Message from the Pope – for the Common Good!

By Phil Brennan AWARE News Network

Last month, when the Heartland Institute, a so called free market-oriented group vigorously fought to discourage Pope Francis from “lending his moral authority to the politicized and unscientific climate change agenda of the United Nations, ” I found myself compelled to read the lengthy document to determine why a such a well-funded interest group, that argues that climate change is not caused by man, is so afraid of the Pope’s message. I also wondered if the message might be relevant to AWARE Simcoe readers.

The Pope begins his letter by reviewing several aspects of the present ecological crisis, drawing on scientific research. He looks at the causes of the crisis to help provide an approach to ecology which respects our unique place as human beings in this world and our relationship to our surroundings. He proposes more dialogue, action and education to get this world back on the right track.   You don’t need to be a catholic or even a believer to get something from this encyclical.

The Pope states that “climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day. Its worst impact will probably be felt by developing countries in coming decades. Many of the poor live in areas particularly affected by phenomena related to warming, and their means of subsistence are largely dependent on natural reserves and ecosystemic services such as agriculture, fishing and forestry.” He goes on to describe the impacts, including the loss of drinking water, biodiversity, the resulting global inequality that we are increasingly experiencing, and the failure of current economic powers to take appropriate action.

He states “this responsibility for God’s earth means that human beings, endowed with intelligence, must respect the laws of nature and the delicate equilibria existing between the creatures of this world,” and argues that “Together with our obligation to use the earth’s goods responsibly, we are called to recognize that other living beings have a value of their own…”

For us, as members of AWARE Simcoe, there are some down-to-earth messages that most of us can relate to. For starters, the Pope clarifies that the earth is a shared inheritance and we all have a responsibility to keep it healthy.   He also expresses: “The principle of the subordination of private property to the universal destination of goods, and thus the right of everyone to their use, is a golden rule of social conduct and the first principle of the whole ethical and social order.” Stating that ” while the Church defends the legitimate right to private property, there is a social mortgage on all private property , in order that goods may serve the general purpose that God gave them”. To this author, the message is clear that we as landowners, farmers, and developers have a obligation to protect ecological function and processes on land that we own and use.  Let’s leave some of the trees and woodlands – it is a moral obligation.

Much is said in the paper about the sad state of our “throw away” culture. We are advised that contemporary man has not been trained to use power well – because our immense technological development has not been accompanied by a development in human responsibility, values and conscience.

But – his message is one of hope for the future. He suggests a number of solutions. For starters he argues that we need to give researchers their due role, to facilitate their interaction, and to ensure broad academic freedom. Seems like a message sent right to the federal government.

When it comes to “sustainable use,” he notes that consideration must be given to each ecosystems regenerative ability in its different areas and aspects – something clearly not handled well in Ontario’s current push “for growth”. He suggests that we need an economic ecology – the protection of the environment is “an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.   Wow! Make it so!

Pope Francis also writes about “the ecology of daily life.” He argues that the beauty of design is not enough – more precious still is the service we offer to another kind of beauty: people’s quality of life, their adaptation to the environment, encounter and mutual assistance.   He states that “Here too, we see how important it is that urban planning always take into consideration views of those who live in these areas.” The good people of Midhurst would heartily agree!

The Pope does not talk about the “greater good” (Simcoe County’s slogan is: For the Greater Good) but he does speak about the “common good”. He notes that it is “the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment.” Seems the common good and the greater good have much in common.

He does not see schemes like carbon credits as a solution to climate change as they do not allow for the radical (and urgent) change which present circumstances require. A big part of the message here is that technological solutions should not always be counted on to fix problems.

Like AWARE Simcoe, the Pope is big on “transparency”. He argues that the culture of consumerism, which prioritizes short-term gain and private interest, can make it easy to rubber-stamp authorizations or to conceal information.   Got that right if you follow the AWARE Simcoe website.

Pope Francis also talks about the need to change our financial system. He writes “Saving banks at any cost, and making the public pay – reaffirms the power of the current financial system – which has no future.   The financial crisis of 07-08 provided an opportunity to develop a new economy, more attentive to ethical principles, and new ways of regulating speculative financial practices and virtual wealth.” What can one say about that? Take that Heartland Institute – no wonder you are fighting with Rome over this letter!

His closing message is that we all have an important role to play in ecological education.

As a Christian I have to say that I often do not agree with positions taken by the Church and because of the comprehensive nature of this letter it is hard to imagine someone agreeing with every point that is made. However, this letter is an excellent summary of the ecological, social, economic, and political aspects of the climate change issue.   There is something in it for us all.   There is something in it for the Common Good!

Link to encyclical Laudato Si’