Catholic Perspectives on Climate Change and Population

[4elise]

The complete address of Pope Benedict to the Summit on Climate Change is available here: un.org/wcm/content/site/climatechange/pages/2009summit/statements#v as a PDF

“The protection of the environment, and the safeguarding of resources and of the climate, oblige all leaders to act jointly, respecting the law and promoting solidarity with the weakest regions of the world (cf. no. 50). Together we can build an integral human
development beneficial for all peoples, present and future, a development inspired by the values of charity in truth. For this to happen it is essential that the current model of global development be transformed through a greater, and shared, acceptance of responsibility for creation: this is demanded not only by environmental factors, but also by the scandal of hunger and human misery.”

 

[archangel04]

archangel04;6810470:

WHY CAN’T WE CARE AND WORK FOR MORE THAN ONE GOOD THING?
I think the - 'if you aren’t paying attention to abortion then you can’t care about anything else

’ is a smoke screen - I think this tool can be used to take the steam out of people of good will - keep them from examining their own choices and actions.

And seriously choice? Those who will be climate refugees over the next 100 years have no choice - no voice - and we CATHOLICS who believe ALL people (born and unborn) are made in God’s image should be their voice too and this is what the Holy Father is talking about.

Yes there are places in Africa that are hot (and some that are cold) - but the already larger burden of poverty and disease (here and the islands in the Pacific, places in Latin America) will be increased as the land can produce less and less food - for these children, these women and men we really need to be acting - and opening our eyes and our hearts to how our actions can impact their lives - Blessings

Yes I am serious about choice. Even in the face of genocide a people have a chance and a choice to flee or fight back! An innocent child does not. The problem again that I have is that “global warming” has been made the TOP priority in the list of moral ethics in thie world, this is WRONG, because there are far worst things in this world than global warming. Should we focus some attention on this matter? Yes of course, and I applaude those who do what must be done in this matter, but again this movement is now being used as the real smoke screen to promote polulation control, thats what you are not getting, you only are assuming that I am some ultra-right wing conservative who could care less about the earth, this is not true what so ever, and I do my part in helping to keep a clean environment. Also the problem with supporting some of these organizations is that they also promote or support in some way or another abortion, gay-rights, and other Anti-Christian agendas, although not all, but most of them do.

Climate change isn’t simply a matter of “taking care of resources”. It requires dramatically re-evaluating lifestyles perpetuated by American media, advertising and commercial interests. The “culture of death” is perpetuated by false claims “youthfulness”, “vanity”, “consumerism”, the “pursuit of pleasure” and the reduction of complex political phenomenon to simply matters of choice without regard for what exactly is being chosen. It reduces the very Catholic worldview of “the common good” to individual pursuits of pleasure.

Re: the “choice” people facing deperate situations have please take some time and read “Fleeing for Their Lives” from Georgetown Press. It’s an anthology from a conference sponsored by Boston College last year featuring testimony from Catholic social ethicians and those in the field who work with refugees ranging from CRS to Jesuit Refugee Service. It’s not so simple as you want to make it.

I** encourage you in your pro-life work. How about encouraging others who embrace a Consistent Life Ethic in the work they feel compelled to participate in? No one can do it all. But all can do something**

.

Once again I do encourage anyone that wants to promote a better world and have no problem with it, if it’s approached with the right mind set. Anyting comming out of Boston college I am not going to pay much attention to, sorry. I know the problems with what some of these people have to face, but trust me others have it a lot worst, like those tribes who face genocide, or the Christians who are being persecuted by others.

 

[4elise]

Yes I am serious about choice. Even in the face of genocide a people have a chance and a choice to flee or fight back! An innocent child does not. The problem again that I have is that “global warming” has been made the TOP priority in the list of moral ethics in thie world, this is WRONG, because there are far worst things in this world than global warming. Should we focus some attention on this matter? Yes of course, and I applaude those who do what must be done in this matter, but again this movement is now being used as the real smoke screen to promote polulation control, thats what you are not getting, you only are assuming that I am some ultra-right wing conservative who could care less about the earth, this is not true what so ever, and I do my part in helping to keep a clean environment.

I think it is easy to think others have choices - if they do not perceive a choice - then no choice exists. A parent who watches their child die of disease (preventable in other places) or from malnutrition in Africa has no choice. And this child is as precious to our loving father as the unborn.

Working to end abortion does not keep one from also working to stop their personal impact on climate change - or for those of us who have choices of what to buy, to try to make choices that keep that family in Africa in consideration.

Also the problem with supporting some of these organizations is that they also promote or support in some way or another abortion, gay-rights, and other Anti-Christian agendas, although not all, but most of them do.

Once again I do encourage anyone that wants to promote a better world and have no problem with it, if it’s approached with the right mind set. Anyting comming out of Boston college I am not going to pay much attention to, sorry. I know the problems with what some of these people have to face, but trust me others have it a lot worst, like those tribes who face genocide, or the Christians who are being persecuted by others.

I think it is sad when someone can discount out of hand information and resources because of associations or worse, perceived associations, to some unspoken agenda. And as I have tried to clarify - the OP was to stress that the Catholic Church has a position that does not support population control as a means to address climate change - and I believe our role - it to speak about the Catholic Perspective - all people’s lives are valuable, but anti-life means to deal with climate change are NOT the answer.

It is the HOLY FATHER WHO SAID (in a quote I previously listed):*** “environmental issues, particularly those related to climate change, are global issues and need to be addressed on a global level.”***

 

[archangel04]

I think it is easy to think others have choices - if they do not perceive a choice - then no choice exists. **A parent who watches their child die of disease (preventable in other places) or from malnutrition in Africa has no choice. And this child is as precious to our loving father as the unborn. **
A sad situation indeed, but a child who dies of a natural cause is the Will of God, not becuase some other person went up to him and killed the child.

Working to end abortion does not keep one from also working to stop their personal impact on climate change - or for those of us who have choices of what to buy, to try to make choices that keep that family in Africa in consideration.
I agree nothing wrong with that, but again I feel that you are assumming that I am totally against saving the environement.

I think it is sad when someone can discount out of hand information and resources because of associations or worse, perceived associations, to some unspoken agenda. And as I have tried to clarify - the OP was to stress that the Catholic Church has a position that does not support population control as a means to address climate change - and I believe our role - it to speak about the Catholic Perspective - all people’s lives are valuable, but anti-life means to deal with climate change are NOT the answer.

It is the HOLY FATHER WHO SAID (in a quote I previously listed):*** “environmental issues, particularly those related to climate change, are global issues and need to be addressed on a global level.”***

Any group that is associated with promoting or encouraging abortion, gay rights, or anything that is against the Church looses my support, basically because I hold the Church that Jesus Christ instituted at the highest level. Also our primary role or goal in this life is the strive to make it to heaven, but also to bring more souls to God, everything else is second.

 

[tpw]

Kimmie Little -

Believe it or not we are a church which believes in working with governments. If CRS is using donations to assist them in lobbying Congress to support their work, what’s the difference? The generosity of individuals alone can’t possibly address the totality of situations and demands to which CRS responds. I encourage you to actually look at CRS’s website and try to think through what is actually involved in addressing the international crises which it embraces.

Anyone who tells you that government has no role in matters like providing international aid is either intentionally ignorant or has an agenda that should become immediately suspect.

The church has always insisted that governments have a role to play in promoting the common good. The forces of “anti-government” typically over-step their bounds and spew reactionary and inflammatory rhetoric as opposed to proposing thoughtful commentary. It’s sad that thoughtful Republicans and Democrats now find themselves in the sites of this woeful group of people. Even sadder is that they manage to manipulate other thoughtful and responsible people with their agenda rooted in profound historical ignorance and an agenda which is alarming.

Archangel:

If by “thinking right thoughts” you mean thinking with the church - I embrace that. If you mean “thinking right thoughts” necessarily means supporting the Republican Party - good luck. Not going to happen in my lifetime. The promoters of laissez-faire capitalism indirectly contribute to infant mortality and abortion by allowing the “utility of market conditions” to become the sole factor in determining the value of anything… Their hands are not clean by any stretch of the imagination.

And that too my friend is a Catholic position. Read the documentary history of Catholic social teaching or the Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine for an excellent lesson on the church’s historical suspicion of “free-market-capitalism-as-the-path-to-salvation” line.

Because I don’t support the extremist wing of the Democratic Party that favors unrestricted abortion, I’ve been a part of Democrats for Life for several years now. Providing an adequate support system is essential to substantially reducing abortion.

It’s simply a matter of embracing the same principle (pro-life) and choosing different means of applying it. And that’s the Catholic way.

Elise4:

I think we’re in close agreement.

tpw

 

[tpw]

MPI -
Better send a letter to the Pope and the USCCB who’ve been persuaded by the evidence - not empty political rhetoric - that there is an environmental crisis and their immortal souls are in danger because the green movement is nothing but a haven for disaffected Marxists…

I’m sure that would make it to the appropriate file in a Vatican office…

 

[tpw]

4elise:

Here’s the link to Georgetown Press…

press.georgetown.edu/

I don’t have a problem working on many issues. I’ve only found that when I personally take on too much I don’t deal with things effectively…

 

[tpw]

Archangel:

There are certainly groups who work towards social change - especially for folks on the margin - who do work on issues that the church doesn’t necessarily support.

I wonder how many pro-life groups support the death penalty, unlimited international arms trafficking, the use of nuclear weapons - all things opposed by the church. Maybe they too should be investigated and funding cut from church collections as needed.

And I wonder if pro-life groups should work with Muslims who also happen to oppose abortion, but certain don’t embrace Jesus as divine? Maybe the Vatican shouldn’t work on international coalitions with those who aren’t in “lock-step” with everything the church teaches.

It’s not a perfect world by any means…but as has been said many times “The enemy of the good is the perfect”…

 

[4elise]

Any group that is associated with promoting or encouraging abortion, gay rights, or anything that is against the Church looses my support, basically because I hold the Church that Jesus Christ instituted at the highest level. Also our primary role or goal in this life is the strive to make it to heaven, but also to bring more souls to God, everything else is second.

I just don’t know what group you are talking about.

We live in this world while we breath - while we live in this world the needs of all people matter - and we should all work for the common good, this is the teaching of the Church that was founded by Jesus Christ, as he taught over and over in parable after parable - the good samaritan, he boiled the entire law down to ‘we should love God above all and love each other as ourselves’ - if we love each other - (all ‘each others’) then the well being all people (living today, born and unborn - and those yet to be born who will live here generations to come) - their lives matter — and our DAILY CHOICES matter because every choice we make impacts not only us but the others we are called to love.

And to the words of the Holy Father on this topic - any comments?

 

[4elise]

4elise:

Here’s the link to Georgetown Press…

press.georgetown.edu/

I don’t have a problem working on many issues. I’ve only found that when I personally take on too much I don’t deal with things effectively…

Thank you…
I completely understand, my reaction was in response to the many who have responded to this topic as though we can not work to do what we can on climate change until abortion is ended…

I think that God works through us all to see the work done in the world - and since there is so much work to be done - we do have the opportunity to spread it out between us all… Blessings

 

[4elise]

Kimmie Little -

Believe it or not we are a church which believes in working with governments. If CRS is using donations to assist them in lobbying Congress to support their work, what’s the difference? The generosity of individuals alone can’t possibly address the totality of situations and demands to which CRS responds. I encourage you to actually look at CRS’s website and try to think through what is actually involved in addressing the international crises which it embraces.

Anyone who tells you that government has no role in matters like providing international aid is either intentionally ignorant or has an agenda that should become immediately suspect.

The church has always insisted that governments have a role to play in promoting the common good. The forces of “anti-government” typically over-step their bounds and spew reactionary and inflammatory rhetoric as opposed to proposing thoughtful commentary. It’s sad that thoughtful Republicans and Democrats now find themselves in the sites of this woeful group of people. Even sadder is that they manage to manipulate other thoughtful and responsible people with their agenda rooted in profound historical ignorance and an agenda which is alarming.

Archangel:

If by “thinking right thoughts” you mean thinking with the church - I embrace that. If you mean “thinking right thoughts” necessarily means supporting the Republican Party - good luck. Not going to happen in my lifetime. The promoters of laissez-faire capitalism indirectly contribute to infant mortality and abortion by allowing the “utility of market conditions” to become the sole factor in determining the value of anything… Their hands are not clean by any stretch of the imagination.

And that too my friend is a Catholic position. Read the documentary history of Catholic social teaching or the Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine for an excellent lesson on the church’s historical suspicion of “free-market-capitalism-as-the-path-to-salvation” line.

Because I don’t support the extremist wing of the Democratic Party that favors unrestricted abortion, I’ve been a part of Democrats for Life for several years now. Providing an adequate support system is essential to substantially reducing abortion.

It’s simply a matter of embracing the same principle (pro-life) and choosing different means of applying it. And that’s the Catholic way.

Elise4:

I think we’re in close agreement.

tpw

very well said - have you read anything by Jim Wallace - Fr. Ronald Rolheiser commented on Wallace’s balance between right and left / noted that he has done a great job clarifying that it is possible to take the faith based perspective in politics - neither right or left… Blessings

 

[kimmielittle]

Kimmie Little -

Believe it or not we are a church which believes in working with governments. If CRS is using donations to assist them in lobbying Congress to support their work, what’s the difference?

If Catholic Relief Services is funding lobbyists without our consent …It is dishonest in the worst case…mismanagement in the best case… in using our monies. IMHO.

Catholic Relief Services - is for what the very name implies. It is not Called Catholic Lobbyists Support Services.

While it is true Catholics work within Governments. Governments are voted on…held responsible…for what they represent.

Lobbyists, are “behind closeted doors” As such, They are free to lobby whatever they wish…AND can state publicly what they stand for but lobby privately against what they have publicly stated.

We have no idea…NOR does Catholic Relief Services…just what they privately lobby for.

The generosity of individuals alone can’t possibly address the totality of situations and demands to which CRS responds. I encourage you to actually look at CRS’s website and try to think through what is actually involved in addressing the international crises which it embraces.

I have…I’m the one who found out they support lobbyists…AND proved it here.

Anyone who tells you that government has no role in matters like providing international aid is either intentionally ignorant or has an agenda that should become immediately suspect.

ANY group that has lobbyist…IS AGENDA DRIVEN. …No suspecting - about it.

The church has always insisted that governments have a role to play in promoting the common good. The forces of “anti-government” typically over-step their bounds and spew reactionary and inflammatory rhetoric as opposed to proposing thoughtful commentary.

Show us some thoughtful commentary from IPCC. Show us some thoughtful commentary fom Governments on board with Cap and Trade…Population Control…Carbon Credits…that promote AGW…Man made Global Warming, to justify these schemes.

Whom has inflammed the rhetoric?

Librals seem to think it’s governments who seek the “Common Good”. Individual Responsiblity, is the only Truth in seeking the “Common Good”. History, itself, as proved this over and over again. See: Roe V Wade…See: Jim Crow…See: Hiltler…See; Roman attrosities …and on and on ]

It’s sad that thoughtful Republicans and Democrats now find themselves in the sites of this woeful group of people.

It is sad that liberals fully embrace the whole of IPCC…Al Gore …Mann. Hansen… Kurt…et al…as Compassionate.

Even sadder is that they manage to manipulate other thoughtful and responsible people with their agenda rooted in profound historical ignorance and an agenda which is alarming.

We get the saddest rhetoric from people who try to paint Jesus as some liberal thinking or acting Person while here on earth. Just where in your Bible does Jesus say Compassion triumphs over Truth?** I see where Truth is tempered with Compassion…I.e… “Go and sin no more”…etc etc.** BUT NO PLACE in my Bible does it say that Compassion is equal … Or above Truth. It is liberals that want us to believe that Compassion is on equal or better footing than Truth. IMHO.

Be Very careful with False Compassion. mikeadkins.com/article/bi…assionpart-ii/ and mikeadkins.com/article/bi…passionpart-i/

To call us “manipulated” because we don’t believe your and others hyperbole / unfounded / unproved / corrupted / manipulated / agenda driven… falsehoods about AGW …Speaks volumes, to me.

 

[archangel04]

Kimmie Little -

Archangel:

If by “thinking right thoughts” you mean thinking with the church - I embrace that. If you mean “thinking right thoughts” necessarily means supporting the Republican Party - good luck. Not going to happen in my lifetime. The promoters of laissez-faire capitalism indirectly contribute to infant mortality and abortion by allowing the “utility of market conditions” to become the sole factor in determining the value of anything… Their hands are not clean by any stretch of the imagination.

And that too my friend is a Catholic position. Read the documentary history of Catholic social teaching or the Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine for an excellent lesson on the church’s historical suspicion of “free-market-capitalism-as-the-path-to-salvation” line.

Because I don’t support the extremist wing of the Democratic Party that favors unrestricted abortion, I’ve been a part of Democrats for Life for several years now. Providing an adequate support system is essential to substantially reducing abortion.

It’s simply a matter of embracing the same principle (pro-life) and choosing different means of applying it. And that’s the Catholic way.

Elise4:

I think we’re in close agreement.

tpw

I don’t think I ever mention that I am a Republican or Democrat, if I was not clear enough I apologize. I don’t stick to one party, but I am sorry at the moment the Democrats (in my view) are the party of death. You are right the Republicans are not free from err, hence why I didn’t vote for eighter in '08. I have been educated, in my opinion, on the social teachings of the Church, and what a beutiful teaching we have, but guess what? That teaching is only a small part of the grand picture we call the Catholic Church. You keep saying “And that’s the Catholic way” is this by your standards? Even if I didn’t do anything to promote “save the environment” (which I do by doing my small part) this would not make me any less of a Catholic.

 

[archangel04]

Archangel:

I wonder how many pro-life groups support the death penalty, unlimited international arms trafficking, the use of nuclear weapons - all things opposed by the church. Maybe they too should be investigated and funding cut from church collections as needed.And I wonder if pro-life groups should work with Muslims who also happen to oppose abortion, but certain don’t embrace Jesus as divine? Maybe the Vatican shouldn’t work on international coalitions with those who aren’t in “lock-step” with everything the church teaches.
It’s not a perfect world by any means…but as has been said many times “The enemy of the good is the perfect”…

This really does not make any sence. Here now, and correct me if I am wrong, you are holding pro-life movemnet equal to saving the envorionment, and that’s just incorrect. Thousands of innocents babies are silenced before they even had a chance at life outside the whomb. You can argue all you want, but if we were to ask Christ, “Dear Lord do you want us to fight abortion firsrt, or have a cleaner environement?” I think we know what He would want us to do first. AGAIN and I mean AGAIN to make myself clear, if you want to dedicate more time on the issue of global warming and as long as you attack that problem with a Catholic mentality than so be it, I applaud you for it, but the problem of abortion still is the #1 problem in this country and even the world. By the way to support the death penalty is not a sin and here is what the catechism says:
2267 Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor. If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person. Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically non-existent

We live in this world while we breath - while we live in this world the needs of all people matter - and we should all work for the common good, this is the teaching of the Church that was founded by Jesus Christ, as he taught over and over in parable after parable - the good samaritan, he boiled the entire law down to ‘we should love God above all and love each other as ourselves’ - if we love each other - (all ‘each others’) then the well being all people (living today, born and unborn - and those yet to be born who will live here generations to come) - their lives matter — and our DAILY CHOICES matter because every choice we make impacts not only us but the others we are called to love.

 

[archangel04]

If Catholic Relief Services is funding lobbyists without our consent …It is dishonest in the worst case…mismanagement in the best case… in using our monies. IMHO.

Catholic Relief Services - is for what the very name implies. It is not Called Catholic Lobbyists Support Services.

While it is true Catholics work within Governments. Governments are voted on…held responsible…for what they represent.

Lobbyists, are “behind closeted doors” As such, They are free to lobby whatever they wish…AND can state publicly what they stand for but lobby privately against what they have publicly stated.

We have no idea…NOR does Catholic Relief Services…just what they privately lobby for.

I have…I’m the one who found out they support lobbyists…AND proved it here.

ANY group that has lobbyist…IS AGENDA DRIVEN. …No suspecting - about it.

Show us some thoughtful commentary from IPCC. Show us some thoughtful commentary fom Governments on board with Cap and Trade…Population Control…Carbon Credits…that promote AGW…Man made Global Warming, to justify these schemes.

Whom has inflammed the rhetoric?

Librals seem to think it’s governments who seek the “Common Good”. Individual Responsiblity, is the only Truth in seeking the “Common Good”. History, itself, as proved this over and over again. See: Roe V Wade…See: Jim Crow…See: Hiltler…See; Roman attrosities …and on and on ]

It is sad that liberals fully embrace the whole of IPCC…Al Gore …Mann. Hansen… Kurt…et al…as Compassionate.

We get the saddest rhetoric from people who try to paint Jesus as some liberal thinking or acting Person while here on earth. Just where in your Bible does Jesus say Compassion triumphs over Truth?** I see where Truth is tempered with Compassion…I.e… “Go and sin no more”…etc etc.** BUT NO PLACE in my Bible does it say that Compassion is equal … Or above Truth. It is liberals that want us to believe that Compassion is on equal or better footing than Truth. IMHO.

Be Very careful with False Compassion. mikeadkins.com/article/bi…assionpart-ii/ and mikeadkins.com/article/bi…passionpart-i/

To call us “manipulated” because we don’t believe your and others hyperbole / unfounded / unproved / corrupted / manipulated / agenda driven… falsehoods about AGW …Speaks volumes, to me.

I completly agree with you. I always find it funny when “liberals” not even sure if that word applies anymore, make Jeusus as some free spirit hippie. Yet he clearly states that he did not come to this world to bring peace, but becuse of him father would go against son, and brother against brother… Another thing I always keep hearing from these groups is about “the commong good” yet I never get a clear definition on what do they mean by that

 

[4elise]

This really does not make any sence. Here now, and correct me if I am wrong, you are holding pro-life movemnet equal to saving the envorionment, and that’s just incorrect. Thousands of innocents babies are silenced before they even had a chance at life outside the whomb. You can argue all you want, but if we were to ask Christ, “Dear Lord do you want us to fight abortion firsrt, or have a cleaner environement?” I think we know what He would want us to do first. AGAIN and I mean AGAIN to make myself clear, if you want to dedicate more time on the issue of global warming and as long as you attack that problem with a Catholic mentality than so be it, I applaud you for it, but the problem of abortion still is the #1 problem in this country and even the world.

Let me clarify: the topic of climate change that the Church is talking about is not about saving ‘the environment’ - it is about PEOPLE, saving PEOPLE - like unborn children, people around the world with a right to life, the change to their homes, their ability to provide for their families, the impact on diseases. It is the perspective that the Catholic Church brings to this topic - climate change is about PEOPLE. The Church speaks about all life issues - abortion, end of life issues, it ALL matters.

The Holy Father - the leader of our Church - repeatedly stresses the importance of our action on the issue of climate change BECAUSE of the impact on PEOPLE. I can find no directive that says pay attention and solve the issue of abortion first, then face these other problems - we have to be working on all these issues because ALL PEOPLE’s LIVES ARE EQUALLY VALUABLE TO GOD.

By the way to support the death penalty is not a sin and here is what the catechism says:
2267 Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor. If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person. Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically non-existent

Read what you posted again - the section now in bold is the teaching of the Catholic Church - because we can in our society “render one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm” then the necessity of the execution of the offender is practically non-existent.

Well really can’t argue with that statement. One question though, what is the common good? Is it to save as much souls, so they too can one day partake at the eternal feast? or compromising with those who don’t agree with the Catholic way?

Perhaps this will help: (next post)

 

[4elise]

II. THE COMMON GOOD

1905 In keeping with the social nature of man, the good of each individual is necessarily related to the common good, which in turn can be defined only in reference to the human person:

• Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together.25 *

1906 By common good is to be understood "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily."26 The common good concerns the life of all. It calls for prudence from each, and even more from those who exercise the office of authority. It consists of three essential elements:

1907 First, the common good presupposes respect for the person as such. In the name of the common good, public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person. Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation. In particular, the common good resides in the conditions for the exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the development of the human vocation, such as "the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard . . . privacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion."27

1908 Second, the common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself. Development is the epitome of all social duties. Certainly, it is the proper function of authority to arbitrate, in the name of the common good, between various particular interests; but it should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, health, work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on.28

1909 Finally, the common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order. It presupposes that authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the security of society and its members. It is the basis of the right to legitimate personal and collective defense.

1910 Each human community possesses a common good which permits it to be recognized as such; it is in the political community that its most complete realization is found. It is the role of the state to defend and promote the common good of civil society, its citizens, and intermediate bodies.

1911 Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading throughout the world. The unity of the human family, embracing people who enjoy equal natural dignity, implies a universal common good. This good calls for an organization of the community of nations able to "provide for the different needs of men; this will involve the sphere of social life to which belong questions of food, hygiene, education, . . . and certain situations arising here and there, as for example . . . alleviating the miseries of refugees dispersed throughout the world, and assisting migrants and their families."29

1912 The common good is always oriented towards the progress of persons: "The order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around."30 This order is founded on truth, built up in justice, and animated by love.

 

[archangel04]

Let me clarify: the topic of climate change that the Church is talking about is not about saving ‘the environment’ - it is about PEOPLE, saving PEOPLE - like unborn children, people around the world with a right to life, the change to their homes, their ability to provide for their families, the impact on diseases. It is the perspective that the Catholic Church brings to this topic - climate change is about PEOPLE. The Church speaks about all life issues - abortion, end of life issues, it ALL matters.
Wont argue with that
The Holy Father - the leader of our Church - repeatedly stresses the importance of our action on the issue of climate change BECAUSE of the impact on PEOPLE. I can find no directive that says pay attention and solve the issue of abortion first, then face these other problems - we have to be working on all these issues because ALL PEOPLE’s LIVES ARE EQUALLY VALUABLE TO GOD.
Again good point

Read what you posted again - the section now in bold is the teaching of the Catholic Church - because we can in our society “render one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm” then the necessity of the execution of the offender is practically non-existent.
Although this is off topic this statement is not true. Our prisons are not 100% secure. Many death row and lifers are a hure danger to the public, other inmates, and especially prison staff. I know many officers who have almost been killed by people who have life in prison. Do the lives of other inmates and prison staff not count? I won’t argue much this point because I know it
s off topic, but also many other countries can’t afford high-end prisons like ours.

 

[4elise]

4elise;6816416:

Let me clarify: the topic of climate change that the Church is talking about is not about saving ‘the environment’ - it is about PEOPLE, saving PEOPLE - like unborn children, people around the world with a right to life, the change to their homes, their ability to provide for their families, the impact on diseases. It is the perspective that the Catholic Church brings to this topic - climate change is about PEOPLE. The Church speaks about all life issues - abortion, end of life issues, it ALL matters.
Wont argue with that

The Holy Father - the leader of our Church - repeatedly stresses the importance of our action on the issue of climate change BECAUSE of the impact on PEOPLE. I can find no directive that says pay attention and solve the issue of abortion first, then face these other problems - we have to be working on all these issues because ALL PEOPLE’s LIVES ARE EQUALLY VALUABLE TO GOD.
Again good point

Read what you posted again - the section now in bold is the teaching of the Catholic Church - because we can in our society “render one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm” then the necessity of the execution of the offender is practically non-existent.
Although this is off topic this statement is not true. Our prisons are not 100% secure. Many death row and lifers are a hure danger to the public, other inmates, and especially prison staff. I know many officers who have almost been killed by people who have life in prison. Do the lives of other inmates and prison staff not count? I won’t argue much this point because I know it
s off topic, but also many other countries can’t afford high-end prisons like ours.

Thank you my friend - I know protecting life is what it is all about - here in the US this is where our resources should be used - and advocated for by those of us blessed with this common faith… wishing you a very blessed day.

 

[Tigg]

Believe it or not we are a church which believes in working with governments. If CRS is using donations to assist them in lobbying Congress to support their work, what’s the difference? The generosity of individuals alone can’t possibly address the totality of situations and demands to which CRS responds. I encourage you to actually look at CRS’s website and try to think through what is actually involved in addressing the international crises which it embraces.

What’s the difference? I am simply astounded by your comment because it is, by now, legendary that the interaction of many “Catholic” organizations (like CRS and Catholic Charities) with various and sundry political groups and community organizers, ARE, under the guise of “social justice, family planning and women’s reproductive health,” funding abortions and providing contraception on an international scale. I suggest you research the ties between CRS and the Gates and Howard Buffet Foundations which are two of the wealthiest and most anti-life forces in the world and the very greatest promoters of population control which is being done hand-in-hand with government. Also see the community organizing of IAF and their “political work” (by their own admission) which has been funded in the past by our bishops. The links have been posted over and over again on various threads in this forum, so I won’t even bother.

The plea of ignorance from the episcopate that they did not know these groups fund causes antithetical to the most basic of church teaching, is, quite frankly, getting a little thin by now. Cooperation with evil or tolerance of the same is not an option for us.

Regarding climate change, it is obvious that even the scientists do not agree, so with that level of uncertainty, I’m a little confused as to why the progressives in the Church have been so adamant about this particular subject. Again, it brings the question to mind……WHO are they listening to? We know the political progressives are working adamantly on Cap and Trade which will significantly impact all our lives by the sheer cost. So I’m trying to reconcile in my own mind the contradiction of supporting Cap and Trade in conjunction with protecting a global climate and showing concern for ALL of God’s people, especially the poor and how they will fare in the cold when they have the least capability of all to heat their homes and stay alive.