After many decades without getting involved in contemporary environmental problems, the Catholic Church jumped into the center of the debate with the encyclical “Laudato si Francisco” of the current pope. For the writing of the encyclical, the pope surrounded himself with expert opinions and the most complete scientific evidence. Its conclusions are clear and are in line with raising awareness of the challenge of climate change while evidencing the Church’s own emptiness in incorporating solutions to a problem that affects humanity beyond an appeal to a supposed moral obligation. .
Two decades after the Rio summit and 18 years after the signing of the Kyoto protocol, the Church observes that:
- Climate change is real, and its causes are human
- Rich countries owe an “ecological debt” to poor countries
- Strong global governance is needed now more than ever
- A debate is needed between science and religion as complementary ways of understanding reality, not exclusive ones
- The environmental and social crises are not two and separate, but one and only socio-environmental crisis, and the tools for their solution must be consequently influential and unitary
- Protecting the environment is a moral obligation
Now, the Pope calls for action at the climate summit, calling for concrete and decisive action. The pope’s message advances in the direction indicated by reason and science. It is not usual in the Church.
By clicking here you can access the encyclical “Laudato si Franciso”.
