Francis has spoken. He has spoken loudly. The Pope’s encyclical had long been in the pipeline, perhaps even as much as nearly two years. Although the environment has often been part of the social teaching of successive popes, particularly in the last 50 years, Laudato sì is the first major document that is dedicated solely to this issue. Its subtitle already speaks volumes: On care for our common home.
The opening words of the document are not only revealing but a welcome appetiser: “Our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us” (n.1).
Pope Francis is spot on a plethora of ecological issues, such as pollution and climate change, toxic wastes, today’s ‘throwaway’ culture, limited recycling, global warming and the resultant rise in sea levels, extreme weather, deforestation, the acidification of the oceans, destruction of ecosystems, rise in carbon dioxide levels, the loss of biodiversity, access to safe drinking water, uncontrolled fishing, and so forth. It is indeed a tall list.
The Holy Father refers to many a hot potato, as for instance the evil connection between corruption and the misuse of the natural environment, at the detriment of the common good. Moreover, another issue he tackles is that of sickness or terminal illnesses to which individuals succumb due to toxic substances in the air we breathe and in the water we drink.
Francis’s documents are written in the way he speaks – direct, prophetic, incisive and crystal clear
The Bishop of Rome addresses the effects of the above on the quality of human life and relationships within society. In other words, the issues he raises do not belong solely to environmentalists or green lobbies. Indeed, he affirms that “a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” (n.49).
It is impossible to summarise such a rich and comprehensive document, which will be available in Maltese on Wednesday. It is there for us to read, to reflect upon and to act accordingly. As Archbishop Scicluna himself affirmed a fortnight ago, let us not read what the news agencies have had to say about it.
Laudato sì is to be read in its entirety. I can say that it is an extremely readable and flowing document. Francis’s documents are written in the way he speaks – direct, prophetic, incisive and crystal clear. Going through the text, you just want to read, read and read on.
Reading the document, you would expect to find plentiful references to Scripture and to the writings and speeches of previous popes. He spans from the book of Genesis to the contact of Jesus Christ with nature. Yes, it is all there. Popes Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI have all said it before, although not in such a loud manner as in this encyclical.
Yet I was struck by the importance Francis gives to the vibrant echoes coming from the down-to-earth pronouncements of the local Churches with their own first-hand experience of environment issues. He inserts these grass-root prophetic contributions in his encyclical.
These are the voices of bishops from the four corners of the planet, bearing witness to the protection of the natural environment which is God’s gift to all. He refers to pronouncements made by bishops from as far away as the Philippines, New Zealand, Patagonia and South Africa.
It would be in place to read the text of Laudato Sì with an open and a searching heart. Pope Francis is inviting us to appreciate the Good News of creation and to marvel at the symphony of all that has been created. It would be a pity if we lose this opportunity to gaze at the mightiest waterfall, the highest mountain or the deepest ocean, the smallest bird and the cutest flower. This has all been given to us.
The writing is on the wall. It is there for all to see. Our beautiful planet is in pain. Let us give heed to the cry of the earth: we are all responsible. There is something you can do.
The public is invited to a presentation by Archbishop Charles Scicluna on the Pope’s encyclical on Wednesday at 7pm at the Seminary, Tal-Virtù, Rabat.
http://knisja.org/LaudatoSi
Fr Hector Scerri is a Theology lecturer at the University of Malta.