Has Laudato si changed you as a Catholic?

[MagdalenaRita]

I know that I’m not the only formerly conservative Catholic who has had a profound evolution because of Pope Francis urgent emphasis on environmental theology.

I am a conservative Catholic and know many conservative Catholics and non Catholic Christians who have cared very deeply about the environment. It is about being a good steward and remembering that every good gift comes from God.

It has nothing to do with being conservative or not.

Laudato si has brought a spiritual illumination to my spirituality. Has anyone else on this forum experienced that?

It is good that it has caused you to draw closer to God and increased your spirituality but…

No, it is the Church and the Gospel of Christ that has changed my life. I care about my surroundings out of my love for God and because He has instructed us to love.

Laudato si to me has only confirmed what I have already heard from God’s Word and…

As others have said, environmental issues and good stewardship issues have been talked about and people have been responding to the issue of caring for the Earth since at least the 1960’s - 1970’s. So many laws and restrictions have been around for a long time that have certainly helped in our care for our environment. I am sure there are more to come.

God bless.

 

[RobertAdams]

It definitely made me feel bad about using the AC so much lol.

I thought it was pretty good. I already was pretty into the environment. After it came out I looked into Catholic environmental charities to see if I could help/donate and found there wasnt a whole lot out there. That was kind of a bummer.

 

[Emeraldlady]

Remember: it’s only political if you disagree with it. To be conservative is to maintain what exists. To care for it, defend it. The Church is certainly worthy of conservation. So is creation.

Strange that the OP has not spoken - but you have.

Very curious…

Conservatism is no longer in touch with its ethical core. It seeks now to conserve the ways and means that generate wealth for the money and power hungry elites over conserving gospel and ethical behaviours regarding the world. Conservatism among modern Catholics seeks to conserve uniquely counter reformation harshness of condemnation of others, over Scriptural commands to love and mercy. There is a murky overlap between the two realms as we are witnessing the growth of wealth and power based Catholic corporatism. ie Napa Institute, Lepanto, Ave Maria corporation etc. This is definitely not my take on conservative Catholicism.

 

[StudentMI]

I think that’s an oversimplification. To use a single example, take Fr Regis Scanlon. Very conservative, very vocal. He ministers in prison and to AIDS patients.

 

[Emeraldlady]

Emeraldlady:

I know that I’m not the only formerly conservative Catholic who has had a profound evolution because of Pope Francis urgent emphasis on environmental theology.

I am a conservative Catholic and know many conservative Catholics and non Catholic Christians who have cared very deeply about the environment. It is about being a good steward and remembering that every good gift comes from God.

It has nothing to do with being conservative or not.

Pope Francis is calling for more than passive, theoretical ‘caring’. We are meant to advocate as Catholics, against consumerism and the corporate greed that is responsible for unethical use of the environment. We should be “painfully aware” about the destruction of the environment because of human behaviour and actively advocate for change.

Laudato si to me has only confirmed what I have already heard from God’s Word

The word of God regards human greed as idolatry no less. Yet it seems that while there was passionate stirrings regarding the little carved woman belonging to the Amazons, there is nothing near that sort of passionate outcry about the greed of wealthy countries that are destroying the environment and the livelihood of poorer countries and societies. There is glaring hypocrisy there.

 

[Emeraldlady]

Why not address the topic of the thread with regard to laudato si? Ad hominems designed to get the thread closed are pettyl.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

Pope Francis is calling for more than passive, theoretical ‘caring’. We are meant to advocate as Catholics, against consumerism and the corporate greed that is responsible for unethical use of the environment. We should be “painfully aware” about the destruction of the environment because of human behaviour and actively advocate for change.

I agree it is not about just theoretical caring. I don’t think I have ever seen it be just about theoretical caring. As I said earlier, at least since the 1960’s, there have been changes made and laws enacted, to protect the environment and these laws and restrictions have done very, very well and will continue to do so.

The word of God regards human greed as idolatry no less. Yet it seems that while there was passionate stirrings regarding the little carved woman belonging to the Amazons, there is nothing near that sort of passionate outcry about the greed of wealthy countries that are destroying the environment and the livelihood of poorer countries and societies. There is glaring hypocrisy there.

Yes, greed is one form of idolatry that we should avoid as it is a sin against God.

As I said earlier, environmenmental caring and conservation is not a new concern. There is no reason why we can’t be concerned about both, the little carved woman and the environment.

 

[Emeraldlady]

My bad, I didn’t realize this had anything to do with Laudato Si. I didn’t realize that the document made these kinds of jabs at people.
[/quote]

Why are you trying to shut down this thread? Interesting…

 

[po18guy]

OK, being immune suppressed, must exit toxic thread!!!

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I agree and also do what I can to lessen the pollution I contribute to the globe

Do the best we can for what we have is the most we can do.

Requiring society to do things which are technically impossible can be just as harmful.

 

[Emeraldlady]

Emeraldlady:

Pope Francis is calling for more than passive, theoretical ‘caring’. We are meant to advocate as Catholics, against consumerism and the corporate greed that is responsible for unethical use of the environment. We should be “painfully aware” about the destruction of the environment because of human behaviour and actively advocate for change.

I agree it is not about just theoretical caring. I don’t think I have ever seen it be just about theoretical caring. As I said earlier, at least since the 1960’s, there have been changes made and laws enacted, to protect the environment and these laws and restrictions have done very, very well and will continue to do so.

I’ve just returned from Sunday morning Mass and the salt and light homily which speaks about speaking out as a Christian, to change mindsets and attitudes. The laws and restrictions we have have largely come about through strong advocacy from greenies and against a lot of push back from the corporate sector. We are now called to have more of the greenie mindset. They may have some wacky ways and less than moral attitudes in other areas, but they are right in their approach to the health of our environment as being a serious moral issue. As Catholics we are being called to regard the environment as a prolife issue because of the poor.

Yes, greed is one form of idolatry that we should avoid as it is a sin against God.

As I said earlier, environmenmental caring and conservation is not a new concern. There is no reason why we can’t be concerned about both, the little carved woman and the environment.

But that isn’t happening yet. The outrage against the little carved woman has never been demonstrated anywhere near as ferociously against the greed increasing daily that is so damaging to humankind.

 

[Emeraldlady]

It definitely made me feel bad about using the AC so much lol.

I thought it was pretty good. I already was pretty into the environment. After it came out I looked into Catholic environmental charities to see if I could help/donate and found there wasnt a whole lot out there. That was kind of a bummer.

"Pope Francis repeatedly urges us to renewed and urgent action and honest dialogue about our environment – both social and ecological. “The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together”48, both of which disproportionately affect our poorest brothers and sisters. "

This is what the USCCB instructs. The poor are a really significant focus of Christs teaching even going so far as to say that what we do for them we do for Him and if we ignore them we ignore Him. Just simply from a very basic scriptural understanding, we should be delving with Pope Francis into this urgent issue of how to stop what’s happening to the environment, for the sake of the poor.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

The laws and restrictions we have have largely come about through strong advocacy from greenies and against a lot of push back from the corporate sector. We are now called to have more of the greenie mindset. They may have some wacky ways and less than moral attitudes in other areas, but they are right in their approach to the health of our environment as being a serious moral issue

I won’t be following the “greenies”. The “greenies” might be telling us that they are concerned about the environment as a pro life issue while all the while pushing for abortion and other evil ways of population control. Follow God’s Word, take care of the good gifts given to us by God and we will care for our environment.

A large corporation doesn’t necessarily mean a greedy corporation.

The outrage against the little carved woman has never been demonstrated anywhere near as ferociously against the greed increasing daily that is so damaging to humankind.

I have a feeling we might be speaking differently here because I think there should have been a lot more outrage over the little carved woman being in a Catholic church.

This is what the USCCB instructs. The poor are a really significant focus of Christs teaching even going so far as to say that what we do for them we do for Him and if we ignore them we ignore Him

Yes, we should be about the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

While I agree that we should be good stewards of our environment, if you ask someone living in poverty what they would like right now, it would be food on the table, clothes on their backs and their medications paid for. We need to start there and that is something most people can do.

 

[Emeraldlady]

What I’m sensing from your responses is an effort to douse the spirit of Laudato si so it can go into a dusty cupboard and have no part in renewed Catholic advocacy. I read it as bursting with urgency and the call to be part of real solutions to the growing threat to the global ecology. As the Pope rounding us Catholics up to be a unified moral force for change. Not as right or left leaners, but as Catholics with a mission. We do it with abortion but I’m with Pope Francis in believing that if we are truly unconditionally prolife, anti abortion advocacy would be so much more credible.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

I see it as an affirmation of our need to be obedient to God’s Word and care for every good gift from God and the call to be good stewards of the Earth.

I am not trying to douse it but I am an older woman and I have heard about the urgency of caring for the Earth since a youth. I believe caring for the environment is something that has been happening and needs to continue but that is kind of about it. Though there is an importance involved, I don’t believe it is or should be a top concern over the salvation of souls.

 

[yankeesouth]

I see it as an affirmation of our need to be obedient to God’s Word and care for every good gift from God and the call to be good stewards of the Earth.

Exactly…the teaching of Jesus is to care for all of God’s creation. But so called climate change is a science that is a prudential judgment whereas abortion is evil and will lead to many souls being lost. Liberals talk about greed but what of the greed to promote abortion so already born humans can have a ‘better’ life.

 

[StudentMI]

Right there is your problem. ‘Sensing’, your words.

 

[IsaiahSpirit]

Amen.
The Apostolic Church Teaches that new Teachings are always dependent and in light of the Teaching which came before.
A prime example would be those discussing, QUOD APOSTOLICI MUNERIS
ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON SOCIALISM, overly concentrating on wealth distribution; overlooking that The Teaching shows deep concerns on fostering a moral filial (brotherly) charitable atmosphere; which has always been taught by The Church or that we are all created equal, also.
Or, looking at CENTESIMUS ANNUS the hundredth anniversary of RERUM NOVARUM ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON CAPITAL AND LABOR
without APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO whereby the fostering of moral healthy families the fundamental building block of society is most certainly alluded to in that Writing.
So looking at LAUDATO SI without the light of EVANGELIUM VITAE; along side
“Living The Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics,” by the U.S.C.C.B; and
" ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER JOHN PAUL II AT THE COMMEMORATION OF THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENCYCLICAL “EVANGELIUM VITAE” Monday, 14 February 2000;
there are many extremely apropos to our dire times Teachings that must be discerned holistically.
My family started recycling way before in became popular in the 1970s.
We all wish created in the image and likeness of God have an intrinsic desire to be good stewards of our the earth. We, also, must take into account the data on the environment and ecosystem is debated by well respected scientists, whereby, we know mainstream education, media, political factions who have a large radical secular humanist moral relativist bias hurting the consciences of youth and impressionable;
scoff at those who disagree with extreme claims of some who study the environment.
So we are exposed to a biased atmosphere; whereby few ask, seek, and knock at the other point of view. John Stossel asked both sides to a discussion; those who made the radical claims whereby many of their former predictions did not come true;
would not even come to the table.
I did read parts of the Encyclical. And it is good to have due diligence prudence in addressing those concerns. Fostering a healthy moral mind set in families has always been paramount. Healthy families, make better decisions, better neighborhoods, and better venues in society.
Peace.

 

[flamingpuppet]

Fr. Hardon is way higher on my to-read list than Laudate si.

 

[blackforest]

I won’t be following the “greenies”. The “greenies” might be telling us that they are concerned about the environment as a pro life issue while all the while pushing for abortion and other evil ways of population control.

Except for those of us who are concerned about the issue of the environment as a pro life issue all the while pushing for . . . . pro-life issues. Accordingly to news media - and CAF, apparently - we don’t exist.

The whataboutism of abortion is not really helping the thread. I’m not going to wait until everybody is on my same pro-life page before working with the to improve our planet in crisis.

But so called climate change is a science that is a prudential judgment

“Prudential judgment” is for moral issues not otherwise clarified by the Magisterium. It is not for scientific facts.

Pope Francis is calling for more than passive, theoretical ‘caring’. We are meant to advocate as Catholics, against consumerism and the corporate greed that is responsible for unethical use of the environment.

Building on this, it should be clarified that he’s not simply asking us to recycle, carpool, and avoid littering. All of those are wonderful and necessary actions. But we shouldn’t stop there. Laudato Si is largely focused on what we should do on a more collective level - for example, funding from the international community to develop and expand alternative energy sources.