The historic roots ” “of environmental awareness

The Encyclical on the environment is nearing its final stages, as the Pope mentioned in the Angelus last Sunday, to which he invited to participate “with a renewed attention to environmental degradation, but also to the recovery of one’s own territory”. The document – due to be published by June 18 – will be addressed to everyone, because everyone, believers and non believers alike, should grow in their responsibility towards the common home that God has entrusted to us all. The Church’s environmental awareness is not of today. Fifty years ago the Council pointed out that in our times we must face question on “the role of man in the universe” (Gaudium et spes, 3). The Council fathers registered widespread awareness: man has grown very powerful owing to his scientific and technological knowledge, but at the same time he appears uncertain when it comes to governing his possessions. The environment stands as an example, as on many occasions man has proven to be not a wise guardian but rather an inconsiderate exploiter, to the extent of impoverishing environmental resources or changing its balances. The Council firmly believed that the fruits of the land should not be placed at the service of few, thereby furthering personal wealth, but rather be available for everyone to enjoy, notably the poor. God has given land to mankind as a whole, and nobody should be lacking basic necessities. In the following years the pontifical Magisterium constantly highlighted the ecological question within the prospect of the Council: the task of man in the universe is to care for the environment following a balanced development. Blessed Paul VI intervened, guarding against the overexploitation of nature, which rose safety issues for mankind, in addition to causing environmental degradation. Saint John Paul II mentioned it on several occasions, stressing man-made disasters, caused by the greed and pursuit of profit of few. In particular, the Pope ascribed the relationship of man with the environment to God’s project of Creation. Land is entrusted to man as he collaborates in bringing forth the project of creation. In fact, man has always tried to improve living species – plant and animal species alike. Conversely, modern exploitation, boosted by consumerism, is an anthropological mistake. Man forgets that he cooperates and becomes its owner. Benedict XVI whom a famous international magazine named “the first green Pope”, also referred to the environment. Sensitive to social issues, he placed environmental protection to the centre of attention international leaders, inviting them to reconsider the current global development model. Nobody should take over land resources, because the entire human family should find what is needed for a dignified life. Pope Francis began his pontificate recalling everyone’s vocation to preserve the entire creation in its variety and beauty. Cultivating and preserving Creation is God’s indication given not only at the dawn of history, but also today, to each and every one of us: it’s part and parcel of His project, it means contributing to responsible global development, transforming it into a garden, a place for everyone to live in. The Church’s attention for this theme has deep roots. But with the Encyclical we are before something new. In fact, until now the environment was addressed as one of many themes contained in Magisterium documents – most of them Encyclical letters -both moral or social, or within broader contexts such as the World Peace Days. Instead today the Pope decided to dedicate a broader, extensive text to the environment, such as the Encyclical. The document is bound to enjoy wide media coverage, also owing to the fact that important international events on climate change are scheduled for the year 2015. The Church’s involvements stems from the specific knowledge it acquires from scholars, but also from her own vision, promoting, at the same time, environmental and human ecology. The environment and mankind are both in danger: the culture of waste sacrifices a part of humanity: the poor, the hungry, the sick – for the pursuit of profit and for consumerism. Human life, the human person, are no longer felt as a primary value to be respected and protected especially when disabled, or not yet needed – as the newborn child – or no longer needed – as the old person. For this reason the Popes have spoken of human ecology, strictly linked to environmental ecology.