Catholics and the Environment

What Shade of Green?

man and Nature: Extremes

“Vatican City Crowned the ‘Greenest State In the World’”

12-10-10

“the Vatican has reached a small record in solar energy power production per capita: 200 watts at peak times [… ]per inhabitant, compared to 80 in Germany, the world leader in this field.” –L’Osservatore Romano

“Pope Benedict XVI Gets a M-Class Mercedes Hybrid Popemobile”

07-06-11“The Vatican cafeteria is also planning on installing a solar heating system that will be able to provide heating and cooling for staff. It is even noted that the Pope’s summer residence is being outfitted to harness the methane generated by the horse stables!”

“Pope Benedict XVI Receives Exclusive All-Electric Popemobile From Renault”

09-07-12

“Yannick Read Designs a Pedal-Powered Popemobile”

The Future?

Suspicions Remain• BXVI leadership went a

long way• Still suspicions regarding

environmental movement– Extremes make the news– Disagreement on more

fundamental issues– Eden Foods outcry

Over-Reaction• Secular world largely

agrees w/practical aspects of Church teaching on the environment– Tendency among Catholics to

follow worldly hierarchy of goods

– Opposing positions tend to radicalize

Environmentalism:

You’re Doing it Wrong

St. Francis’ Balance• Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive

for love of you;through those who endure sickness and trial.

• Happy those who endure in peace,for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

• Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,from whose embrace no living person can escape.Woe to those who die in mortal sin!Happy those she finds doing your most holy will.The second death can do no harm to them.

• Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,and serve him with great humility.

Why ask Why?• “Save the Earth” isn’t enough• We need a reason beyond Earth

itself• Otherwise:

– No power to convince– Will change with times– Will lack balance

• If it isn’t God then we will make Earth a god– See Compendium, Ch. 10

Principal Principles• God is the Origin and Goal of all

creatures• Dignity of the Human Person• Common Good• Universal Destination of Goods

– Intergenerational Solidarity

• Preferential Option for the Poor

Alpha and Omega• God created each creature

to reflect some aspect of His nature

• Gen 1 Reveals God created the world as a Temple– Temple behavior

• All creation is good; meant for fulfillment of God’s plan– St. Augustine: Even Gnats

Bible Moralisée, "God as architect of the world", folio I verso, Paris ca. 1220–1230. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna 2554.

A Person is a Person• Human dignity-because we

have intellect and free will– Free will makes us morally

responsible (duties/rights)– Inalienable-Asleep,

Comatose, Senile, In Utero– Incomparable-Dogs are not

people

Animal Rights and Wrongs• Do Plants and Animals have

rights?• Rights flow from Duties• E.g. We have the Right to

Religious Freedom because we have the prior Responsibility to seek the Truth and live by it

Uncommonly Good• Two meanings:

– First: Good that can be shared equally by all (God, Truth)

– Derived: “The sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily”(Comp. 164-170)

All for All• Universal Destination of

Goods (Comp. 171-184)– All things meant for needs of

everyone– Don’t keep what you don’t

need (Sts. Basil/Aquinas-Stealing)

– Priv. Prop. o.k., but must use goods well-Common Good

– BXVI: “Intergenerational Solidarity”

God Prefers the Poor• Preferential Option for the

Poor (Comp. 182-184)– In all things seek to truly

benefit the poor– Poor are entrusted to us– Avoid Utopian Ideologies

(Poor with us always)– Devote yourself to works of

Charity"Adoration of the Shepherds" by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622

Go and Do Likewise• Truth, Justice, Charity,

Prudence– Truth: Seek to understand

situation in all its complexity, form conscience with Church teaching

– Justice: Fulfill obligations to God, others (including future)

– Charity for all, esp. opponents– Pray for Prudence to choose

the right course