27. To Be Catholic is to Be an Environmentalist

This is the last episode (as far as I can tell) of the Wisdom of Pope Francis podcast. I end with some of my personal thoughts on him and his pontificate. Thanks for listening.  jonnycatholic.wordpress.com

In this latest episode of Wisdom of Pope Francis, I get into the beginning of chapter 1 of Laudato si', the pope's encyclical (letter to the world) on care for the planet, which he calls "our common home." He lays out some of the main environmental problems facing us today and explains how they affect the most poor and vulnerable in our world.  jonnycatholic.wordpress.com https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

In the intro to Laudato si, Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, the pope turns his attention to the model of St. Francis and explains why he is a great model for Catholics when it comes to how we look at environmental issues. The heart of St. Francis' for God's creation should be our hearts as well.  jonnycatholic.wordpress.com https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

Pope Francis begins his letter to the world on the environment (Laudato Si') by pulling together a string of quotes by previous popes, as well as an Eastern Orthodox patriarch, on the importance of not using and abusing the environment. As early as 1971, the Catholic Church has been sounding alarm bells concerning how modern, industrialized nations treat the natural world. With this letter, Pope Francis lends his voice to that same call for humanity to have a right relationship with Creation.   This is one episode in a series exploring Pope Francis' writings in general, and Laudato Si' in particular. If you have any thoughts on this episode or others, feel free to comment at: jonnycatholic.wordpress.com

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Ryan Mayer about Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato si'. Ryan emphasizes the deep, ontological connection we have with each other and with the world around us expressed in the pope's writings. This is the third and last installment of my conversation with Mr. Mayer. Next week, I will dive more deeply into the encyclical itself.  jonnycatholic.wordpress.com

Continuing our introduction on Laudato si', Ryan Mayer explains Pope Francis' view of "creation" versus the secular idea of the "environment." Humans have a God-given role to play in caring for the earth. He also talks about our profound connectedness.  Blog: jonnycatholic.wordpress.com

Before taking a deep dive into Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si', I sit down with Ryan Mayer, who works at the Archdiocese of San Francisco, take a birds-eye view of the letter. Is it a break from what previous Popes have said? How does Pope Francis' style affect how he talks about the environment? Find out in this first installment of our conversation.   Read Laudato Si' for yourself Blog: jonnycatholic.wordpress.com Links to books mentioned in this episode:  The Environment, Pope Benedict XVI Ten Commandments for the Environment, Pope Benedict XVI Letters from lake Como, Romano Guardini Romano Guardini --Laudato Si and Romano Guardini, Bishop Barron

In the last chapter of Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis makes the point that true, stable fraternity is not going to happen "without an openness to the Father of all." (272) The root of all religion is love for God and love for neighbor, he says, and violence has no place in any belief system. Do you agree? Listen and hear his perspective.  jonnycatholic.wordpress.com Fratelli Tutti: http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html Slight Change: In this episode, I used the term "ecumenism" to refer to dialogue among different religions. This was incorrect. Ecumenism is defined as "the principle or aim of promoting unity among the world's Christian Churches", not among every religion.

In chapter 7 of Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis' encyclical on fraternity and friendship in the world, he addresses the need to abolish the death penalty and the lame excuses countries give for going to war.  jonnycatholic.wordpress.com https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html

Pope Francis, in chapter 7 of Fratelli Tutti, explains how to sort through the hardest kind of "encounter" - the kind between two countries, groups, or people who hate each other. He offers an outline of where to begin, what needs to be laid on the table, and what the beautiful fruit of such encounters can be.  jonnycatholic.wordpress.com https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html