THE POPE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE TRUTH

The Pope issued his message for the World Day of Peace and it centers on the environment. Now, I'll come right out and say it; it seems as though there are other, more pressing matters that the Pope could talk about. Lately it's been all about environmentalism. The coverage that I've seen in the mainstream press seems to paint this one world government, kumbayah left wing enviro-nut case picture when they refer to his comments. The news stories always seem to be rather shallow, with just enough information to make it seem as though the Pope is on the side of Al Gore.

What we don't see is this, from his speech today:

"Nor must we forget the very significant fact that many people experience peace and tranquillity, renewal and reinvigoration, when they come into close contact with the beauty and harmony of nature. There exists a certain reciprocity: as we care for creation, we realize that God, through creation, cares for us. On the other hand, a correct understanding of the relationship between man and the environment will not end by absolutizing nature or by considering it more important than the human person. If the Church’s magisterium expresses grave misgivings about notions of the environment inspired by ecocentrism and biocentrism, it is because such notions eliminate the difference of identity and worth between the human person and other living things. In the name of a supposedly egalitarian vision of the “dignity” of all living creatures, such notions end up abolishing the distinctiveness and superior role of human beings. They also open the way to a new pantheism tinged with neo-paganism, which would see the source of man’s salvation in nature alone, understood in purely naturalistic terms. The Church, for her part, is concerned that the question be approached in a balanced way, with respect for the “grammar” which the Creator has inscribed in his handiwork by giving man the role of a steward and administrator with responsibility over creation, a role which man must certainly not abuse, but also one which he may not abdicate. In the same way, the opposite position, which would absolutize technology and human power, results in a grave assault not only on nature, but also on human dignity itself."

The Vatican

I think that this may be the key to the focus on environmentalism of late. The Pope sees in the environmental movement that its leaders have objectified man and reduced us in importance to less than the earth itself. He is trying to underscore the absolute necessity of environmental stewardship while recognizing the rightful place of man in relationship to it. We are commanded in Genesis 1:28: "Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” As a people we have taken this injunction to use the earth to our benefit and bastardized it into the idea that we have no responsibility for the damage we do, as long as we benefit from it.

The Pope is trying to walk the middle road and help man to see that we have a responsibility to ourselves and those that come after us to be good stewards, not just exploiters. But, this stewardship can never become a means unto itself, placing the good of creation above the good of man. Creation was built to serve us, not the other way around. He wants us to understand that while we do have the right to private property that responsibility to protect the resource comes with the right to control it. We will not live forever and someone else will own it after we are gone. We are responsible to that future owner for the health of the common inheritance we all share.


The stories in the MSM seem to miss out on this subtle, nuanced teaching. The Popes words are being spun to suit a particular political ideology. He has to be aware of this so I'm not sure why more isn't being done to get the real message out. Of course, maybe he figures that he has a really bully pulpit and the truth is there for those that wish to look. I don't know.


I guess that I'm just frustrated. I know that the Pope is doing what he believes is important so, honestly, it probably is. I'm just tired of seeing the truth twisted and turned. Both sides of the environmental debate would do well to really absorb what the Pope has said. If we would truly work for the common good as Christianity teaches and God intends life would be so much easier. Instead, we'll continue to squabble for personal, political and financial power until the whole thing comes tumbling down. We are fools; from the fall to today we've learned nothing and nothing has changed. We are driven by pride and lust and they will be our undoing.


It is just a matter of time.