Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Nature Must Not be Valued Above Man, Pope Warns
Catholic News Agency ^ | 12/14/09

Posted on 12/15/2009 12:01:39 PM PST by marshmallow

Vatican City, Dec 15, 2009 / 02:02 pm (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI made his message for World Day for Peace public on Tuesday morning in preparation for its observation on January 1, 2010. In his message, he calls for global solidarity in action to provide for the world's needs and to protect the environment. However, the Holy Father also stresses that we must be continually aware of the value of people over and above all other living things.

An attitude of "global solidarity" is essential in shaping our efforts to protect creation through a better internationally-coordinated management of the earth's resources, writes the Pontiff, emphasizing that this is important "particularly today, when there is an increasingly clear link between combating environmental degradation and promoting integral human development."

The "real motivation" to protect nature and ensure the future of humanity must be based on the "quest for authentic worldwide solidarity inspired by the values of charity, justice and the common good," he explains.

Reflecting on the specific role of the Church in this battle, Pope Benedict says that its duty is "towards creation, and she considers it her duty to exercise that responsibility in public life, in order to protect earth, water and air as gifts of God the Creator meant for everyone, and above all to save mankind from the danger of self-destruction."

"Our duties towards the environment flow from our duties towards the person, considered both individually and in relation to others."

To be successful in this venture, we must be "trained in love of neighbor and respect for nature," continues Pope Benedict.

However, he underscores, "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."

We must not succumb to the "notions of the environment inspired by eco-centrism and bio-centrism" because these "eliminate the difference of identity and value between the human person and other living things," the Pontiff warns in his message.

Responding to the attitudes of some environmental groups, Pope Benedict cautions against assuming an "egalitarian vision of the 'dignity' of all living creatures," since this mentality causes the "distinctiveness and superior role of human beings" in the world to cease carrying weight.

This attitude, he warns, can "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 Holy Father concludes his World Day of Peace message by reiterating the theme "if you want to cultivate peace, protect creation" and an affirmation that "the quest for peace by people of good will surely would become easier if all acknowledge the indivisible relationship between God, human beings and the whole of creation."


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Religion & Culture; Theology
KEYWORDS: pope
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-27 last
To: YHAOS
What, I wonder, was his first clue

I believe he as more than merely a clue on the matter ... and part of the reason for his writing this is to share some of those clues with the liberals.

21 posted on 12/15/2009 1:07:23 PM PST by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: ArrogantBustard
"I believe he as more than merely a clue on the matter ... "

Ya think? . . . Of course he does! But he hasn't a clue about Liberals if he thinks he can successfully share anything worthwhile with them.

22 posted on 12/15/2009 1:17:18 PM PST by YHAOS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: YHAOS
If he remains silent, he is culpable for his silence.

If he speaks, but the liberals refuse to listen then he has fulfilled his duties. The liberals' continued ignorance is their fault, rather than his.

23 posted on 12/15/2009 1:20:39 PM PST by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: ArrogantBustard

Of course. That’s his job.


24 posted on 12/15/2009 1:27:25 PM PST by YHAOS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; markomalley; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; ...
We must not succumb to the "notions of the environment inspired by eco-centrism and bio-centrism" because these "eliminate the difference of identity and value between the human person and other living things," the Pontiff warns in his message.

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list


25 posted on 12/15/2009 3:42:44 PM PST by NYer ("One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone" - Benedict XVI)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marshmallow
Responding to the attitudes of some environmental groups, Pope Benedict cautions against assuming an "egalitarian vision of the 'dignity' of all living creatures," since this mentality causes the "distinctiveness and superior role of human beings" in the world to cease carrying weight.

A good reminder to everyone about humans being made in the image and likeness of God, because in the new Eco-Religion, humans ARE just one other species, and not considered anything special.

26 posted on 12/15/2009 10:05:48 PM PST by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: randomhero97
Hey, mr. pope what about the vast wealth the vatican holds? I'm sure it could do a lot of good helping the poor

That 'vast wealth' would probably not cover more than a few days of food for the poor, so what would the poor do after that? The 'wealth' the Vatican holds, is in trust for everyone living and future generations, in the form of books, art, music, buildings and land. Would you suggest that the US Govt. sell all its holdings in order to feed the poor of this country? Same thing, since it's always saying we should do more to take care of the poor.

27 posted on 12/15/2009 10:10:49 PM PST by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-27 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson