FROM THE VATICAN

Pope Benedict XVI Addresses Pontifical Academy of Sciences

In his recent, Address to Members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on the Occasion of the Plenary Assembly, Pope Benedict XVI provided an excellent analysis of the need to embrace a cosmic view of the universe and its origins in the “First Being” : [T]he view of the universe taken by Christian philosophy and theology, with its notion of participated being, in which each individual creature, possessed of its proper perfection, also shares in a specific nature and this within an ordered cosmos originating in God’s creative Word. It is precisely this inbuilt “logical” and “analogical” organization of nature that encourages scientific research and draws the human mind to discover the horizontal co-participation between beings and the transcendental participation by the First Being.

He continues: In the great human enterprise of striving to unlock the mysteries of man and the universe, I am convinced of the urgent need for continued dialogue and cooperation between the worlds of science and of faith in the building of a culture of respect for man, for human dignity and freedom, for the future of our human family and for the long-term sustainable development of our planet.

SCHOLARS CONFERENCE WRAP UP

A Catholic Consultation on Environmental Justice and Climate Change

Between November 8-10, 2012, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic University of America, Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies (CUA) and Catholic Coalition on Climate Change co-sponsored a scholars conference titled A Catholic Consultation on Environmental Justice and Climate Change: Assessing Pope Benedict XVI’s Ecological Vision for the Catholic Church in the United States.  The USCCB published a press release about the conference.

The conference was held at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and explored the substance and implications of recent papal teaching—particularly Pope Benedict XVI, building on the witness of his predecessors—on environment and creation, especially the links between natural ecology and human ecology, solidarity and environmental justice, care for creation and care for the poor and vulnerable, and between worship of the Creator and care for creation.  Other topics included Catholic contributions to cosmology and a sacramental vision of Creation. 

The conference began on Thursday, November 8 with a keynote address from Most Reverend Bernard Unabali, Bishop of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.  Bishop Unabali reflected on his work helping to re-settle some of the world’s first “climate change refugees,” inhabitants of the Carteret Islands.  Catholic News Service has published a story about Bishop Unabali. And see another story from CNS which details Bishop Unabali's visit.

At the conclusion of the third session on Friday, November 9, the scholars, moderators, and staff of the co-sponsoring institutions attended Mass celebrated by Most Reverend William S. Skylstad, Bishop Emeritus of Spokane, Honorary Chairperson of the Coalition and Past President of the USCCB.  At the Mass, homilist Bishop Donald Kettler of Fairbanks encouraged the scholars’ work and sharing a story about how rising seas and harsher storms due to climate change are engulfing a village in his diocese.  Several other bishops attended both the conference and celebration of the mass, including: Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice (FL); Bishop John Ricard, Emeritus of Pensacola-Tallahassee; Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento.

The final session on Saturday morning summarized what was learned and outline steps moving forward.  We will post more about this important conference in the weeks ahead.

FROM THE WIRE

America Magazine Editorializes On Climate Change

In the upcoming editorial (November 19) in America magazine, the editors examine the issue of climate change.  They note that Hurricane Sandy was the latest in a series of extreme weather events that the overwhelming majority of scientists say is related to global climate change.  They go on to say that, The decision not to address climate change at all in the presidential campaign now seems foolish.  Both Republicans and Democrats deserve blame for this state of events . . . Until climate change is seen as an issue that affects all Americans, indeed the entire international community, we will fail to make progress in addressing its effects. Climate change is an issue that is vital to the common good and should be treated as such…

…Here is where the Catholic community can help. In an address in 2006, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that climate change is not a political issue but a human one . . . That same year, the U.S. bishops helped launch the Catholic Climate Covenant to bring climate change to the attention of all people of faith. The church directs our attention to where it should be focused: on the poor, who suffer the ravages of climate change more than anyone else.

In conclusion, the editors at America say, Climate change is an issue that transcends borders and demands an international response. The United States can and should play a key leadership role in this effort. Perhaps, moved by the plight of the storm’s victims and prompted by a renewed commitment from people of faith, it will finally assume that responsibility.

FOR REFLECTION

Moral Theologian Reflects on Hurricane Sandy

Jason King, Ph.D., chair of the Theology Department at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, recently reflected about discussing Hurricane Sandy with his undergraduate students.  In Hurricane Sandy—Responding with Love, Dr. King writes:

In discussing the book of Job, the students in my 8:30 class found Job’s friends’ explanation of his suffering to be offensive, almost cruel.  One student commented, “it would be like saying Hurricane Sandy was punishing people for the sins, and that’s messed up.” When I asked these students what the response should be, several of them said that they just wanted to know that God was with them, often through the presence of friends and family.  Good intuitions.  I had felt this when friends and family contacted me as the storm was starting.

The students in my next class—literally my 9:30 class —were discussing solidarity.  They were analyzing the term and agreed with John Paul II’s understanding that “This [solidarity] then is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.”

Given this, Dr. King concludes, My students seem to grasp this obvious and basic response of caritas, and it is what Catholic Charities (and countless others) put into action.  It does not take advanced degrees to figure this out but is what we find when we attend to our restless hearts. It is what God did in Jesus and calls forth from each of us.  Let us hope this love continues to animate all those responding to and living in the wake of Sandy.

COLLEGE CORNER

Briar Cliff College Celebrates Green Week

Briar Cliff University, a Franciscan school in Sioux City, IA, will celebrate its Green Week November 11-15, 2012.  The week will include events to discuss what the campus community is working to reduce waste, the differences between tap and bottled water, and how the University can exercise greater ecological stewardship.

As part of the school’s efforts to integrate Catholic mission-based sustainability into its’ Green Week, On Wednesday evening, Nov. 14, during the BCU Charger basketball games in the Newman Flanagan Center on campus, fans making the Saint Francis Pledge, to show their commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle, receive free “Briar Cliff Goes Green” t-shirts.

Learn more about Green Week at Briar Cliff University here.

To learn more about Coalition partnerships with U.S. Catholic colleges and unverisities, visit our College Resources page and look for Sustainability and Catholic Higher Education: A Toolkit for Mission Integration.