Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The theme for the Message written by the Holy Father Benedict XVI for the 43rd World Day of Peace, which will be celebrated on January 1, 2010, is entitled “If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation.” The Pope writes: “Respect for creation is of immense consequence, not least because 'creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God's works,' and its preservation has now become essential for the pacific coexistence of mankind. Man's inhumanity to man has given rise to numerous threats to peace and to authentic and integral human development -- wars, international and regional conflicts, acts of terrorism, and violations of human rights. Yet no less troubling are the threats arising from the neglect -- if not downright misuse -- of the earth and the natural goods that God has given us.”
Benedict XVI recalls what he affirmed in the encyclical Caritas in veritate on integral human development, linked to the relationship of man with the natural environment, “seen as God's gift to all people, and the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations.” The Pontiff also cites the various addresses made by his Predecessors on this theme, highlighting the present situation: “Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions?” Among the most urgent problems, the Pope cited the increase in “environmental refugees,” people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it, and the conflicts involving access to natural resources. “All these are issues with a profound impact on the exercise of human rights, such as the right to life, food, health and development,” the Pope says.
The ecological crisis is “closely linked to the notion of development itself and our understanding of man in his relationship to others and to the rest of creation,” the Holy Father says, calling for a “profound, long-term review of our model of development” and a reflection on the purpose of economy and its ends. “Humanity needs a profound cultural renewal; it needs to rediscover those values which can serve as the solid basis for building a brighter future for all” in regards to all the situations of crisis that humanity is currently experiencing “are ultimately also moral crises, and all of them are interrelated,” that oblige people to assume a new lifestyle “marked by sobriety and solidarity, with new rules and forms of engagement.”
After recalling that “nature is a gift of the Creator,” and that “man thus has a duty to exercise responsible stewardship over creation, to care for it and to cultivate it,” the Pope highlights: “Sad to say, it is all too evident that large numbers of people in different countries and areas of our planet are experiencing increased hardship because of the negligence or refusal of many others to exercise responsible stewardship over the environment.” Oftentimes, degradation of the environment comes from a “lack of far-sighted official policies” or the “ pursuit of myopic economic interests, which then, tragically, become a serious threat to creation...To protect the environment, and to safeguard natural resources and the climate, there is a need to act in accordance with clearly-defined rules, also from the juridical and economic standpoint, while at the same time taking into due account the solidarity we owe to those living in the poorer areas of our world and to future generations.”
The Message concludes by highlighting the urgent need for an inter-generational solidarity, “a responsibility that present generations have towards those of the future,” as well as “in relationships between developing countries and highly industrialized countries.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/12/2009)
