Pope Francis admonished the world’s people for their “unfettered greed” in the way they care for the environment and earth. He urged people to stop their selfish behavior , act against pollution, practice civility, and generally become more conscious of their actions because “the earth is looking more and more like an immense pile of filth.”
He condemned a “throwaway culture” that embraces abortion and has no regard for the wellness of the earth or the cry of the impoverished people in the world. He said that all of these attitudes are related and that “continued abuse of the natural world has the greatest effect on residents of the developing world and serves to keep them at a disadvantage.”
Ending months of anticipation from Catholic people and the world in general on Thursday, the Vatican released Laudato Si’ , or “Praise Be To You,” in English, a lengthy, intellectual 184-page document that addressed an encompassing variety of ways that human beings care for their worldly surroundings, and are not proper stewards of the earth, condemning issues like deforestation, fracking, and polluted water, to architecture and urban planning that aids in the destruction of the earth’s natural habitats.
The Pope did offer hope for the world and her people, but only through major changes in attitude and care of the world and the people who live here. Some of the topics included: reaching a global consensus to establish sustainable and workable agriculture, to continue to develop renewable energy, conserve marine and forest resources, and ensure universal access to clean drinking water.
Pope Francis spoke about replacing fossil fuels that contribute to global warming and seemed particularly concerned about how well experts are addressing these issues, as well as indigent countries most affected.
“Reducing greenhouse gases requires honesty, courage and responsibility, above all on the part of those countries which are more powerful and pollute the most.”
Pope Francis stated that individuals are responsible for their part in the earth’s destruction, not just corporations, and need to take responsibility for that and make it a priority in their lives.
“We lack an awareness of our common origin, of our mutual belonging, and of a future to be shared with everyone. We need to embrace the conviction that we are one single human family.”
So far, there has not been much reaction collectively to the Pope’s rather staunch admonishments. Readers, do you agree with the Pope?
[image by Shoebat ]
