• Francis has spoken. He has spoken loudly. The Pope’s encyclical had long been in the pipeline, perhaps even as long as nearly two years. Although the environment has often been part of the social teaching of successive Popes, particularly in the last fifty years, Laudato si’ is the first major document which is dedicated solely to this issue. Its subtitle already speaks volumes: On care for our common home. The opening words of the document are not only revealing but a welcome appetizer: “Our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us” (n.1).

    Pope Francis is spot on a plethora of ecological issues, such as pollution and climate change, toxic wastes, today’s ‘throw-away’ culture, limited recycling, global warming and the resultant rise in sea-levels, extreme weather, deforestation, the acidification of the oceans, destruction of ecosystems, rise in carbon dioxide levels, the loss of biodiversity, access to safe drinking water, uncontrolled fishing, etc. It is indeed a tall list.

    The Bishop of Rome addresses the effects of the above on the quality of human life and relationships within society. In other words, the issues he raises do not belong solely to environmentalists or green lobbies. Indeed, he affirms that “a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” (n.49).

    It is impossible to summarize such a rich and comprehensive document which will be available in Maltese on Wednesday. It is there for us to read, to reflect upon and to act accordingly. As Archbishop Scicluna himself affirmed a fortnight ago, let us not read what the news agencies have had to say about it. Laudato si’ is to be read in its entirety. I can say that it is an extremely readable and flowing document. Francis’ documents are written in the way he speaks – direct, prophetic, incisive, crystal-clear.

    Reading the document, you would expect to find plentiful references to Scripture and to the writings and speeches of previous Popes. Yes, it is all there. Yet, I was struck by the importance Francis gives to the vibrant echoes coming from the down-to-earth pronouncements of the local Churches with their own first-hand experience of environment issues. He inserts these grass-roots prophetic contributions in his encyclical.

    The writing is on the wall. It is there for all to see. Our beautiful planet is in pain. Let us give heed to the cry of the earth: We are all responsible. There is something you can do.

    Today, Wednesday 24th June 2015, at 7:00 p.m., at the Seminary in Tal-Virtù, the general public is invited by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, to discover more about the Pope’s Encyclical. Link: http://knisja.org/LaudatoSi   

    Rev.Prof.Hector Scerri

    Theology lecturer, University of Malta