The Pontiffs and Their Pontifical Pontifications

A few months ago, the Vatican held a summit focusing on sustainability and the environment.

This led to some post-summit declarations about the climate and human responsibility on the part of workshop participants and the Glorious Pontiff himself.

If current trends continue, this century will witness unprecedented climate changes and ecosystem destruction that will severely impact us all.

"But when we exploit Creation we destroy the sign of God’s love for us, in destroying Creation we are saying to God: 'I don’t like it!. This is not good!' 'So what do you like?' 'I like myself!' – Here, this is sin! Do you see? Custody of Creation is custody of God’s gift to us and it is also a way of saying thank you to God. I am the master of Creation but to carry it forward I will never destroy your gift. And this should be our attitude towards Creation. Safeguard Creation. Because if we destroy Creation, Creation will destroy us! Never forget this!"

-Pope Francis

I find this all wholly (holy?) unsatisfying, and I've at least partly explained my dissatisfaction regarding religious people's recent ecological about-face in a previous post. I mean, he can't mention "global warming" or "climate change" outright, and instead pointlessly meanders around the issue with roundabout "liking ourselves too much and destroying God's gift" nonsense? What the hell is that crap? He makes us sound like children unhappy with holiday gifts we just received. How about describing the problem in plain language, Pontiff, and calling out some past and present influential deniers within the religious community? In fact, how about starting off by cleaning up your own house of worship, and clarifying previous statements by the Church and past Popes which seem to conflict with this latest custodial and safeguarding approach to creation, huh?

"First, then, let it be considered as certain and established that neither Leo nor those theologians who have taught under the guidance and authority of the Church have ever denied or questioned the twofold character of ownership, called usually individual or social according as it regards either separate persons or the common good. For they have always unanimously maintained that nature, rather the Creator Himself, has given man the right of private ownership not only that individuals may be able to provide for themselves and their families but also that the goods which the Creator destined for the entire family of mankind may through this institution truly serve this purpose."

-Pope Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 45

"Genesis relates how God gave two commandments to our first parents: to transmit human life — 'increase and multiply' — and to bring nature into their service — 'Fill the earth, and subdue it.' These two commandments are complementary. Nothing is said in the second of these commandments about destroying nature. On the contrary, it must be brought into the service of human life."

-Pope John XXIII, Mater et Magister, 196-7

"Nothing is said in the second of these commandments about destroying nature." Uh huh, rrrrriiiiigggghhhhtttttt. Because, you know, subduing something always leaves it in a natural state of healthy self-preservation.

Ummmmm, wot?

Can't have a cake baked into the shape of your funny hat, and eat it too, your Papaliness. Doesn't work that way.

"In the very first pages of Scripture we read these words: 'Fill the earth and subdue it.'(19) This teaches us that the whole of creation is for man, that he has been charged to give it meaning by his intelligent activity, to complete and perfect it by his own efforts and to his own advantage.

Now if the earth truly was created to provide man with the necessities of life and the tools for his own progress, it follows that every man has the right to glean what he needs from the earth. The recent Council reiterated this truth: 'God intended the earth and everything in it for the use of all human beings and peoples.'"

-Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio, 22

To be sure, some nature-friendly directives — not many — have been issued by subsequent papacies, but no real reversals or corrections of previous prehistoric declarations or ignorant scripture passages. Just more tormented, disappointing spin about their "true" intent, which fools no one. So, uh, Pope Francis, could we have some clarity here rather than deception about what was really meant by those Holy See decrees and Bible verses, and maybe an apology for all the trouble their archaic, backward sentiment may have caused environmentalists over the years, hmmmmm? Would that be so hard, your Papalitude?

And, since you're supposed to be such a great moral and religious leader, and all that, do you think maybe you could devote some time during your next divine missive to lead these wayward idiots back into your sacred, creation-safeguarding flock? I know they're probably Protestants, and therefore maybe not buying the notion that you are Earth's primary conduit to the Supreme Annunciator, and everything, but one might think you could summon the courage to reach out over denominational lines, and deliver some well-needed dope slaps before, like, uh, creation destroys us, ya know? Your words, your Blessed Eminence, not mine. And thanks in advance for finally not beating around ye ole Burning Bush this time.