Some call Benedict XVI the “green pope” because he calls care for creation a sign of respect for God the creator and insists it is an essential part of our faith. In his first homily as pope, for example, he warns that “the earth’s treasures no longer serve to build God’s garden for all to live in, but they have been made to serve the powers of exploitation and destruction.”
Such concern for creation is not new, but Pope Benedict has given it new urgency and priority. For believers, this obligation began with Genesis, not Earth Day. In this year’s World Day of Peace Message, Pope Benedict XVI urges environmental prudence, with the “good of all as a constant guiding criterion” and with a special focus on the poor. He states: “Prudence does not mean failing to accept responsibilities and postponing decisions; it means being committed to making joint decisions after pondering responsibly the road to be taken, decisions aimed at strengthening that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God…” (#7).
Pope Benedict links the natural environment and human life and dignity. Last year he cautioned that “man can destroy the foundations of his existence, his earth” and therefore “can no longer simply do what we like or what seems useful and promising at the time with this earth of ours … On the contrary, we must respect the inner laws of creation, of this earth, we must learn these laws and obey these laws if we wish to survive.
Earlier this year, the pope declared “time is short” and called for responsible collaboration and sacrifice among nations, urging them “to choose the path of dialogue rather than the path of unilateral decisions.” Increased dialogue is especially needed over the “stewardship of the earth’s energy resources” (#8).
Pope Benedict XVI warns that the poor and vulnerable, who are least responsible for contributing to climate change, will likely suffer its worst consequences. If the protection of the environment involves costs,” the pope insists, “they should be justly distributed, taking due account of the different levels of development of various countries and the need for solidarity with future generations,” because developing countries have the greatest risks and least resources to adapt to climate change.
Following the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI and their own statement, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good, the U.S. Catholic Bishops are offering a distinctive, authentic and constructive contribution to climate change discussions and decisions. Working with interfaith and Catholic partners, the USCCB is lifting up ways climate change and other environmental threats disproportionately hurt the poor and working to insure that responses do not further harm the most vulnerable in our nation and around the world.
The Holy Father’s teaching extends beyond climate to other environmental degradation and neglect. Early in his papacy, Benedict said: “Today the great gift of God is exposed to serious dangers and lifestyles which can degrade it. Environmental pollution is making particularly unsustainable the lives of the poor of the world.” For more than a decade, the USCCB has sought to protect children, born and unborn, from exposure to environmental toxins which can threaten their health and lives.
Benedict is sometimes called the “Green Pope” because of his persistent calls for respect for all of creation. He is not embracing some new cause, but calling Catholics to recover and live out a duty anchored in Scripture, reflected in the lives of Francis and other saints, articulated in Catholic teaching and expressed in traditional virtues of prudence and sacrifice.
Benedict’s Pilgrimage of Hope brings a pastor, teacher and leader who reminds us that the Earth is not for us to exploit, but “the Earth is the Lord’s.” Creation is God’s gift and care for creation is a religious duty and a test of our faith. This is a message of genuine hope for all of us and for the planet we share.
Cecilia Calvo is the Coordinator of the USCCB Environmental Justice efforts.
