The Church and the environment

The joint pastoral letter about environmental problems issued by the bishops last month said that everyone should feel responsible for the environment and do their bit to ensure that creation is not destroyed by using land in a careless manner, particularly when the progress made was flawed and influenced by greed and selfishness.

Our appeal was given fairly wide publicity and seemingly received without much ado. Nevertheless, a section of the local press could not conceal its astonishment that the Church authorities had pronounced themselves on such an issue.

Some even went so far as to call it a "a novelty" or "a first step", almost a side-stepping out of the customary course. But, nevertheless, their prevailing opinion was that the statement was a case of better late than never.

These commentators seem to assume that the Church had hitherto been tongue-tied and mute about ecological issues. In their opinion, until recently, it had failed to defend the bio-sphere or promote environmental education. Nothing could be further than the truth: the ecclesiastical authorities have for a long time spoken out in defence of the natural environment.

It is a well known fact that life of any kind is not possible everywhere. Besides, we are becoming increasingly aware that some conditions are conducive to a healthier and stronger life, while others are a menace to it or create special problems for its normal development. Various factors have influenced the growth and survival of vegetation and animal life in recent centuries.

Our remote predecessors lived in an almost unhampered harmony with the environment. But with the increase of population and the forward leap in technology, environmental problems began to rear their ugly head.

Indeed, so far as eco-systems are concerned, profound and harmful changes have taken place, at least in some regions, in the earth's crust - in the composition of its atmosphere, the quality and quantity of its water and other elements required for life.

By the end of the second millennium, it became quite obvious that the environment, and its ability to sustain life, were seriously threatened by an irreversible and overpowering decline.

Examples of this damage abound and cries of alarm have been heard, albeit not as often and so loud as was necessary. Just to mention a few: the nuclear fallout caused by the use of nuclear arms, and the introduction of nuclear plants for new energy; the increase of carbon dioxide owing to the burning of fossil fuels; the acid rain due to the mixing with the air of sulphur dioxides and nitrous oxides from factories and motor vehicles; the harm done to the ozone layer, and the contamination of the soil and plants as a result of the extensive use of synthetic pesticides and other toxic compounds.

So what was the Church's reaction to this mess? Did the ecclesiastical authorities bury their head in the sand to keep out of the ongoing discussion about the ways and means of preserving nature? To what extent is the criticism levelled against her of undue silence justified?

Since l968, the Popes have marked the occasion of the Day of Peace by sending their message to the whole Catholic world. This document is translated into Maltese, sent for publication in the local media, and normally read or commented upon in the Sunday church service.

More than 12 years ago, the topic chosen for the message of the Day of Peace l990 was 'Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all of Creation'. It touched on items related to ecology and commented that it was now clear that the application of these discoveries in the fields of industry and agriculture had produced harmful long-term effects.

This had led to the painful realisation that we cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without paying due attention both to the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the well-being of future generations.

But it just happened that in our country this earnest appeal of the Pope fell upon deaf ears.

I myself had said at the end of last year that side by side with the problem of consumerism was the equally thought-provoking ecological question, and that humanity should recognise its duties and obligations towards future generations.

Copies of the Catechism of the Catholic Church were distributed by the thousand in our islands. Those who happen to have a copy may still profitably consult this very useful publication which contains a very poignant statement: "Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbour, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation."

What a shame that this is not being observed.