Saturday, 6/20/15
In May of 1891 Pope Leo XIII issued the encyclical “Rerum
Novarum,” outlining Labors’ God-given right to living wages. That was a
controversial encyclical, but Pope Francis’ encyclical this week might be more
controversial. For it he borrowed a title from a canticle composed by Francis
Assisi.
The encyclical’s title, “Laudato Si” is borrowed from Francis
Assisi’s canticle “Laudabo Si mi
Signore,”, “I praise you, my Lord.”
Pope Francis, in the encyclical’s introduction, referring to
the earth as our Sister, spoke of the ruin coming on our Sister. He then developed
his theme through six chapters that went like the following.
Chapter One outlines the causes for her ruin. Chapter Two quotes
from the Bible’s concern for the environment. Chapter Three laments over humanity’s
failure in protecting Sister earth. Chapter Four calls attention to the
economic aspects of caring for Sister
earth. Chapter Five outlines ways for us all coming together to save Sister
earth. Chapter Six shows the linkage between ecology and spirituality.
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