Interview
The words of Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Archbishop Emeritus of Sao Paulo, in Paris for the International Climate conference. He conveyed the voice of the Catholic Church to the Heads of Government and State, demanding a serious commitment to save planet Earth. “We are lagging behind – he said – this is the time to take binding decisions”.
Time is up. Our planet is sick and the highest price of the floods, desertification and climate change is paid by the poor and by the most vulnerable populations on Planet Earth. It’s time to act. Cardinal Claudio Hummes, archbishop emeritus of São Paulo, President of the Pan-Amazonian Network Church (REPAM) came to Paris to convey this message. One hundred fifty Heads of State and Government, along with experts from 190 world countries, have convened in Paris. They have 15 days – from November 30 to December 11 – to develop a courageous plan to contain climate increase that threatens our societies and our economies. It’s a great challenge. “The climate issue – Cardinal Hummes pointed out – has been a fundamental and decisive question for a very long time. We are lagging behind and the Pope says that this is the moment to take binding decisions. The clock is ticking, and climate change is knocking at our consciences”.
“If things don’t change there will be a catastrophe and the poor will pay the price of this disaster”.
“The consequences of climate change – Hummes said – are felt strongly especially by the most vulnerable populations. Consider for example the problem of increasingly short supplies of water. Or the issue of land desertification leading to increasingly less arable land. The relationship between poverty and devastation of the planet has been given major relevance in Laudato si’“.
Do you truly believe that in the coming days world leaders will have the courage to make binding decisions?
“We hope so. We truly hope there will be binding decisions. There is the fear that in the end it will not happen. But I do hope that new decisions will be made”.
What makes you think this?
“First of all everyone has had direct experience of climate change. There have been worldwide climate disasters, with very hot summers, tempests and floods all over the world. Certain environmental unbalances have escalated dramatically.
It is widely acknowledge that climate has been shattered
Also the publication of the Encyclical of Pope Francis has increased the awareness of these problems. I think that today there is greater willingness to take binding decisions”.
You have been the cardinal who will pass down in history for having asked the Pope, soon after his election, not to forget the poor. Three years have gone by. How do you view Pope Francis?
“It’s a true story. I am very enthusiastic about this papacy. I am favourably impressed by his intelligence, his mercy, and especially by his determination to undertake necessary reforms for the Church and inside the Church. And he is putting them into practice, for example by promoting greater decentralization, by calling upon the Church to be more open, more merciful and more missionary”.
Is he also the object of much criticism?
“No, I don’t think so. Indeed there are some who criticize, but criticism is important. What must not be done is to foment divisions”.
Is he a Pope that divides?
“No! In fact he unites. He unites! But he prompts reflection, and carrying out reforms is normally subjected to a certain degree of criticism. It’s absolutely normal for some people to disagree. But they are a small minority. In fact, the Pope is not a person who causes division since he knows what he is doing and he has good reasons to do so. The Church must live up to the present era, since she lagged behind for some time. She should move with the times. We cannot maintain a position of world condemnation. Jesus said: I have not come to condemn. I have come to save the world. But in order to save humanity,
The Church must be updated. It’s a great challenge. It’s difficult. But history is constantly unfolding and we have to keep up with the pace of history”.
