LAUDATO SI’

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THE PLACE OF LAUDATO SI’

• A theological work• Leaked early – big fuss• Part of Catholic Social teaching and the Magisterium• ‘Adhere with religious assent’• Reactions to my initial blog – big fuss• Some of Francis’ sources – always look at the

footnotes! Teachings of Vatican II, Bd Paul VI, St John Paul II and Benedict XVI

• Method: SEE, JUDGE, ACT!

PROPHECY

• What are prophets• Not predicting the future, but proclaiming God’s

judgement• This is harsh and unrelenting – look at Amos• Not easy stuff• But…there is a message of hope– End of Amos– Isaiah– Jeremiah

DIRE WARNINGS IN LAUDATO SI’

• Read chapter 1• Pollution, water, biodiversity, decline in human

life, breakdown of society• Pope accepts the majority scientific view of the

real dangers arising out of climate change• In line with Church bodies…• ..and his predecessors• Can’t really be a faithful Catholic and a climate

change denier

THEOLOGY AND THE BIBLE IN LAUDATO SI’

• Whole of chapter 2 is an extended scriptural reflection

• Human beings have a ‘sacred responsibility’• Dangers of over-reliance on technology• Man at the centre of the universe• ‘Integral ecology’ – all our teaching needs to

be joined together• The poor suffer most – preferential option

SPECIFIC COURSES OF ACTION

• These are what have really annoyed the political Right

• Church doesn’t have all the answers, but…• …Enforceable international agreements• Businesses need to have environmental

impact assessments for their propositions• A world political authority to regulate this

(Benedict XVI)

LAUDATO SI’, Spirituality and the Trinity

• Final chapter links all this to our spirituality…and the need for education and formation

• Francis writes of our ‘common home’• Language which helps us understand the

doctrine of the Trinity • A place you care about…• LOTS TO BE DONE