Laudato Si - A Commentary
With the new encyclical “Laudato Si,” Pope Francis lifts the environmental debate into the spiritual realm. The beauty of the document lies in its skillful framing of the issue in moral and spiritual terms while keeping a decidedly natural and human tone. Addressed to all people and regarding our “common home”, this encyclical takes a multifaceted yet balanced approach to
one of the most controversial and polarizing issues of the last century.
Pope Francis draws from undeniable scientific evidence of deteriorating climate change and its effects on humanity, especially the poor. He touches on issues such as pollution, decreased availability of potable water and the extinction of various biological species. These are shown to have the most serious implications for the most vulnerable in society and humanity is therefore encouraged to approach environmental issues from not just a purely scientific or political point of view, but from a spiritual, social and moral one.
Of great concern in this regard is the morality of consumerism and the “throwaway culture”. Humanity’s preoccupation with amassing material goods has been a tremendous driver of environmental decline as the earth is poached of its resources to meet our insatiable need for things. In many places, the poor are reduced to factors of production, forced to endure deplorable work conditions in order to manufacture cheap consumer goods. The Pope laments our loss of concern not just for the planet but for each other.
Humanity’s loss of connectedness is thus another of the major themes discussed in this
encyclical. In an age where technological advancement has facilitated increased
communication over the information super highway, it seems that we have lost touch with
what truly makes us human. Advanced communication technologies have not led to improved communication on a human level with a resultant decline in human relationships. We have therefore lost a sense of communion with each other. Additionally, the numerous distractions of the modern world have led to a loss of communion with our creator. It is then no wonder that other fundamental relationships – with each other and with our ‘common home’ have deteriorated. Pope Francis therefore calls for a restoration of our relationship with God and with each other. Without such a restoration, a reversal of the current trends of environmental destruction cannot be hoped for.
Such a reversal requires a shift in mentality. The Pope points to an attitude of ‘false dominion’ which pervades our thinking in modern times. This can be seen not just in the wanton destruction of the environment to further our materialistic aims but in our devaluation of life to the point where embryonic experiments and abortion are seen as rights despite leading to the destruction of the unborn. There needs to be a shift away from this attitude of dominion towards one of stewardship which should lead us to treat the earth and its inhabitants with respect and dignity, valuing their inherent dignity and not just as means to an end.
It is also important to make practical changes in our daily lives to combat pollution and waste. Pope Francis has always led by example, using public transportation while still a cardinal and eschewing all forms of excess in favour of a simple and modest way of life. He has taken this approach into his papacy as far as is practical given the requirements of his state. He therefore exhorts us to find practical and innovative ways to reduce consumption and lessen the strain on natural resources.
This is therefore a timely document as these issues need to be treated with greater urgency. The attention this encyclical has received in the media attests to the prominence of
environmental issues in the public arena as well as to Pope Francis’ standing as both a spiritual and political leader and thinker. With this encyclical he has focused the attention of an increasingly secular world on the moral and spiritual underpinnings of the environmental debate. Perhaps its greatest achievement will lie not only in calling the human family together to find solutions to these problems but also in calling upon us to once again direct our gaze upwards to restore the lost connection with our heavenly Father who alone can truly heal all ills.
