Pope calls for action on climate change

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JReducation said:
This is important. The obedience is to the pope, not to the legislation of nations. We are bound to support whatever the pope supports.
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It seems apparent to me that what the pope wants is good stewardship of the earth. Since he has made no specific recommendations about what we should do on global warming the responses we individually take are clearly for us to decide. I don’t believe global warming - if it is even still occurring - is man made, therefore there is no moral obligation for me to support actions proposed on the assumption that man is responsible.

It is also important not to let the discussion expand from global warming specifically into conservation and environmental protection generally. Whatever the truth about smog, pollution, the depredation of the earth, and the exploitation of raw materials, those issues have nothing whatever to do with whether the theory that man made CO2 has raised the temperature of the earth is true. Resist the temptation to get sidetracked.

Ender
 
Ender said:
It seems apparent to me that what the pope wants is good stewardship of the earth. Since he has made no specific recommendations about what we should do on global warming the responses we individually take are clearly for us to decide. I don’t believe global warming - if it is even still occurring - is man made, therefore there is no moral obligation for me to support actions proposed on the assumption that man is responsible.

It is also important not to let the discussion expand from global warming specifically into conservation and environmental protection generally. Whatever the truth about smog, pollution, the depredation of the earth, and the exploitation of raw materials, those issues have nothing whatever to do with whether the theory that man made CO2 has raised the temperature of the earth is true. Resist the temptation to get sidetracked.

Ender
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As long as we are not in conflict with what the Holy Father wants, we are free to do whatever is morally right on this issue and others. In truth, every human being has an obligation to make social decisions that are consistent with the teachings of the Church.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
JReducation said:
:rotfl: You are too funny. Let me help here. Though I usually just muddy the waters.

No opinions means that we never express an opinion that is in conflict with that of authority. However, some superiors are very strict on this and allow no opinions at all, even if you’re supporting one made by authority. But that’s up to the superior.

I’m not so strict. Yes, I am the local superior. My rule is that you may not express any opinions that are in conflict with those of a superior, bishop or post. Other than that, go for it. But if the bishop calls me because you said something dumb, you’re in big trouble.
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Thanks Brother JR! You can’t get any clearer than that. 👍
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JReducation:
I post a lot because this is one of my ministries. My superior has clipped my wings since he found out that I have cancer. I used to run a high school for disabled kids, teach at the seminary, do retreat ministry and serve as spiritual director to diocesan priests.

Now I work on the Gospel of Life for 20 hours a week, teach rel ed to grade 6 one afternoon a week, do youth ministry on Sundays oversee this community, teach the novices, and am responsible for recruiting for and forming the members of the new branch of the community, the Francisan Brothers of Life. This is much easier because the furthest I have to travel is three miles. I used to travel 120 miles per day using public transportation, because we have no cars. I had to ride the train 60 miles each way. Now I can take the bus for three miles or on a nice day, I just walk and save us the money. We don’t have much income. Every little bit helps.
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Glad to see you’ve “cut back.” :eek:
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JReducation:
In february we are having elections. I’m hoping not to be elected superior of this house again. It’s a small house (three of us), but I get very tired and I forget things like paying the bills on time. As superior it is my job to wash the brothers’ clothes, make their beds, prepare their meals, serve them, clean the house for them, shop for groceries and take care of them. But sometimes it becomes difficult.

The other night one of the brothers had a fever. He woke me up to get permission for a Tylenol. I tried to stay with him until he fell asleep. But I fell asleep on the chair next to him. I think, I tucked him in, but I can’t remember. I was very worn out. Anyway, hopefully on Feb 7, we will have a new superior for this house. I pray.

Don’t get me wrong. The brothers try hard. They pick up their clothes and make their beds, take out the garbage and try to take some things off of my plate. But I don’t like it, because it is the superior’s job to do that.

Anyway, going back to the opinion thing. That’s how I manage that. Each superior has the power of discretion on that matter and many other matters. A lot also depends on the personalities that you have in the house. There are some folks that you have to keep your eyes and ears on, because they are impulsive.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
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I will keep you and house in my prayers. Okay…I’m now going to go back to researching vermicomposting…if that doesn’t sidetrack from global warming too much. 🙂
 
rlg94086 said:
Thanks Brother JR! You can’t get any clearer than that. 👍

Glad to see you’ve “cut back.” :eek:

I will keep you and house in my prayers. Okay…I’m now going to go back to researching vermicomposting…if that doesn’t sidetrack from global warming too much. 🙂
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I’m not sure what that is, but it sounds like a dead rat. :eek: Make sure you add a definition when you post. Remember, I do theology, not chemisty. I’m just glad that the code used in scripture doesn’t include atomic weights and such. 😃

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
JReducation said:
I’m not sure what that is, but it sounds like a dead rat. :eek: Make sure you add a definition when you post. Remember, I do theology, not chemisty. I’m just glad that the code used in scripture doesn’t include atomic weights and such. 😃

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
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It is composting of food scraps using worms…very interesting…composting that can even be done in an apartment. I’m thinking of trying it at home…maybe get the kids involved in it so they can learn about the environment.

naturesfootprintinc.com/press/videos/good-morning-america.html
 
JReducation said:
You’re going to take worms into your apartment?

Why does that sound unapealing?

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
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I’m not…I live in a house; however, people do. They are contained, and the system is less smelly than regular garbage. If you like to fish, it is a bonus. 😛
 
rlg94086 said:
I’m not…I live in a house; however, people do. They are contained, and the system is less smelly than regular garbage. If you like to fish, it is a bonus. 😛
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During my younger days I was an avid fisherman. I fished at every opportunity. There is something beautiful about fishing. I think it’s the silence. I am remembering a very special day. My son, who was about foiur at the time, had gone fishing with me. He’s autistic. If you know anything about autistic children, they never hug. However, one day we were sitting on a pier fishing. He walked right up to me and gave me a hug. It was the first and last time he ever did that. Today he’s 21. When you hug him he drapes his arms over you, but does not apply preasure. I would give anything for one of those hugs again.

But that hug taught me a great deal about nature. The natural world has a way of speaking to the soul. I don’t believe in Pantheism. But I do believe that God oeprates through nature. He uses nature as a means to show his love and mercy for man. If we remember the story when the disciples were on the boat and there was a storm. Jesus had fallen asleep. They awoke Jesus. He calmed to waters and the wind. He used nature to show his power and his majesty. This to me is the greatest reason to be good stewards of the natural world. Nature is that sacred space that God has created to be in touch with us.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
miguel said:
Have you ever been to Yosemite JR? Anyone who denies God’s existence has clearly not been to Yosemite (or Big Sur).
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👍

Although…I’m pretty sure a squirrel stole my cool shades on one of my trips to Yosemite. 😃 I can tell you that the first time I bicycled there it was extremely dangerous! Going downhill into the valley as God’s creation unfolds before you is so awe inspiring that I had to remember to keep my eyes on the curves in the road.

(…okay bicycling in the valley with the crowds and cars was even more dangerous… 😛 )

BTW…if you like Big Sur (I used to live in the Monterey area), you should take a trip up here sometime. The Oregon and Washington coasts are incredible! Heaven has got to be like the Pacific Northwest…with more sunny days.
 
miguel said:
Have you ever been to Yosemite JR? Anyone who denies God’s existence has clearly not been to Yosemite (or Big Sur).🙂
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No, I have not. But I hear it’s awesome. I did live in the Amazon for three years as a missionary. It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth . . . my opinion.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
rlg94086 said:
I can tell you that the first time I bicycled there it was extremely dangerous! Going downhill into the valley as God’s creation unfolds before you is so awe inspiring that I had to remember to keep my eyes on the curves in the road.
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A few years ago, we were staying in the valley, and I drove a couple buddies up to Glacier Point so they could bicycle downhill into the valley. We also hiked from the valley to the top of Half Dome (past Vernal and Nevada falls) and back down one day on that trip. I didn’t have any feet left. But that is a gorgeous hike. My daughter and nephew did that with me and my buddies.
rlg94086 said:
BTW…if you like Big Sur (I used to live in the Monterey area), you should take a trip up here sometime. The Oregon and Washington coasts are incredible! Heaven has got to be like the Pacific Northwest…with more sunny days.
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Some day hopefully.
 
JReducation said:
No, I have not. But I hear it’s awesome. I did live in the Amazon for three years as a missionary. It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth . . . my opinion.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
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I don’t doubt it at all.
 
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