Saturday, September 5, 2009

Great quotes...

"We are coming to the end of the month of August, which for many means the end of the summer holidays. As we return to our daily activities, how can we not thank God for the precious gift of creation, which we can enjoy not only during the period of vacations! The different phenomena of environmental degradation and natural calamities, which unfortunately are often reported in the news, remind us of the urgency of the respect owed to nature, recovering and appreciating, in every day life, a correct relation with the environment. A new sensitivity to these topics is being developed, which arouses the correct concern of the authorities and of public opinion, which is also expressed in the multiplication of meetings at the international level...

... the Church is not only committed to the promotion of the defense of the earth, of water and of air, given by the Creator to everyone, but above all is committed to protect man from the destruction of himself. In fact, "when 'human ecology' is respected in society, environmental ecology also benefits" Is it not true that inconsiderate use of creation begins where God is marginalized or also where is existence is denied? If the human creature's relationship with the Creator weakens, matter is reduced to egoistic possession, man becomes the "final authority," and the objective of existence is reduced to a feverish race to possess the most possible.

How important it is, therefore, that the international community and the different governments be able to give the appropriate indications to their own citizens to address in an effective manner the ways of utilizing the environment that turn out to be harmful. The economic and social costs stemming from the use of shared environmental resources, recognized in a transparent way, must be assumed by those who use them, and not by other populations or by future generations. Protection of the environment and the safeguarding of the resources and climate call for all leaders to act jointly, respecting the law and promoting solidarity, above all in the weaker regions of the earth...

With these sentiments I wish to encourage all the participants in the United Nations summit to enter into their discussions constructively and with generous courage. Indeed, we are all called to exercise responsible stewardship of creation, to use resources in such a way that every individual and community can live with dignity, and to develop "that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God"

- Pope Benedict XVI's address at a general audience at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. Full transcript here.

Well, he's nothing if not consistent! He usually has secularism and atheism in his sights (e.g. see: Papal Letter Blames Atheism for World's Worst Woes), and this time they are implied to be responsible for climate change and the degradation of the environment.

Pope: Atheists are Responsible for Global Warming
Pope: Atheism weakens committment to human rights
Pope Connects Abuse of Creation With Atheism

Previous blog entries related to the Pope:
Random pictures... - May 25th, 2009
No Papal benediction - Sep 30th, 2008
The danger we face - Sep 14th, 2008
Better the second time around - Jul 23rd, 2008
HH Tekel - Jun 17th, 2009
Well said ?!? - Apr 17th, 2008

No comments:

Post a Comment