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Commendable paper

Jun 21,2015 - Last updated at Jun 21,2015

His Holiness Pope Francis has released yet another thought-provoking document, this time about environment and the need to address the growing threat of global warming.

This latest Vatican document, an encyclical on the environment titled “Laudato sii” (Be praised), teaches that care for the environment goes hand in hand with respect for human beings. It is intended to raise awareness about the climate crisis that has to be addressed urgently.

The Pope’s message is bound to reach not just the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, but also the rest of the global population, which makes it all the more important.

After all, scientific evidence corroborated the conclusion that human activity is fundamentally transforming the planet.

The activities of some will end up taking a toll on all, with nobody spared, so by using the term “integral ecology” in his paper, the Pope is calling on mankind to care together for the planet, for the common good.

Many parts of the world have been witnessing in recent years exceptional weather phenomena. Nodding in understanding and compassion does not change things.

Humanity has to acknowledge the fact that its activities are damaging nature and start working to stop and reverse the trend.

We have the moral obligation to protect our planet and should have the common sense to realise that some of our activities threaten food production in the drier, and poorer, areas of the world.

As the Pope pointed out, the poor are disproportionately affected by climate change; he asks mankind to broaden compassion, to care for creation but also for the poor.

The Pope continues to work to make the Vatican relevant, not only to Catholicism, but to all mankind.

He constantly breaks new ground, hoping to change the world for the better by adopting doctrines that relate to earthly issues rather than heavenly pursuits.

The Vatican wants and seeks action against socio-economic ills not only through prayers.

Other Popes before him adopted similar positions, certainly. In 1963, Pope John XXIII warned about nuclear wars in his “Pacem in Terris” doctrine.

In 1967, Pope Paul VI called on wealthy nations to help poor countries. In 2009, Pope Bendict XVI talked about economic inequality, global development and progress towards the common good.

Pope Francis, however, must have stepped on quite a few toes by engaging the church in a most pressing challenge, taking on the “unpopular” environment issue.

But he is right and maybe the world will listen to His Holiness.

 

We all have a role to play and a contribution to make towards preserving the health of our planet if we wish to survive.

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