In honor of the announcement of his beatification, the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change reminds us that pope John Paul II, was instrumental in renewing the Church’s ancient teachings in light of modern environmental degradation. Here is just a sampling of what he had to say about the environment from his landmark World Day of Peace Message: Peace with God the Creator, Peace with All of Creation:
[W]e 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.
[T]he ecological crisis is a moral issue.
When man turns his back on the Creator’s plan, he provokes a disorder which has inevitable repercussions on the rest of the created order. If man is not at peace with God, then earth itself cannot be at peace: “Therefore the land mourns and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and even the fish of the sea are taken away” (Hos 4:3). The profound sense that the earth is “suffering” is also shared by those who do not profess our faith in God. Indeed, the increasing devastation of the world of nature is apparent to all. It results from the behavior of people who show a callous disregard for the hidden, yet perceivable requirements of the order and harmony which govern nature itself. Read the message here.
Read more from Pope John Paul II, Conservationist (featuring more than 100 beautiful statements!)
