The Church and science, Part 7

In this final post in this series on the Church and science, we will look at a few challenges that exist with the Holy Father’s encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si.

Overall, as we hopefully have showed, there is much more positive than negative to the document.  It has a goal, and I hope it is achieved, of bringing the human person back to the center of the discussion in the environment.   Social life has an impact on the environment, and vice versa.   There is just not a world of nature “out there”; there is an internal nature to men and women that needs to factor into discussion of the natural world.    His critique of consumerism and the rapid pace of modern life is certainly worthy of prayerful reflection, as well as his raising attention to some of the negative features of the technological age.   His affirmation of Catholic teaching against forms of population control, and also maintaining the unique dignity of each of the sexes, is noteworthy in an encyclical on the environment.  He points out that other issues, such as resource inequality, are causes of the problems more so than there being too many people in the world.  His perusing of various places in Scripture and Tradition where positive references to the natural world are made, showing it is a gift from God that we must treasure, as well as showing how different doctrines of the Church like the Trinity and the Sacraments also point to, or at least imply, a positive relationship with the environment, are all positive contributions to the current discussion on the environment. 

The main issue with the encyclical, as I see it is as follows.  The Church’s competence is in the area of faith and morals, and a fair amount of this encyclical falls outside that realm, in the realm of science, which is not proper to the Church’s authoritative teaching.   Like we have seen, the Church has a great respect for science.  Many of her members are and have been renowned scientists.   Popes have spoken very highly of scientific endeavors.  However, the Church does not have the authority, in its Magisterial office, to speak authoritatively on matters of science. This is where I fear this encyclical may cross a line.

Few will say that the Pope invoked infallibility here, which he clearly did not.  However, as Catholics, we are called to religious assent, even in non-infallible teachings.   The Catechism states this clearly in paragraph 822 Divine assistance is also given to the successors of the apostles, teaching in communion with the successor of Peter, and, in a particular way, to the bishop of Rome, pastor of the whole Church, when, without arriving at an infallible definition and without pronouncing in a "definitive manner," they propose in the exercise of the ordinary Magisterium a teaching that leads to better understanding of Revelation in matters of faith and morals. To this ordinary teaching the faithful "are to adhere to it with religious assent" which, though distinct from the assent of faith, is nonetheless an extension of it.    I fear that some who read this document will not realize that in matters of science, religious assent is not required.   They may feel they have to because this is, after all, a papal encyclical, assent to everything that is said in there.   I do not believe that that is the case.  This assent is only required in areas of faith and morals, as is clearly outlined in this quote from the Catechism.  

What are some areas where disagreement may occur?  The one that sticks out probably all else is the issue of climate change, which the Holy Father discusses in paragraphs 23-26.  Here are some standout quotes:   A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system…It is true that there are other factors (such as volcanic activity, variations in the earth’s orbit and axis, the solar cycle), yet a number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides and others) released mainly as a result of human activity… Warming has effects on the carbon cycle. It creates a vicious circle which aggravates the situation even more, affecting the availability of essential resources like drinking water, energy and agricultural production in warmer regions, and leading to the extinction of part of the planet’s biodiversity. The melting in the polar ice caps and in high altitude plains can lead to the dangerous release of methane gas, while the decomposition of frozen organic material can further increase the emission of carbon dioxide. Things are made worse by the loss of tropical forests which would otherwise help to mitigate climate change. Carbon dioxide pollution increases the acidification of the oceans and compromises the marine food chain. If present trends continue, this century may well witness extraordinary climate change and an unprecedented destruction of ecosystems, with serious consequences for all of us.

The Holy Father is stating what he deems facts on science here, not faith and morals.  Therefore, because he is not speaking here on faith or morals, these words, while they demand respect and consideration, do not require the level of religious assent that is typical in Magisterial teaching.

Certainly, the vast majority of people in the scientific field agree climate change is occurring.  A smaller majority, however, would agree that that this change is properly termed “warming”.   And even a smaller majority would posit that this climate change, or global warming, is caused by man.  There is not consensus in the scientific community on this issue, especially on the question of whether the change is caused by human activity.  This encyclical does not give credence to the dissenting opinions.  I myself have a hard time believing in “man made” global warming.  I believe the climate is changing, but it is always changing, as it has for the billions of years it has existed, and that that change is caused more by natural process, that have existed for centuries and centuries, than an by anything a generation or two does or does not do on their short stays on this planet.

The other major issue many could find with this encyclical was its positing government as the primary solution to the environmental problems rather than the free market.   The Holy Father speaks in several areas about the positive value of politics, but rarely does he speak about the positive aspects of business.  Yes, there are ruthless businessmen who will do anything for profits, but at their best, businessmen want to make money, and be sustainable for years to come, and to do so, it would be logical to think that they would want to be environmentally and morally friendly.   

However, in this encyclical, the Holy Father tends to speak about only the positives about political, and not the negative, while doing the reverse about free market business solutions.  This quote is noteworthy: Society, through non-governmental organizations and intermediate groups, must put pressure on governments to develop more rigorous regulations, procedures and controls. Unless citizens control political power – national, regional and municipal – it will not be possible to control damage to the environment.    This seems very alarmist and does not seem to respect the great power of the individual and smaller communities to make an impact in the world in their private lives.   Here is another noteworthy quote; A healthy politics is sorely needed, capable of reforming and coordinating institutions, promoting best practices and overcoming undue pressure and bureaucratic inertia.  The Church has for a long time spoken highly of societal institutions like the family and school; quotes like this seem to reflect not having much faith in them, and that they need political/ government intrusion to function properly.

This encyclical, in my opinion, lacks the balance of previous Papal encyclicals on social justice that struck a balance between the extremes of socialism on one hand and a total free market on the other.  This encyclical, in my reading of it at least, leans much more heavily on the side of government regulation to solve problems rather than the free market.

So, those are my thoughts.   In three short posts, I cannot do this lengthy encyclical complete justice, but I hope I have given you all a fair taste of what is in there, both the good, and the controversial.   I hope not only these three posts, but this entire series, has given you a better appreciation for the Church as a great promoter and believer in science, while recognizing that it (science) serves a larger purpose, and that is the physical and moral development of man.  Part of man’s responsibility and growth is being a good steward of the Earth.  Nature, while distinct from God, is a great gift of God that demands our gratitude and respect, in addition to our good stewardship.

I thank you for joining me for this series.  I welcome any comments on any topic that was brought up in this series, or in any of my blog posts.   I will close this post and series with this prayer which was composed by Pope Francis, and are the last words of Laudato Si (Praise be to you!)

Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!

Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature
in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!

Holy Spirit, by your light
you guide this world towards the Father’s love
and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts
and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!

Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you
in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined
to everything that is.

God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.