The Church Supports Human Dignity And The Common Good

Pope Francis writes that “the church does not have solutions for every particular issue ... she supports those programs which best respond to the dignity of each person and the common good” (Evangelii Gaudium 241).  It was appalling to hear presidential candidates protest Pope Francis’ recent encyclical “On Care For Our Common Home” (“Laudato Si’”) in which he challenges us to care for the earth God has so generously given to us. 

One Catholic politician commented that the pope should keep his nose out of scientific matters, recalling the Church's excommunication of Galileo in the early 1600’s.  He showed his ignorance, being completely unaware that our Holy Father holds a bachelor of science degree in chemistry (imagine that – the pope does know a little something about science!).  That the Church would make the same mistake today as it did in the case of Galileo is simply ludicrous.  It’s an age-old attack to discredit the Church’s credibility when it challenges government policies.  The Church is more enlightened today regarding scientific knowledge. 

We like to compartmentalize our lives – keeping what we do at Mass each Sunday and the message we hear separate from the rest of our daily lives. This is simply not the purpose of any good and true religion, which always seeks to transform our lives.  When our lives are transformed by the Gospel, we can bring change to the world. 

Pope Francis’ main emphasis is the moral responsibility nations and individuals have to care for the environment.  This responsibility is not only a Catholic concern, but is given to all persons inhabiting our planet.  We read in Genesis 2 how God charges Adam (all humankind) to be good stewards of His creation.  This applies to every person alive, whatever religion or no religion, nationality, political party and so on. 

Now we may all disagree with varying opinions about the causes underlying the threat to our environment (acid rain, chemical emissions, climate change, greenhouse gasses, etc.).  But we cannot disagree that every nation and all individuals must work together in searching for solutions to whatever threatens the welfare of our environment.  To do less is to ignore God's charge to Adam and to us in Genesis 2.  However, if we are only concerned with our own salvation and getting to heaven, then we don't need to be concerned about the problems around us.  However, eternal salvation never comes to us by neglecting the good of others and the common good for we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers as Jesus describes so exquisitely in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

As a sign of the Church’s concern for the welfare of others, she has always opened up hospitals, schools and orphanages in every country.  She has never sat around looking just for “pie in the sky” (a Marxist condemnation of Christianity).  Throughout the Church’s long history, she has never been that proverbial ostrich with its head stuck in the sand in hopes of ignoring its surroundings.  The Church in her prophetic role of proclaiming the Gospel leads us to a good life in this world and in the world to come. 

Both worlds are important!  When the Church is silent on certain issues, she is condemned; and when the Church speaks out, she is criticized for sticking her nose in places it doesn't belong.  Now tell me – “What places might those be?” as the Church calls us to live a life in conformity with Christ Jesus for the good of the world.