By Marilyn Kott
Why should people of faith care about the environment?
That’s just one of the questions Pope Francis set out to answer when he issued the document, “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home,” almost six years ago, on Pentecost Sunday in 2015.
“Send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.” Psalm 104
As a Catholic, and someone who always thought I cared about the environment, I took notice when I learned the pope had written a book on the subject. I did my best to read through it. Not being familiar with papal documents at that point in my life, it was a little bit of a task, and what I learned was to go slowly, re-read, and discuss it with others.
The first thing I noticed was that Pope Francis is far from the only religious figure to speak on this topic. Laudato Si’ is filled with references from Scripture, and from past and present religious thinkers, describing humanity’s relationship with the earth and all that fills it. The main point is that human beings, created in the image of God, are called to imitate God’s generosity by caring for His Creation. Rather than interpretingthe words in Genesis 1:28, “have dominion over the earth,” as license to “plunder” (the pope’s words), we’re invited to fulfill our special place in God’s plan by acting for the good of all Creation, human and non-human, present and future.
So, caring about the environment for a person of faith is a way of honoring God, the One who created and sustains us.
The next thing I noticed is that the document isn’t just about the environment, it’s about poverty. In Laudato Si’, the pope argues that the same human failings which cause us to harm the environment result in harm to each other. Often that harm to humans comes because of harm to the environment. If we think about someone living near polluted rivers and air, we can easily see the connection. The dirty water and air are already harming the plants and animals, and will harm our human brothers and sisters, too. Eventually, it will harm all of us, because everything is interconnected.
So, caring about the environment is also a way of caring for other humans, another way of worshipping the One who created and sustains us.
Then, what’s a person of faith to do?
Although Laudato Si’ does mention actions we might recognize as “good for the environment” like recycling, turning the heat down, and pursuing sustainable production practices, the document is really a call to reexamine our way of thinking. The pope is especially critical of consumerism, and the “throw away” mentality that has come with it. He argues that the pollution and poverty in our world today are often the result of excessive consumerism, and a refusal to be satisfied with “enough.”
And so the Pope invites us to reexamine our relationship with “things,” and return to moderation and simplicity. Because it can be the manufacture, shipping, use and disposal of excessive “things” that cause the rivers and air to become polluted, and to harm the plants and animals, and eventually the people. So, caring about the environment can help us break attachment to excessive material things, and worship instead the One who gives us everything we really need.
The third thing I noticed about Laudato Si’ is that it’s a hopeful, prayerful document. Pope Francis addresses it to “all people of good will” across the world, believers and non-believers alike. He reminds us of the capability we have when we work together, putting our God-given abilities to use for the common good. And he reminds us that the One who created us never abandons us, He will accompany us in our struggles.
In just a few days, on May 24, the Vatican and much of the world will celebrate the sixth anniversary of the release of Laudato Si’ and its call to “ecological conversion.” The timing is no coincidence – Christians across the world will be celebrating Pentecost, being sent out to proclaim the Good News. During that time, I invite you to consider for yourself the intersection of faith and the environment, the connection between all that’s been shared with us, and how we can share it with others.
Marilyn Kott and her husband, Jim, are retired Air Force officers. After their military careers, they served the Catholic Church in Brazil in prison ministry for three years. They are parishioners at The Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, a member of the Redlands Area Interfaith Council.
