sign up the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gases.
According to the Millennium Report, time is running out. Unless we take decisive action soon, future generations will be forced to live amid the ruins of the natural world.
Sean McDonagh
Taken from IMUReport June-August 2005
Ireland
