Dolentium Hominum N.88

DOLENTIUM HOMINUM No. 88 – year XXX – No. 2, 2015

Journal of the pontifical council for health care workers (for health pastoral care)

Proceedings of the XXX International Conference

Organised by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers

The Culture of Salus and Welcome at the Service of Man and the Planet

19-20-21 November 2015 New Synod Hall Vatican City

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Editor-in-Chief Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski Executive Editor Monsignor Jean-Marie Mupendawatu

Editorial Board Dr. Antonino Bagnato Don Marco Belladelli Dr. Daniel A. Cabezas Gómez Sr. Anna Antida Casolino Professor Maurizio Evangelista Rev. Bonifacio Honings Dr. Beatrice Luccardi Dr. Rosa Merola Mr. Luigi Nardelli Monsignor Jacques Suaudeau

Editorial and Business Offices: Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers (for Health Pastoral Care) 00120 Vatican City; Tel. 06.698.83138, 06.698.84720, 06.698.84799 - Fax: 06.698.83139 e-mail: [email protected] www.holyseeforhealth.net

Published three times a year. Subscription rate: 32 € postage included Printed by Editrice VELAR, Gorle (BG) Cover: Glass window Rev. Costantino Ruggeri Poste Italiane s.p.a. Spedizione in Abbonamento Postale - D.L. 353/2003 (conv. In L. 27/02/2004 nº 46) art. 1, comma 2, DCB Roma

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Editor-in-Chief Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski Contents Executive Editor Monsignor Jean-Marie Mupendawatu

Editorial Board 6 Speech of Greetings Friday 20 November Dr. Antonino Bagnato H. E. Msgr. Zygmunt Zimowski Don Marco Belladelli 44 Waves of Heat and Cold Dr. Daniel A. Cabezas Gómez 7 Address of His Holiness Pope Francis with an Acute Impact on Frail Sr. Anna Antida Casolino Individuals (the Elderly, Children, the Immunosuppressed and Individuals Professor Maurizio Evangelista with Debilitating Pathologies) Rev. Bonifacio Honings Thursday 19 November Dr. Antonio Maria Pasciuto Dr. Beatrice Luccardi 9 Introduzione Dr. Rosa Merola Pastoral Care in Health 47 The Impact of Endocrine Disruptors Mr. Luigi Nardelli and the Promotion of Human Life: on Health Monsignor Jacques Suaudeau the Thirty Years of Activity Prof. Costanzo Moretti of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers 56 Ethics and Legislation on the Environment H.E. Msgr. Zygmunt Zimowski at an International Level Prof. Francesc Torralba 12 Greetings Don Carmine Arice, SSC Round Table Pathways of Dialogue to Safeguard the Life 13 Evangelium vitae Twenty Years On of Man and the Creation Fr. Wojciech Giertych, O.P. 61 1. The Challenges of World Summits 18 A ‘Theology of Life’ in the Work H.E. Mr. Denis Fontes de Souza Pinto of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI His Eminence Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller 64 2. Health Problems in Urban Areas H.E. Mr. Kenneth Francis Hackett 22 The Encycical Laudato Si’: 65 3. Transparency and Dialogue a Hymn to the Gospel of the Creation to Predict the Environmental Impact H.E. Msgr. Marcelo Sanchéz Sorondo of Business Initiatives and Development Projects 26 Contemporary Climate Change and H.E. Mr. Claude Giordan the Imperative to Safeguard the Creation Prof. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber 69 4. The Dialogue between Politics Dr. Jascha Lehmann and Economics for Human Fullness H.E. Mr. John Anthony Gerard McCarthy 30 Pollution by Information or Technology Editorial and Business Offices: 70 5. Africa and Business: Msgr. Dario Edoardo Viganò Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers (for Health Pastoral Care) a Proposal for Development 00120 Vatican City; Tel. 06.698.83138, 06.698.84720, 06.698.84799 - Fax: 06.698.83139 that Respects the Life of Man 33 Biological Innovation Starting with e-mail: [email protected] and the Environment Research: Animal Experimentation and www.holyseeforhealth.net H.E. Mr. Antoine Zanga Genetically Modified Organisms Dr. Romano Marabelli 73 The Ethical and Social Responsibility Published three times a year. Subscription rate: 32 € postage included of Companies Towards Integral Ecology Printed by Editrice VELAR, Gorle (BG) 37 Towards a Responsible Political Approach Prof. Stefano Zamagni Cover: Glass window Rev. Costantino Ruggeri to the Perception, Assessment 83 The Diplomatic Contribution Poste Italiane s.p.a. Spedizione in Abbonamento Postale - D.L. 353/2003 (conv. In L. 27/02/2004 nº 46) art. 1, comma 2, DCB Roma and Methods of Reducing Stress of the Holy See to the Negotiations Caused by Environmental Factors about the Environment Msgr. Tony Anatrella H.E. Msgr. Paul Richard Gallagher

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85 The Dialogue of Religions Saturday 21 November with the Sciences in Matters Connected with the Environment. 109 The Anthropological Roots The Encyclical of Bergoglio of the Ecological Crisis on the Environment: H.E. Msgr. Ignacio Carrasco de Paula ‘Universal Ecological Conversion’ Prof. Enrico Mairov 111 The Promotion of the Culture of Life of the Planet 87 Projects and Innovative Initiatives Prof. Vertistine Beaman Mbaya for a ‘Healthy World’ Dr. Ligia Noronha 112 A Healthy Environment for an Integral Human Development 92 Access to Safe and Clean Water: H.E. Msgr. Gustavo Rodríguez Vega a Fundamental, Universal and Essential Human Right 115 Educating in the Environment Dr. Michel Roy and Health Dr. Lilian Corra Round Table Education and Ecological Spirituality: Towards an Ecology of Health-care a Different Lifestyle Systems that Place Man and not Profit at the Centre of Things 96 1. Educating in the Alliance The Contribution of Three Experts: between Humanity and the Environment in a Spirit of Solidarity and Care 119 1. Health-care Policy Based upon Compassion. Dr. Konstanty Radziwiłł Request for Assisted Suicide in the Light 120 2. Health-care Legislation of the Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ Hon. Dr. Anna Zaborska Prof. Dr. Arndt Büssing 122 3. Supportive Welfare 99 2. Joy and Peace, the Foundation and Models of Care of an Ecological Spirituality Dr. Alessandro Signorini Bro. Michael A. Perry, OFM 125 Conclusions and Recommendations 102 3. Towards Ecological Pastoral Care Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro Founded on Man’s Reconciliation with Himself, the Creation and God 126 Conclusions and Recommendations H.E. Msgr. Gregor Maria Hanke, O.S.B. Fr. Ján Dˇ acˇ ok, SJ 105 4. A New Contemplative Outlook: the Sacramental Signs and the Celebration of Rest Prof. Artur Zuk

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Proceedings of the XXX International Conference

Organised by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers

The Culture of Salus and Welcome at the Service of Man and the Planet

19-20-21 November 2015 New Synod Hall Vatican City

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Speech of Greetings

H. E. Msgr. tion seems to be profoundly com- the Creation which has been given Zygmunt Zimowski promised as well, one perceives to us so that we may be its faithful President of the a growing sensitivity towards the and responsible ‘stewards’. Pontifical Council environment and care for nature, Your Holiness, a few days be- for Health Care workers, as well as the advance of sincere fore the beginning of the Extraor- the Holy See and pained concern about what is dinary Jubilee of Mercy, I would happening to our planet. like to express to you once again As Your Holiness points out in our gratitude for your encyclical ost Blessed Father, the recent encyclical letter Laud- Laudato sì’, within whose fur- MIt is with filial devotion and ato sì’, this is not a matter of two row we intend to offer our con- gratitude that we thank you for crises, one that is environmental tribution to a deep and effective wanting to meet us on the first and one that is social, but, rather, ‘conversion of hearts’, in the cer- day of the deliberations of our of a single and complex socio-en- tainty that ‘a true ecological ap- thirtieth international conference vironmental crisis, the strategies proach always becomes a social which seeks to address the subject for a solution to which ‘demand approach; it must integrate ques- ‘The Culture of Salus and Wel- an integrated approach to com- tions of justice in debates on the come at the Service of Man and bating poverty, restoring dignity environment, so as to hear both the Planet’. to the excluded, and at the same the cry of the earth and the cry of On the occasion of the thirtieth time protecting nature’ (n. 139). the poor’ (n. 49). anniversary of the life and activ- Responding to the invitation to In addition, we want here and ity of our Pontifical Council, and look for integral solutions which now to assure you of our prayers at the same time as the twentieth consider the interactions of natu- for the by now imminent apos- anniversary of the publication of ral systems with each other and tolic journey that will take you to the encyclical Evangelium vitae, with social systems, during the Kenya, Uganda and the Central we thought it suitable to place course of the deliberations of this African Republic, that is to say ourselves in the furrow traced by international conference of ours in direct contact with some of the St. John Paul II, in order to re- we will address in particular the problems that require of every- trieve the meaning of the digni- problems connected with the im- one, urgently, an ‘ecology of the ty of human life and the value of pact that these this various factors heart’. every person, in the lineaments of of pollution involve, above all at It is with filial obedience, Ho- which shine brightly the likeness- the level of the consequences for ly Father, that we prepare our- es themselves of the Son of God. health care that are already ob- selves to listen to your words and This teaching always reminds served today, not only in econom- to receive your apostolic bless- everyone, and in a completely sin- ically advanced countries but also, ing which will accompany all gular way the various profession- and above all else, in the poorest those who are present, health-care al figures of the world of health and most vulnerable populations workers, as well as all people who and health care, that God does not of the planet, whose right to health people who are sick and in diffi- love man from far away and from is not always recognised. culty, that is to say those to whom a heavenly or abstract height, This commitment, it may be are dedicated our daily moving but, rather, He loves him from added, cannot make us inattentive, towards them, always and in eve- the very depths of his condition, not even as regards the respon- ry circumstance seeing in each where evil appears to triumph. sibilities that are entrusted to us one of them the inviolable value Above all nowadays and specifi- with respect to future generations, of life and the dignity that is writ- cally where the gift of the Crea- to whom we owe the gift itself of ten into in every person.

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Address of His Holiness Pope Francis

Sala Regia, Thursday, 19 November 2015

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Thank you for your welcome! I thank Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski for the courteous greeting he addressed to me on behalf of all those present, and I give my cordial welcome to you, organizers and participants of this 30th International Conference on “The Culture of Salus and of Welcome at the Service of Man and the Planet”. I extend a heartfelt thank you to all the collaborators of the Dicastery. Many questions will be addressed in this annual meeting, which marks the 30 years of activity of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, and which also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the publication of St John Paul II’s Encyclical Letter Evangelium Vitae. In fact respect for the value of life and, even more so, love for it, finds irreplaceable fulfillment in reaching out, drawing near, taking care of those who suffer in body and spirit: all actions that characterize health pastoral care. Actions and, even before, attitudes that the Church will especially emphasize during the Jubilee of Mercy, which calls us all to be close to our most suffering brothers and sisters. In Evangelium Vitae we can trace the constitutive elements of the “culture of salus”: namely, hospitality, compassion, understanding and forgiveness. They are the habitual attitudes of Jesus in relation to the multitude of needy people that approached him every day: the sick of every kind, public sinners, the demon-possessed, the marginalized, the poor, foreigners.... And, curious- ly, in our throwaway culture, they are rejected, they are left aside. They don’t count. It’s curious... What does this mean? That the throwaway culture is not of Jesus, it’s not Christian. Such attitudes are what the Encyclical calls “positive requirements” of the Commandment about the inviolability of life, which, with Jesus, are manifested in all their breadth and depth, and which again today can, or better yet, must distinguish health pastoral care: they “range from caring for the life of one’s brother (whether a blood brother, someone belonging to the same people, or a for- eigner living in the land of Israel) to showing concern for the stranger, even to the point of loving one’s enemy” (n. 41). This closeness to the other – true closeness, not feigned – to the point of regarding him as someone that belongs to me – an enemy also belongs to me as brother – surmounts every barrier of na- tionality, of social extraction, of religion... as the “Good Samaritan” of the Gospel parable teaches us. It also surpasses that culture in a negative sense, according to which, whether in rich countries or in poor ones, human beings are accepted or rejected according to utilitarian criteria, in particular, social or economic utility. This mentality is parent of the so-called “medicine of desires”: an ever more widespread custom in rich countries, characterized by the quest for physical perfection at any cost, in the illusion of eternal youthfulness; a custom that in fact leads to discarding or mar- ginalizing those who are not “efficient”, those who are regarded as a burden, a bother, or are simply unappealing.

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Likewise, “reaching out” – as I recalled in my recent Encyclical Laudato Si’ – also implies as- suming unbreakable responsibilities towards Creation and the “common home”, which belongs to all and is entrusted to the care of all, also for the coming generations. The anxiety that the Church harbours is for the fate of the human family and of all of creation. It is about educating everyone to “care for” and to “administer” Creation as a whole, as a gift entrusted to the responsibility of every generation, so that it is handed down as intact and humanly liveable as possible to the coming generations. This conversion of heart to the “Gospel of Creation” implies that we make our own and render ourselves interpreters of the cry for human dignity, which is raised above all by the poorest and most excluded, as sick and suffering people often are. In the now imminence of the Jubilee of Mercy, may this cry find a sincere echo in our hearts, so that in the exercise of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, according to the different responsibilities entrusted to each one, we can also receive the gift of God’s grace, while we render ourselves “channels” and witnesses of mercy. I hope that in these days of reflection and debate, in which you also consider the environmental factor in its aspects most strongly related to the physical, psychological, spiritual and social health of the person, you may contribute to a new development of the culture of salus, understood also in an integral sense. I encourage you, in this perspective, to always bear in mind in your work the reality of those populations, which suffer most the damages that stem from environmental degradation, serious, often permanent injuries to health. And, speaking of these damages that stem from environmental degradation, it is a surprise for me to find – when I go to the Wednesday Audience or to parishes – so many sick people, especially children.... The parents say to me: “He has a rare illness! They don’t know what it is”. These rare illnesses are the consequence of the sickness that we inflict on the environment. And this is serious! Let us ask Mary Most Holy, Health of the Sick, to accompany the work of your conference. We entrust to her the commitment that, every day, the different professional figures of the world of health carry out in favour of the suffering. I wholeheartedly bless you, your families, your communities, as well as all those you meet in hospitals and in nursing homes. I pray for you; and you, please, pray for me. Thank you.

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Thursday 19 November

Introduction Pastoral Care in Health and the Promotion of Human Life: the Thirty Years of Activity of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers

H.E. Msgr. 1. Pastoral Care in Health for having perceived that the world Zygmunt Zimowski and the Culture of Life of health and health care, together President of the with action in the sphere of educa- Pontifical Council As is well known, on 11 Feb- tion, constitutes one of the principal for Health Care Workers, ruary 1985, the liturgical memo- instruments that exists for evangelisation; this was a perception which the Holy See rial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes, Pope St. John Paul II, by met with full assent, and was corre- his Motu proprio Dolentium Hom- sponded, by St. John Paul II. t the beginning of the delib- inum, instituted an Pontifical Com- From 1997 onwards his succes- Aerations of this thirtieth inter- mission ad hoc which had the task sor was Cardinal Javier Lozano national conference I would like of coordinating the activities of the Barragán who held his post until to greet all those present who have Roman Curia connected with pas- 18 April 2009. On 30 October of come from far away and not so far toral care in health as engaged in last year Cardinal Lozano celebrat- away. I would like to apologise if by the Church. Subsequently, this ed the sixtieth anniversary of his I do not list all the countries that Motu proprio Dolentium Hominum priestly ordination. Our most cor- are represented here but I do not set out the mission and the tasks of dial and sincere best wishes go to want to forget one of them! Over this new body of the Apostolic See, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán the next three days we will have that is to say to safeguard and pro- and they are accompanied by my many opportunities to be togeth- tect the value of life, from its emer- and our gratitude for his contribu- er and thus to exchange ideas and gence until its natural sunset, and tion to the development of our Pon- opinions. the dignity of the human person, in tifical Council. The international conference that particular as regards realities con- I would also like to take this op- we are about to begin has a special nected with the sphere of health and portunity to thank all the Members character inasmuch as it is being the health-care world. This dicast- and Consultors of the Pontifical held in a year when we are remem- ery, from the outset, was entrusted Council, both of the present time bering respectively: the fiftieth an- to the then Bishop Fiorenzo Ange- and those who have followed one niversary of the Second Vatican lini, who was subsequently made a another over the last three decades, Council; the thirtieth anniversary Cardinal (1991) and was the first as well as the personnel and staff of the foundation of the Pontifi- president of this dicastery and for who have made, and still make, cal Council for Health Care Work- very many years the central Ec- their contribution to its mission. ers; and the twentieth anniversary clesiastical Assistant of the Asso- During the three decades of its of the publication of the encycli- ciation of Italian Catholic Doctors. existence, our Pontifical Council cal Evangelium Vitae of St. John Cardinal Angelini passed away on has been strongly involved in the Paul II; and, in the year now under- 22 November of last year, precisely study of – with activities involv- way, the publication of the encyc- at the end of the last international ing promotion and dissemination lical Laudato sì’ of Pope Francis. conference. I would like to observe in relation to – everything that is In addition, this international con- here that on the first anniversary of related to the culture and pastoral ference is taking place a few days his pious transit, on Sunday next, care of salus and thus care for the before the opening of the Extraor- 22 November, in the Church of the person, in both a physical and spir- dinary Jubilee of Mercy. Within Holy Spirit in Sassia – at 11.00 – a itual sense. this framework, our international Holy Mass will be celebrated in his I would like to mention only four conference seeks to take into con- memory presided over by His Em- of the immense contributions and sideration at least some of the most inence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, activities of the Pontifical Coun- relevant points connected with pas- the Deacon of the Cardinals’ Col- cil which in an emblematic way re- toral care in health and the promo- lege. We owe the much lamented flect its mission and its service to tion of human life. Cardinal Angelini deep gratitude the culture of life.

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1.1 The Pontifical Academy tions and observations that came of the region who are responsible for Life from Members or Consultors, the for pastoral care in health. In par- text obtained from the Congrega- ticular, it seemed appropriate on By the Motu proprio Vitae Mys- tion for the Doctrine of the Faith this occasion to address the subject terium of 11 February 1994 of Pope the necessary nihil obstat for its of health as an element that could John Paul II the Pontifical Acade- publication. The translation into stimulate ecumenical and inter-re- my of Life was founded, being lo- English of the text is in its final ligious dialogue, in line with what cated at our Pontifical Council. Its stage and it is envisaged that the is also recommended in the Bull principal mission is to study, in- Charter for Health Care Workers of indiction Misericordiae Vultus. form and shape opinion as regards will be launched with a suitable This will also be an opportunity to the principal questions of biomed- press conference so as to achieve visit and to bring concrete help, of icine and law connected which a suitable resonance for this docu- an economic character as well, to a are connected with the promotion ment which in various countries is number of health-care institutions of the culture and defence of life, usually adopted for specific forma- of the region of Palestine which above all in relation to Christian tion as regards questions connected find themselves in especial diffi- morality and the Magisterium of with bioethics and pastoral care in culty because of the well known the Church. health in faculties of medicine and problems that they have to endure. surgery and in university cours- Furthermore, in this place I am 1.2 The Charter for es on nursing and for health-care honoured to communicate to you Health Care Workers workers. that as regards the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy the Pontifical In 1995 our Pontifical Council 1.3 The World Days of the Sick Council has been directly involved, published its Charter for Health through the Pontifical Council for Care Workers which has been In the letter addressed to Cardi- the Promotion of the New Evan- translated into nineteen languag- nal Fiorenzo Angelini of 13 May gelisation, in the organisation of es. At the present time, taking ad- 1992 – the day that commemorates two great events which bear upon vantage of the help of experts in the first apparition of Our Lady of the world of health and health care, the various medical-surgical, the- Fatima in 1917 – the Blessed John that is to say respectively the Day ological-moral, pastoral and polit- Paul II established 11 February as for Sick and Disabled People (to ical-legal disciplines, a revision of the date for the celebration of the be held on 12 June 2016) and the this document has been completed, World Day of the Sick, the liturgi- Day for Workers and Volunteers of as well as its updating, in the light cal memorial of the Blessed Vir- Mercy (to be held on 4 September of the new advances in medicine, gin Mary of Lourdes. As with what 2016). specific declarations of the Mag- was established by Pope Benedict isterium of the Church made af- XVI for the World Youth Days, the 1.4 The ‘Good Samaritan’ ter the year 1995, and new devel- World Day of the Sick is celebrated Foundation opments that have concerned the every three years in solemn form, health-care world (of a political- whereas individual dioceses are This Foundation was wanted legislative and political-econom- asked to dedicate themselves to the and established by St. John Paul II ic character). A new development annual celebrations. in the year 2004. It expresses the which it appears useful to refer to As regards these World Days, solidarity-inspired and preferential is the anthropological value that on 11 February 2016 the Pontifi- love of the Church for abandoned the biomedical sciences have ac- cal Council for Health Care Work- and less protected people. This quired in contemporary culture, in ers will celebrate in solemn form Foundation, from an economic specific service to the integral good the twenty-fourth World Day of point of view, helps those sick peo- of life and the dignity of every hu- the Sick which will take place in ple who are most in need, and in man being, within a fertile and re- Nazareth. The theme of this World particular those who suffer because ciprocal dialogue between biomed- Day will be: ‘Entrusting Oneself of infection by HIV/AIDS and oth- icine and the affirmation of moral to the Merciful Jesus like Mary: er related pathologies. principles by the Magisterium of “Do whatever he Tells you!”’ (Jn This Foundation is also in- the Church. In this activity, atten- 2:5). The Message of the Holy Fa- volved in a project whose aim to tion has been addressed not only to ther for that event has already been donate medical products and cen- the classic professional figures of published. tres to health-care institutions of health care (medical, nursing and On this occasion the local the Catholic Church in the world. auxiliary personnel) but also biolo- Churches will be involved, as by The methodology of its activities gists, pharmacists and health-care now is customary, not only in the envisages the involvement in each workers who work in the local ar- celebration of this World Day it- country of the apostolic nuncios, eas, administrators, legislators in self but also in the preparations for the national bishops’ conferences, the health-care field, pharmaceuti- the connected theological-pastoral dioceses, and religious Congrega- cal companies, and workers in the conference whose theme will, in tions who promote initiatives that public and private sectors, whether addition, address specific questions are connected with providing help secular or confessional. and issues of the Middle East: ones and care in the health-care field. After the positive assessment connected with peace, reconcilia- This initiative has been imple- of the plenary assembly of March tion and health. In addition, a meet- mented in cooperation with the 2014 and the addition of sugges- ing will be organised with bishops Catholic Medical Mission Board

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(CMMB), a non-profit making non- premacy’ (Caritas in veritate, and bacterial pathologies connected governmental organisation whose n.75). As a consequence, the Holy with environmental change; waves head offices are in the United Father continued, when discussing of heat and cold; endocrine disrupt- States of America, a body which is the subject, ‘we must not underes- ing chemicals and their impact on committed to providing high qual- timate the disturbing scenarios that health: the environmental impact ity health-care services, health-care threaten our future, or the powerful of economic initiatives and devel- material, and medical products, new instruments that the “culture of opment projects: dialogue between without any form of discrimination death” has at its disposal’ (ibidem). politics and the economy; the ethi- based on race, politics or religions, Opposing these trends, Pope cal and social responsibilities of to sick people and people who live Francis has often invited us to ‘care companies towards environmental in need, throughout the world. for frailty’ and to reject the ‘throw- resources; innovative projects in fa- away culture’. vour of a ‘healthy world’; a culture Today, unfortunately, these of the life of the planet; education 2. Challenges: Continuity threats have become even stronger and ecological spirituality moti- and Discontinuity and more sophisticated and, often vated by a return to simplicity; and with arrogance and cynicism, they the ecology of health-care systems The Fathers of the Second Vat- are imposed and then introduced marked by a personalist approach. ican Council, in the pastoral con- into mentalities and daily life. But In the international conference stitution Gaudium et Spes (7 De- all men and women of good will, are suitably placed two round ta- cember 1965), emphasised the and in particular all believers in Je- bles and these will aim at achiev- responsibilities of future genera- sus Christ, are invited to promote ing dialogue for the safeguarding tions, and listed in particular the and strengthen the ‘culture of life’ of life and the creation, as well as many crimes and attacks on human and to ‘proclaim’ and ‘celebrate the ecological education and spiritual- life and its dignity: ‘any type of Gospel of life’ (cf. EV, nn. 79, 82). ity that are marked by another life- murder, genocide, abortion, eutha- style. Places for the promotion of nasia, or wilful self-destruction’, education in ecology, such as the and on to ‘disgraceful working 3. The Culture of Salus and family, schools, Christian commu- conditions ‘ (GS, n. 27). Welcome at the Service of nities, national and international The same list was also taken up Man and the Planet institutions, and other settings, are and condemned by St. John Paul II important at the level of analysis in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae This, indeed, is the central ap- and practical implementations. (cf. n. 3). All these practices, and proach of the encyclical Laudato And all of this should be done ones similar to them, as the Holy sì of Pope Francis who has empha- without forgetting about the pasto- Father stated, are not only ‘shame- sised the need for individuals and ral dimension of the initiative, that ful’ but also ‘poison human socie- authorities really to address the en- is to say that in particular in places ty, pollute’ people, and offend the vironmental and social problems of care and work for suffering peo- Creator. In other words, the Sec- that have such an impact on health ple, as in contributing to wellbeing ond Vatican Council and the Mag- and the psycho-physical, and also at a planetary level, one can always isterium that was to follow it were spiritual, wellbeing of people. The offer witness in an increasingly already emphasising the close con- Holy Father has also stressed that better way, the compelling need for nection between attacks on life and ‘The work of the Church seeks not which is increasingly perceived. human dignity and injury to the en- only to remind everyone of the du- Knowing how to really welcome vironment in which man lives. ty to care for nature, but at the same the other, and other people and how It is also well known that St. time “she must above all protect to bend down to people following John Paul II, during his papacy, of- mankind from self-destruction”’. the example of the merciful, simple ten referred to dramatic ‘threats to (LS, n. 79). and humble Christ himself; growth life’ which were ‘scientifically and In order to understand in a bet- in gospel wisdom with a view to systematically planned’ and an ‘ob- ter way a question that is so deli- creating a ‘culture of care’; and a jective “conspiracy against life”, cate, wide-ranging and urgent, the ‘return to simplicity’ to construct involving even international Insti- analysis of the authoritative speak- ‘universal fraternity’ (cf. LS, nn. tutions, engaged in encouraging ers at this international conference 231, 222, 228): these are the chal- and carrying out actual campaigns is important. They will follow one lenges that require the highest and to make contraception, sterilization another in the various sessions of most personal involvement. and abortion widely available’ (EV, this meeting and they will address Lastly, I would like to express n. 17). burning questions concerning man my sincere wish that this interna- Benedict XVI himself empha- and nature and their mutual inter- tional conference will be able to sised the possibilities of ‘manip- connections. I would like to empha- bring enrichment and abundant ulating life’ as ‘bio-technology sise only some of these subjects: fruits to each one of us, both at the places it increasingly under man’s climate change and the safeguard- level of theoretical analysis and at control’ and observed that human ing of biodiversity; pollution and the level of practical applications. cloning and hybridisation were an waste; animal experiments and ge- I bid you all welcome to our in- ‘expression of technology’s su- netically modified organisms; viral ternational conference!

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Greetings

Don Carmine Arice, SSC problems as challenges and not as sal right, which is a pre-condition Director of the National Office obstacles: the Lord is active and for the exercise of other human for Pastoral Care in Health, at work in our world’. rights, is guaranteed to everyone the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Taking care of our common (cf. LS, n. 30) through targeted Italy home is without doubt one of initiatives because ‘As long as these challenges that should be ad- the problems of the poor are not dressed with courage, urgency and radically resolved by rejecting ost Reverend Excellency enterprise, both by those who have the absolute autonomy of mar- MMsgr. Zygmunt Zimowski the grave responsibility of admin- kets and financial speculation and and all the Officials of the Pontifi- istering the public realm and by all by attacking the structural causes cal Council for Health Care Work- those who hold dear handing over of inequality, no solution will be ers, Your eminences, Your Excel- to those who will come after them found for the world’s problems or, lencies, and those taking part in an inhabitable world and a crea- for that matter, to any problems. this international conference, tion that still bears the beauty and Inequality is the root of social ills’ I am grateful and honoured the goodness of its Creator (cf. (EG, n. 202). The new humanism to have been invited to address LS, n. 160). Yes, this is an ardu- of Jesus Christ is a humanism of those taking part in this thirti- ous challenge, but it is a possible self-giving, of support, in which eth international conference, the one if, as Pope Francis writes, we the culture of encounter and peace subject of whose deliberations is know how to make of ecological should be promoted in line with a deep reading of the encyclical culture ‘a way of thinking, poli- the culture of justice and truth. of Pope Francis Laudato si’ and cies, an educational programme, To end, I will take the passage its operational consequences for a lifestyle and a spirituality which from the encyclical that was cit- care for, and the promotion of, together generate resistance to the ed at the beginning of my speech health. I bring the greetings of the assault of the technocratic para- in which the Holy Father ob- presidency and the general secre- digm’ (LS, n. 111). serves the aggressive advance of tariat of the Italian Bishops’ Con- History tells us that the victims a technocratic paradigm: how can ference who are following this of an exaggerated technocratic we cure ourselves of this disease event with interest both because paradigm that no longer places which none of us can be certain of the contemporary relevance man at the centre of things but, of not having? Those who have and the importance of its subject rather, prestige and economic in- the grace of living by the side of and because of the authoritative- terests, are above all else the poor. those who suffer well know that ness of the speakers who are tak- Indeed, ‘the deterioration of the human wounds can become im- ing part in it. environment and of society af- portant slits of light by which to Last week the Italian Church fects the most vulnerable people reach that demand for meaning celebrated in Florence the fifth on the planet’ (LS, n. 48). which illness and death ask with National Ecclesial Conference on We should not forget that al- emphasis. Pastoral care in health the subject ‘Jesus Christ the New though everyone can boast of be- should not underestimate this re- Humanism’. In addressing his ing citizens of the world and in- source; indeed it should be a priv- rich and extraordinary thoughts habitants of the earth, and rightly ileged direction of its action. We to the delegates, the Holy Father so, nobody can boast of the privi- must be vigilant so that at least expressed himself in the follow- lege of saying ‘the land is mine’ the community of believers which ing way: ‘One can say that today because ‘the earth is essentially a professes faith in Jesus Christ, the we are not so much living through shared inheritance, whose fruits new man, keeps alive its aware- an epoch of change as a change are meant to benefit everyone’ ness of human limitations, human of epoch. The situations that we (LS, n. 93). It is not enough to af- frailty, and man’s infinite wish for are experiencing today pose new firm, for example, that a right ex- salvation. challenges which at times for us ists to water: one has to work in Thank you for listening to me are even difficult to understand. a practical way to ensure that this and I wish you well in your delib- This time of ours requires living essential, fundamental and univer- erations.

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Evangelium vitae Twenty Years On

father Wojciech clearly the brutal consequences of Christ it is not limited to an Giertych, O.P. of the rejection of Christ and of analysis of the moral qualifica- Theologian of the Papal the light of nature and thus urges tion of acts, to a denunciation of Household, Christians to maintain their faith horrors or to the establishment of the Holy See in the healing power of grace. St. appropriate laws and procedures. John Paul II invites us ‘to contem- The prime concern is the fecun- plate the One who was pierced’ dity of grace that leads to a liv- (50),2 because the Redemption ing of a virtuous life. The Gospel ‘is the very life of God which is of Life stimulates, makes possible The Gospel of Life now shared with man. It is the life and praises all sorts of grassroots which through the Sacraments of social and ecclesial initiatives ‘Teacher, what good must I the Church – symbolized by the that support life, that assist the do? (Mt 19:16)’… ‘Do not be blood and water flowing from weak and defenceless, and that conformed to this world (Rm Christ’s side – is continually cultivate the virtues of generos- 12:2)’… ‘Lest the Cross of Christ given to God’s children… From ity (26). ‘The Spirit becomes the be emptied of its power (1 Cor the Cross, the source of life, the new law which gives strength to 1:17)’. When these three chapter “people of life” is born and in- believers and awakens in them a titles of St. John Paul II’s encycli- creases’ (51). The Gospel is not responsibility for sharing the gift cal Veritatis splendor are read to- just a written text. It is the event, of self and for accepting others, as gether, it becomes clear that the the saving work, of Christ, which a sharing in the boundless love of Cross of Christ and the divine has the power to uplift, to heal, to Jesus Christ himself’ (76). power and love flowing from the correct and to change erroneous There is no doubt that an en- Saviour’s heart are at the centre mores. Thus, the encyclical on counter with Christ that generates of Christian life. A truly Christian the Gospel of Life is a prophetic service needs time to develop. morality cannot be built solely on text that announces the power of The Holy Spirit is working in the the natural law. The natural law Christ. It is not just an ideologi- hearts of believers according to is the fruit of a rational analysis cal manifesto that invites people his own rhythms and according to that studies the inherent finality of to engage in political struggles, the extent of human responses. A creatures and draws conclusions even for a good cause. It is an joyful appreciation of life, wheth- from it. It offers a correcting and invitation to practise faith in the er it is that of a baby who makes illuminating light, but it does not power of God that is made man- its first appearance, or of a sick, save. Like a signpost, it shows the ifest in charity (Gal 5:6). ‘The frail, old person who maybe, fi- way, but it does not move. In the blood of Christ, while it reveals nally, is learning how to let go of pilgrimage of life, we need some- the grandeur of the Father’s love, attachments and adhere to God, thing more. We need the new law shows how precious man is in is a fruit of the Cross of Christ of the Gospel, ‘the law of the Spir- God’s eyes and how priceless the that elicits hitherto unknown, it of life in Christ Jesus’ (Rm 8:2), value of his life… Furthermore, unrealised sources of generosity which is made up of the grace of Christ’s blood reveals to man that spring from a hidden grace. the Holy Spirit offered to those that his greatness and therefore When believers draw on the pow- who believe in Christ, and of the his vocation, consists in the sin- er of grace and live it out in char- teaching imparted in the Church cere gift of self… It is from the ity, they change the face of the that points towards that saving blood of Christ that all draw the earth from within. When individ- grace and shows how to live it out strength to commit themselves uals truly live the Christian ethos, in practice.1 The Church is con- to promoting life. It is precisely they transform society, manifest- cerned about the world and its this blood that is the most pow- ing thereby the need for consist- functioning. But, even more, the erful source of hope, indeed it ency between the official laws Church does not want the power is the foundation of the absolute and the values that are in fact up- of the Redemption to be wasted. certainty that in God’s plan life held by people. This is difficult in The encyclical Evangelium vi- will be victorious’ (25). Thus, the periods when new challenges and tae, which was published twenty Church not only proclaims but the clash of ethics lower moral years ago by St. John Paul II, is also celebrates and serves the liv- standards. At such moments faith a theological document. Its rich ing Gospel of Life (28). in Christ and in the power of his Biblical teaching is not just a de- This means that political strug- grace needs to be cultivated even vout addition that we can easily gles in the defence of life, noble more. ignore as we focus on its defence though they may be, are not cen- Revelation tells us that life and of the dignity of life. The strict- tral. ‘It is not enough to remove death are in the hands of God. Je- ly theological message is central unjust laws’ (90). When moral sus came so that we ‘may have in this voice of a pastor who sees reflection is centred on the grace life, and have it abundantly’ (Jn

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10:10). Whereas death entered and cannot undo the hand of God, and encounters with civilisations the world through the evil one, but they can wound the vulner- that have different ethical stand- Jesus conquered death (28) giving able by generating a mental and ards. The ethics of the workplace it a new meaning. Death is now social context that is not condu- are constantly tested, in every a transfer to eternity. The Gospel cive to true trust and love. That profession. And in the fields of of Life knows that beyond the life is why we need to remember that politics, economic life and inter- of the body there is the life of im- ‘no one… can arbitrarily choose national relationships, new moral mortality which is ‘the Principle whether to live or die; the abso- responses have to be worked out. of life, the Cause and sole Well- lute master of such a decision is The addressing of new challenges spring of life’ (84). This means the Creator alone’ (47). ‘In life is particularly visible in the field that suffering and death ‘are a and in death, man has to entrust of bioethics as medicine takes ad- part of human existence, and it himself completely to the “good vantage of new techniques. is futile, not to say misleading, to pleasure of the Most High”, to When St. John Paul II wrote try to hide them or ignore them. his loving plan’ (46). But the wit- Evangelium vitae, the prime On the contrary, people must be nesses of these two vulnerable threats to human life that sparked helped to understand their pro- moments, by their own faith and his reaction were abortion and eu- found mystery in all its harsh re- love, exercised precisely at this thanasia. Reading the encyclical ality’ (97). Even though the dig- moment, may facilitate the trans- we have the impression that these nity of life has to be defended, fer to the loving hands of God. were the two major problems. In a ‘the life of the body in its earthly brief way he also mentioned other state is not an absolute good for evils such as the harvesting of or- the believer’ (47). For this rea- New Challenges gans for transplants through a so- son, the encyclical does not insist phisticated prolonging of life in upon ‘aggressive medical treat- A development in morality is situations of extreme frailty (64) ment… when death is clearly im- a normal phenomenon of history. and ‘without respecting objective minent and inevitable’ (65). ‘As Apart from variations in moral and adequate criteria which verify they approach death people ought science, whether philosophical the death of the donor’ (15). He to be able to satisfy their moral or theological, which are condi- warned that ‘health-care profes- and family duties, and above all tioned by social and cultural cur- sionals can be strongly tempted they ought to be able to prepare rents and internal ecclesial inspi- at times to become manipulators in a fully conscious way for the rations for renewal, there is also of life, or even agents of death’ definitive meeting with God’ (65). a development of moral aware- (89). Since in the meantime new A prolonging of the final agony, ness that arises from the appear- developments have come about, which is possible with present- ance of new challenges. The the defence of the sanctity of life day techniques, is not necessar- same moral principles that derive requires further insights and re- ily a sign of charity. The impor- from unchangeable human na- actions. There are new peripher- tant issue is whether the last stage ture and from the message of the ies that need to be noted which of earthly life is an expression of Gospel need to be applied to new require the healing touch of clear faith and of love for God. So, the and mutable situations. The con- thinking and the power of grace. assisting service of those who, an- science, being an act of reason, Among these new moral chal- imated by charity, are present at cannot function in a rubberstamp lenges, which directly concern this moment should be a viaticum, manner. It has to understand the the medical world. are such is- ‘companionship, sympathy and issues and provoke appropri- sues as in vitro fertilisation, the support in the time of trial’ (67). ate and creative reactions. But obtaining and use of sperm and The prime evangelical concern is the current velocity of scientific eggs, the freezing of unwanted that the ultimate passage will be discoveries and technical inven- embryos, the renting of wombs, to the eternity of the heavenly Fa- tions means that there is a con- trafficking in organs and biologi- ther. stant need to address surprising- cal material, manipulation of the We know that ‘human life finds ly new ethical questions without definition of death and its neuro- itself most vulnerable when it en- having available immediate an- logical criteria so as to facilitate ters the world and when it leaves swers that are suggested by Tra- the harvesting of organs, the pro- the realm of time to embark up- dition. Not only every genera- duction of new chemical narcot- on eternity’ (44). The vulnerabil- tion but also every individual is ics, and also issues that arise from ity of these two extreme moments faced by issues which seemed un- the collapse of the family and the may be an occasion for a myste- thinkable a short time previously. appearance of unstable ephem- rious, hidden, yet true, faith and In our childhood, did we reflect eral homosexual or heterosexual trust in God, or it may be an occa- upon the moral implications of relationships which demand the sion for panic, hatred, despair or using drones as spying paparaz- civil rights of families and the anger. At the beginning of human zi or as means of transport that right to adopt children. New tech- life, God creates the immortal can interfere with airport traffic? nical possibilities in the field of soul. At its end, God chooses the Ways of being virtuous have to be medicine and fluctuations in so- best moment for the final encoun- found in private life as it comes cial mores place a heavy burden ter. Human manipulations are a to be challenged by revolutions in on all those engaged in service to proud denial of divine supremacy technology and communications life. Medicine, psychiatry, psy-

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chology, pedagogy, programmes ‘openness and service to life’ (97) ficiency, inordinate consumerism, of social aid and legal practice all disappear. The reduction of sexu- physical beauty and pleasure, to have to deal with new situations, ality solely to being a source of the neglect of the more profound and soon they will have to inten- hedonistic pleasure degrades hu- dimensions – interpersonal, spir- sify the multifaceted care offered man relationships and generates itual and religious – of existence’ to the victims of nihilist medical, egoism. An unbridled sexuality (23). Such a mentality ‘carries mental, cultural, social and po- first of all deforms men who fail the concept of subjectivity to an litical engineering. The develop- to mature in paternity. The weak- extreme and even distorts it, and ment of new medical and morally est are the first victims of this. recognizes as a subject of rights acceptable solutions to real prob- The suggestion that sex has to only the person who enjoys full lems is a great service. By way be ‘safe’, safe from the ‘enemy’, or at least incipient autonomy’ of an example, naprotechnology (23) entails a mental aggressive- (19). This amounts to an equation may be mentioned. It heals in- ness towards a potential child. of ‘personal dignity with the ca- fertility, it is cheaper than in vit- The immediate consequence of pacity for verbal and explicit, or ro fertilisation, and it is morally a lack of chastity is hostility to- at least perceptible communica- licit. Other morally permissible wards children and the abandon- tion’ (19), suggesting that man in solutions to practices that endan- ment of their mothers. a sort of post-Cartesian definition ger the dignity of human life also The Gospel of Life points to can be reduced to mental aware- need to be found. The pastors of distorted understandings of lib- ness functioning through the the Church cannot step into this erty, divorced from truth, nature brain to which an irrelevant body field which is one that requires and generosity. The ‘culture of is attached. It needs to be clearly professional medical compe- death, taken as a whole, betrays recognised that these views intro- tence. But they can, and have to, a completely individualistic con- duce a profoundly distorted un- remember that unchanging moral cept of freedom, which ends up derstanding of human nature. In- principles are always binding. in becoming the freedom of “the stead of the classical definition strong” against the weak’ (19). of man as having a single nature, Freedom is attributed ‘a perverse in which the soul is the form of The Roots of Disorder and evil significance: that of abso- the body, allowing the body made lute power over others and against of matter to be a living human Evangelium vitae lists a num- others’ (20). ‘Freedom negates body,3 ‘the body is no longer per- ber of fundamental roots of mor- and destroys itself, and becomes ceived as a properly personal real disorder which lead to the de- a factor leading to the destruction ality… It is reduced to pure ma- nial of the dignity of human life. of others, when it no longer rec- teriality: it is simply a complex Years have passed since its publi- ognizes and respects its essential of organs, functions and energies cation but the pertinence of these link with truth’ (19). ‘In this way, to be used according to the sole observations is still evident. The any reference to common values criteria of pleasure and efficien- ‘culture of death’ has its origin in and to a truth absolutely binding cy’ (23). Thus, suffering, ‘a fac- the fact that ‘when the sense of on everyone is lost, and social life tor of possible personal growth is God is lost, there is also a tenden- ventures on to the shifting sands “censored”, rejected as useless… cy to lose the sense of man’ (21). of complete relativism. At that When it cannot be avoided… then ‘Man is no longer able to see point, everything is negotiable, life appears to have lost all mean- himself as “mysteriously differ- everything is open to bargaining: ing and the temptation grows… to ent” from other earthly creatures’ even the first of the fundamen- claim the right to suppress it’ (23). (22). ‘When God is not acknowl- tal rights, the right to life’ (20). It edged as God, the profound is not surprising, therefore, that meaning of man is betrayed and ‘grave crimes and radical denials The Ethical Foundations communion between people is of freedom have… been commit- of the Political Order compromised’ (36). Anthropolo- ted… in the name of “ethical rela- gy is intrinsically connected with tivism”’ (70). The appearance of new moral theology, and where the percep- Positions that are contrary to challenges provokes political re- tion and reception of the revealed life are often presented as philo- actions and questions. How and to God is eclipsed then ‘people live sophical convictions. One may what extent should the state, with as though he did not exist’ (96). ask oneself to what extent they its regulations and penal system, This leads ‘to a practical mate- are the fruit of honest, although be engaged in new areas where rialism, which breeds individu- erroneous, thinking, and to what moral values are endangered? alism, utilitarianism and hedon- extent they are merely conclu- This is particularly difficult where ism’ (23). sions drawn from assumptions there is general moral relativism A direct result of the denial of accepted a priori and uncritically and scepticism about the cogni- God is the ‘trivialization of sex- in the name of hedonist comfort. tion of moral truth. Furthermore, uality’ which is ‘among the prin- When ‘the only goal that counts is experience shows that as a re- cipal factors which have led to the pursuit of one’s own material sult of socialism there is an ex- contempt for new life’. When well-being… the so-called “qual- tension of the competence of the sexuality is not seen to be intrin- ity of life” is interpreted primar- state, producing as a result expec- sically destined for procreation, ily or exclusively as economic ef- tations, but the greater the inter-

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ference of the state in all realms try to country. And, lastly, since the view that attacks on human of life, the lower are the moral the laws of the state use coercive life can be legally justified in the standards that it can enforce. All force, their capacity to instil vir- name of the supposed ‘opinion this has direct implications in tue is limited. and will of the majority of citi- medical practice. Evangelium vi- Aquinas clearly distinguishes zens’ (68) and that every politi- tae responds to these issues refer- between the moral order and the cian ‘should clearly separate the ring to the teaching of St. Thomas penal order. The two are not iden- realm of private conscience from Aquinas. Since new ethical prob- tical. Human laws need to affirm that of public conduct’ (69). This lems are constantly appearing, his basic human values that are per- amounts to a drastic reduction of clear distinctions are extremely ceived by the natural law. If they moral responsibility, its exclu- useful. are contrary to the natural law, sion from the public sphere. ‘De- Aquinas insists that human they are tyrannical and generate mocracy cannot be idolized to the laws are based upon the natural serious moral dilemmas which in point of making it a substitute of law. The state does not have the turn weaken the state and reduce morality or a panacea for immo- task of leading man to salvation, social cohesiveness. The penal rality’, because ‘without an objec- but it does have to respect jus- order is justified by the moral or- tive moral grounding not even de- tice and human rights. It chan- der, but it does not enforce all the mocracy is capable of ensuring a nels people towards virtuous virtues. The prime concern of the stable peace’ (70). ‘The doctrine living, even though this is done state is justice. Temperance, chas- on the necessary conformity of slowly and not with the immedi- tity, faith and hope have to be cul- civil law with the moral’ (72) put acy of sacramental grace.4 Since tivated in society through other forward by the Church is a ‘part of states administer various insti- means and institutions. It follows the patrimony of the great juridi- tutions, and more than was the that decisions about the criminali- cal traditions of humanity’ (71). case in medieval times, they need sation of some sins require a so- Recalling Aquinas, the encyclical moral clarity. It is impossible to cial support, an understanding, a reminds us that if a law ‘is some- run prisons, schools, hospitals peaceful acceptance that will not how opposed to natural law, then and orphanages, and also to for- generate a turbatio, a civil war or it is not really a law but a corrup- mulate policies for the economy contempt for moral rules, and they tion of the law’ (72). Laws which and international affairs, with- require technical means. Since are in complete opposition to the out a knowledge of moral prin- such decisions are political, and inviolable right to life are tyran- ciples. The Church, thanks to di- involve an appreciation of a giv- nical. ‘There is no obligation in vine Revelation, knows moral en society and state, they pertain conscience to obey such laws: truth, but states need to know it to the ars of statesmanship and instead there is a grave and clear as well for their own function- not solely to the scientia of mor- obligation to oppose them by con- ing. When society is formed by al knowledge. Whereas there may scientious objection’ (73). the Church and by a living moral be complete agreement about the But, again following Aquinas, tradition this grants interior sup- negative moral qualification of a the encyclical does accept that port to the state, because those sinful act, there may be disagree- ‘public authority can sometimes serving it adhere to moral values. ment about its eventual criminal- choose not to put a stop to some- When society lacks moral clarity isation or about the forms of its thing which – were it prohibit- and espouses moral relativism, criminalisation. The Catholic un- ed – would cause more serious states are left hanging in the air derstanding of the relationship be- harm’ (71). Political, social and and are dependent on ephemeral tween ethics and the penal system not solely ethical concerns come and changing moods. is not puritan in character. Not into the process of legislation. Human laws have their digni- all sins are punished by the state. Furthermore, there are situations ty, specific autonomy and limita- Laws may forbid evil acts in some where politicians are not capa- tions. Their dignity derives from situations, accepting that there are ble of eradicating evil totally, but the social nature of man. Men re- other situations in which the state they can introduce measures that quire a social organisation and so shall not intervene. The limited reduce it. Such a political com- the laws that are enacted for so- competence of criminal laws may promise ‘aimed at limiting the ciety and officeholders deserve be cherished, as this leaves space number of authorized abortions, respect. Human laws, including for freedom and personal growth in place of a more permissive law penal laws, are not directly and in virtue, and this does not mean already passed’ (73) is accepta- solely deduced from general mor- the approval of evil. It may be ble. It is not a compromise with al principles. They have to take accompanied by awareness that evil or its moral approval, but the into consideration the specific some people will misuse the lib- introduction of restrictions that conditions of the state, the means erty that is given and will opt for lessen the scope of the evil that is that it has available, and the mo- evil, and yet a limited criminali- committed. It specifies the extent rale of the society that they serve. sation of evil may be appreciated. of the penal power of the state, Thus in the process of legislation, Evangelium vitae stresses the which by the decision of the leg- political prudence has to be aware importance of the moral founda- islator, for various reasons, is not of sociological data and of prac- tion of laws, particularly as re- absolute. tical possibilities which may vary gards the fundamental issue of At the time of writing of the from time to time and from coun- the defence of life. It criticises encyclical, legislators and vot-

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ers in many countries were faced the right direction, even though, the limitation of state involve- with vociferous groups demand- within some limits, evil actions ment, justified by various reasons, ing the extension of access to are still taking place. which leads to the legal toleration abortion and in some countries It needs, however, to be always of some evil is never to be inter- to euthanasia as well. It is clear remembered that an honest per- preted as a treating of the com- that the Church in her stance op- son does not reduce his moral mitting of that evil as a right or posed such a development. Some standards to the level imposed by even more as an obligation. Pri- countries, however, had already, the state but follows the percep- vacy and a limitation of state in- and for decades, permitted abortion of the true good as it is recog- terference is a value that can be tion on demand. There were at- nised by his own reason. Honesty respected, but moral clarity is tempts to restrict access to abor- is more demanding than the pe- still necessary. Even where the tion, and in some cases these nal system of the state. The con- state does not intervene, and, for turned out to be successful, even sciences of Christians, animated example, does not prevent adul- though a total criminalisation was by the interior grace of the Holy tery, it should not treat it as a pro- not attained. These moves have Spirit, introduce a higher ethos to tected social value that has to be to be assessed positively as be- society. Their input is not only po- promoted by the state. All citi- ing a step in the right direction. litical. It is expressed in a host of zens, therefore, should have the The problem remains, however, activities that express adherence right to refrain from cooperation that in reducing evil in many re- to true values, social responsibil- in evil, even if they are employed spects, some clearly defined loop- ity and generosity. in state institutions where evil ac- holes were left available. The in- But, as Evangelium vitae re- tions are taking place. The Gospel troduction of a restrictive but not minds us, ‘although laws are not of Life reminds us: ‘To refuse to absolute penal law does not nec- the only means of protecting hu- take part in committing an injus- essarily entail an approval of evil man life, nevertheless they do tice is not only a moral duty; it is in those cases where the state re- play a very important and some- also a basic human right’ (74). It frains from criminalisation, even times decisive role in influenc- is important, therefore, that the though legally such un-criminal- ing patterns of thought and be- high standards of the Christian ised evil action is treated by some haviour’ (90). Laws have not ethos be maintained in society, as a right. Not all politicians and only a penal but also a pedagogi- even though those who adhere to voters understood the intricacy cal function. Where the state re- these standards may be a diaspora of the situation. In the name of frains from criminalising some in a world that has lost its moral an outright rejection of abortion, evil act, the morally weak cease rooting. The pastoral effort of the some politicians, even Catholic to see any problem with it, and Church needs to be addressed not ones, refrained from supporting others even demand access to it, only to those people who do not a compromise restrictive solu- as a civil right, sometimes even respect basic moral values but al- tion, thereby in fact favouring the insisting that it be financed by the so to those people who appreciate previous legal arrangement which taxpayer. Experience shows that them but need to be strengthened was much worse. when the public order tolerates so that they will strongly adhere New developments in medical evil, or, even worse, when it justi- to them as they meet opposition practice, but also in other fields, fies the limitation of its involve- in society and the state. Holding generate moral dilemmas. There ment by moral agnosticism, very onto the Gospel of Life even by a is always a time gap between soon the state becomes totalitar- minority of convinced Christians the arrival of a new problem, its ian, imposing as political correct- is a defence of freedom. We can clear ethical understanding, and ness what hitherto has only been say this because we note that the then the legal, and we should al- tolerated. Then profound injustic- rejection of the natural and Chris- so add, canonical, reaction to the es are treated as rights that should tian ethos has led to the imposi- new challenge. Where there are be legally protected and required tion of immoral practices by the no regulations, because the prob- of society. Thus ‘choices once full force of intolerant states and lem is totally new, the absence of unanimously considered criminal their secular inquisition. restrictive or penal laws permits and rejected by the common mor- In this context, it is well worth abusive practices. The subsequent al sense are gradually becoming recalling the principle of subsid- introduction of restrictive regula- socially acceptable’ (4). Society, iarity and this is an age-old fea- tions that are not absolute in their therefore, has to react, demand- ture of Catholic social ethics. The condemnation – because due to ing that moral values be defend- extension of the power of states the lack of a general understand- ed. But where new problems arise with a concomitant reduction of ing of the issue such an outright that had not existed before, first space for grassroots social initia- condemnation is politically unat- their moral significance has to be tives that are independent of state tainable – can be accepted, even understood and the moral sense financing and state control is at- though loopholes remain. Where has to be formed. This requires a tacking the moral fibre of socie- there are no regulations concern- multifaceted pastoral and educa- ties. Private initiatives, private ing in vitro fertilisation, malprac- tive effort and not only legislative schools and universities, private tices are rampant. Where such action. health-care systems and insurance malpractices are restricted by In political debates and nego- companies, are generally cheaper the law, this is a step forward in tiations, it should be stressed that to run and are more in accord with

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the moral values of those whom The Sword of Grace and transform them from within. they serve and who support them St. John Paul II cried out in Evan- than those that are run by the state. The author of the Letter to the gelium vitae: ‘A great prayer for Furthermore, they are conducive Hebrews tells us: ‘The word of life is urgently needed, a prayer to virtuous generosity. Omnipo- God is something alive and ac- which will rise up throughout tent states greatly limit the fields tive: it cuts like any double-edged the world. Through special ini- of individual moral response, at- sword but more finely: it can slip tiatives and in daily prayer, may tributing excessive, even moral, through the place where the soul an impassioned plea rise to God, power to their officials and ide- is divided from the spirit, or joints the Creator and lover of life, from ologies, and they generate a pas- from the marrow; it can judge the every Christian community, from sive sense of entitlement among secret emotions of thoughts’ (Heb every group and association, from the population. They also pro- 4:12). This sword of the Word of every family and from the heart of voke moral qualms among tax- God, coupled with the force of every believer. Jesus himself has payers, who are forced to support grace, is more powerful than the shown us by his own example that initiatives that they do not uphold. sword used by St. Peter to cut off prayer and fasting are the first and In some countries, Christians are the ear of Malchus (Jn 18:10-11). most effective weapons against engaged in defending the liberty The Church’s response to the dra- the forces of evil’ (100). to live in their private and pub- mas of life and death is not solely lic lives according to the moral political. Primarily, it is supernat- Notes values that they affirm. In other ural, even though Christians are countries, Christians have pas- often tempted to restrict them- 1 St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theolo- sively accepted the thinning out selves to political measures. An giae, Ia-IIae, q. 106, a. 1. 2 All the quotations in the text are from of religious liberty, as moral re- actively exercised faith opens a the 1995 encyclical Evangelium vitae. sponsibility has been excluded window in the soul to the graces 3 Cf. The Catechism of the Catho- from it and has been transferred flowing from the Cross of Christ. lic Church, n. 365, with a reference to the Council of Vienna. from the individual conscience to Through graced charity, Chris- 4 S. Th., Ia-IIae, q. 96, a. 2, ad 2: ‘Lex the decisions of the state or even tians bring the power of grace to humana intendit homines inducere ad vir- of supranational institutions. seemingly impossible situations tutem, non subito, sed gradatim’.

A ‘Theology of Life’ in the Work of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI

His Eminence Cardinal the principles on which the the- speeches,2 and both these quali- Gerhard Ludwig Muller ology of natural moral law and ties cannot be called into ques- The Prefect of the the attempt at a successful life are tion, not least when it comes to Congregation for based: ‘Do good and avoid evil’ those who suffer, to those who the Doctrine of the Faith, – this is the first element which have handicaps, and to those who the Holy See in its turn is valid for all the are not yet born. The dignity of most concrete principles, rights life is inherent in human nature. and obligations that govern the And from this emerges the rights uring his address to the Inter- lives of individuals. In this con- and duties of man as regards his Dnational Theological Com- text, for Benedict XVI, attention neighbour when he meets him mission in 2007, Pope Benedict paid to the dignity of life, already concretely, and as regards society XVI launched an invitation to starting at its beginnings and go- which is understood as the social justify and describe the founda- ing on until its natural end, is the fabric in which individuals move. tions of a universal ethic – that necessary pre-condition for life The consequences for the de- broad and general ethic ‘that is (which for men is an inviolable bate about bioethics should be part of the great patrimony of hu- good cannot be disposed of as discussed within this fundamen- man knowledge which in a cer- one pleases) being perceived and tal framework. Can it be justifia- tain way constitutes the ration- accepted as a gift of the creator. ble, given that human cloning is al creature’s participation in the Life, as a gift of God, has its own technically attainable, to freeze eternal law of God’.1 In addi- dignity and its own inviolability, embryos, or, having available bi- tion, the Pope Emeritus named as Benedict emphasised in other omedical technologies that are

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able to nurture claims and ex- domain in which interpersonal life Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25- pectations, to assess the life of a is shaped. ‘It is in the family’, ob- 37) which he gave in Chile in person only from these points of served Benedict XVI, ‘that peace- the summer of 1988 and which view? How can one deny that hu- makers, tomorrow’s promoters of is now also to be found published man beings are no longer treated a culture of life and love, are born as an appendix to the volume In- as ‘someone’ but as ‘something’ and nurtured’.4 troduzione al Cristianesimo (Op- made non-human for the purpos- era Omnia, vol. 4).6 In his famous es of research which is able to go ‘Introduction to Christianity’ he beyond the boundaries of bioethi- An Existential Foundation illustrates the Creed as the key cal responsibility?3 by which to interpret our lives: For Benedict XVI, relativism The roots of deep knowledge of where existence wants to be inter- and subjectivism are the cause life in the eyes of God, and of an preted according to the matrix of of a way of thinking according understanding of the character of faith and at the same time wants to which immorality is seen as a the gift of life itself, are inherent to be understood by that matrix. moral good. If man is assigned in the existential and sacramen- And it could not be otherwise. life by other men on the basis of tal foundation that permeates the At the beginning of this re- criteria of convenience, accord- theology of Joseph Ratzinger. The search there is the question posed ing to the principle of the best re- words of the Apostle Paul to the to Jesus by a doctor of the law: turn and mere self-evidence, then Galatians (2:20), ‘It is no longer what is the right way to live? the possibility of depriving him I who live, but Christ who lives What do I have to do to manage of this life would also as a con- in me’, place ‘life’ in the domain to be a man? These are questions sequence appear to be legitimate. of an experience of conversion that concern each one of us and to In relativism, man is deprived that provides us with the coor- which we would like to have an- of the non-disposable character dinates for a life based on faith. swers. Is it enough for us to have of life, as well as of his own dig- This is an aware orientation to- money, to have influence over nity which is subjected to the cri- wards truth, towards love for faith other people, or is it power that teria of human competence. One and above all for the contents of assures us real life? And the an- can observe the impact of the faith that determine life. One can swer is found not least in recog- consequences of such a reduc- speak of a sort of ‘change of sub- nising that one can lead a life that tion of the value of human life by ject’ whose purpose is interior ori- is genuine and consonant with considering the examples of the entation towards Christ and it is truth only if its origins and goal family and marriage. A marriage the task of men to follow Christ are considered, that is to say the contracted voluntarily between and imitate him. Life, therefore, creation and being a creature, as two people, having value for the takes the meaning of a change in well as eternal life. God has as- whole of life, would be reduced direction, of a struggle for truth in signed to man a mission in the to a social convention and its es- an existential and philosophical world and in due time man must sence could be modified at will. sense with the challenges posed realise this. Life in the eyes of Concepts such as the family, tak- by the questions of the contem- God cannot, therefore, mean that ing care of children, and respect porary world. The ‘Regensburg man is his own yardstick and can for the elderly and the sick, would Lecture’ of 2006, and the discus- therefore lead a life that denies his be subordinated to the prevalent sion held with the German soci- neighbour his own independence opinion and by this subjected to ologist Jürgen Habermas in Mu- and his being a creature of God. arbitrary will… nich in Bavaria in 2004, or again Rather, it means acting in order In his ‘Message on the Occa- the discourse with Marcello Pera, to bring into the world a gleam of sion of the World Day of Peace of demonstrate the seriousness of divine goodness.7 So here is the 2013’, Benedict XVI expressed his thought – for that matter doc- first criterion: true life, for man, himself in a clear way about so- umented many years previously means living so that there is God, called secular society and the oth- – about the broad questions and aware of the fact that it is God er religions. The single great hu- issues of ‘life’ under the heading who has entrusted a ‘mission’ to man family which embraces the of the right to truth, to life and each one of us. whole of the world, organised into to hope. In his encyclical Cari- The right path for life pass- small circles of interpersonal re- tas in veritate Benedict XVI took es by way of acceptance of the lationships and institutions with a up the encyclical Populorum pro- commandment ‘Love the Lord political and ecclesiastical profile, gressio of the Blessed Pope Paul your God with all of your heart, is animated and underpinned by a VI when he quoted the follow- with all of your soul, with all of communitarian ‘We’ that includes ing words from it: ‘in the design your strength and with all of your life in its entirety. By life one also of God, every man is called upon mind!’ and ‘Love your neighbour understands here the construction to develop and fulfil himself, for as yourself’ (Luke 10:27). This of a coexistence based upon truth, every life is a vocation’.5 Life is co-penetration of life becomes, freedom, love and justice, starting the development and exploration therefore, the very pathway to fol- with great social relationships at of faith and the search for truth. low for a just and successful life. the level of the state and society Joseph Ratzinger was able to It is not enough to believe at a the- and going on to the family which give clear concrete expression to oretical level – one has to accept is understood as the primordial this aspect in the homily on the God as the fundamental aspect of

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our lives.8 This is the fundamental who is the head of this people and Word becomes theology of the In- requisite for a happy life because, in the crucifixion and the resur- carnation. The dedication of the depending on God, it constitutes rection makes us today partici- Son to the Father is the outcome at the same time the revelation of pants in the ultimate sacrifice of of an intra-divine dialogue: it be- an existential greatness for every the Son of God as a unique mo- comes acceptance and thus offer- individual man. ment in the history of the world. ing of the creation summarised To live, therefore, means to share in man. This body, or better the in Christ and his salvific mission, man-being of Jesus, is the prod- Spe salvi which will have no end and is al- uct of obedience, the outcome of ways present. the love of the Son who responds Spe salvi, the second encyclical Models of life such as the indi- to the Father. It is, so to speak, a of Benedict XVI, at n. 27 coins vidualism of salvation or Pelagi- prayer that has become concrete. the following programmatic state- an self-redemption are revealed to In this sense, the man-being of ment about the concept of life in be a pathway that is inaccessible Jesus is already contents that are relation to the Christian hope for true life. Benedict XVI, in his entirely spiritual, with a ‘divine’ of achieving fulfilment: ‘Man’s first encyclical Deus caritas est, origin.9 great, true hope which holds firm also speaks about the exercise of in spite of all disappointments can charity as an integral part of the only be God – God who has loved Church, something that is clearly Life – Theory of the Creation – us and who continues to love us reflected in her mission. Living in Faith “to the end,” until all “is accom- Living means community. plished” (cf. Jn 13:1 and 19:30). Living means acting for the The theology of life in the Whoever is moved by love be- poor and the sick, dedicating one- thought of Ratzinger should be gins to perceive what “life” re- self to those in need, respecting understood against the back- ally is. He begins to perceive the dignity and autonomy…The com- ground of his theology of the cre- meaning of the word of hope that munity moment of life does not ation. As was the case with St. we encountered in the Baptismal end in a sociologically definable Bonaventure, for Benedict XVI, Rite: from faith I await “eternal institution such as the state but, as well, faith should be lived life” – the true life which, whole rather, is realised in love and in within the domain of the demand and unthreatened, in all its full- dedication to neighbour. for universal salvation as a soon ness, is simply life. Jesus, who Living means seeing God who as man recognises that everything said that he had come so that we has given us freedom, deciding that exists comes from God the might have life and have it in its for Him, and behaving according Creator. If, however, life in faith fullness, in abundance (cf. Jn to human nature. is reduced to a subjective feeling 10:10), has also explained to us Living means having self-per- of interiority, so that everyone can what “life” means: “this is eternal ception in the domain of the re- feel and think what they want and life, that they know you the only sponsibility that we have as crea- what pleases them, Christian spir- true God, and Jesus Christ whom tures of God and accepting our ituality is detached from the ob- you have sent” (Jn 17:3). Life in own value in our relationship jective world of matter. The life of its true sense is not something we with God and our neighbour. faith in this case is assigned to the have exclusively in or from our- merely personal and thus appears selves: it is a relationship. And to be reduced to a procrastinat- life in its totality is a relationship Knowledge of God ing or an alienation of human sur- with him who is the source of life. in the Life of Man vival. Biblical faith is something If we are in relation with him who completely different, as expressed does not die, who is Life itself and For Christian faith, the mean- in the message of the Immaculate Love itself, then we are in life. ing of life lies in accepting the Conception and the tomb that was Then we “live”’. love of God for men which was found empty: God is able to cre- revealed once and for ever in Je- ate new things for the world and sus Christ, a love that opens to us to intervene in the sphere of the Life is Relationships at the same time the way to God. body. One cannot reduce God to Knowledge of God and encounter mere subjective interiority, as The salient point is the concept with God, for Joseph Ratzinger/ though He were not reality, while of ‘relationships’. Life does not Benedict XVI, are not theoreti- the world of matter obeys its own imply an isolated and monadic life cal questions but a praxis of life. and different law. far from other people but, rather, The incarnation of God implies With this Christological ap- it sees its vocation in community. that the obedience of the Son to proach, in the theological work First of all, community with God. the will of the Father was incar- of Ratzinger one can find numer- He is the one who creates life and nated in the world and in a con- ous parallels with, and references leads it to completion. Then there crete form of life (cf. Heb 10; Ps to, the encyclicals of his prede- is the community of the Church, 40 [39],7–9). Since then, the most cessor on the throne of St. Peter. the people of God called by Jesus important implementation of faith In the pastoral constitution on – who are led back to God in the has no longer been listening but the Church in the modern world, Eucharist – as the body of Christ, ‘Incarnation’: the theology of the Gaudium et spes, which Cardinal

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Karol Wojtyła to a substantial ex- ryone is in heaven. What it means my own You, that is to say the Fa- tent cooperated in producing, we in heaven we will be taught by he, ther?’12 read: ‘The truth is that only in the of whom, by men with signs from The ‘old man’ is superseded mystery of the incarnate Word outside, we have been told to be by the ‘new man’ who is ‘made does the mystery of man take on taught, going back towards him in the image of Christ’ because light’ (GS, n. 22). The history of inside ourselves’.10 Christ dwells in the life of each humanity reached its insuperable Every individual bears writ- one of us. In Ephesians 3:17, the summit with the incarnation of ten in his heart what he must do following is stated on the sub- the Son of God. Pope John Paul with his own life, what pathway ject: ‘and that Christ may dwell II wrote in his encyclical Redemp- to follow, and how the time that in your hearts through faith; that tor hominis of 1979: ‘This act of is available to him should be you, being rooted and grounded redemption marked the high point spent, and it is specifically in the in love…’. The interior formal of the history of man within God’s heart that these answers should be law of human existence, as well loving plan. God entered the his- looked for and interpreted. as of the whole of history, is thus tory of humanity and, as a man, In listening to the ‘interior the life of Jesus. became an actor in that history, teacher’, each individual learns to Benedict XVI has shaped the one of the thousands of millions tune his own life to the spirit of Je- whole of his life in the light of this of human beings but at the same sus. Romano Guardini, by whom, orientation towards Jesus Christ, time Unique!’ (n. 1). The Son of as early as the beginnings of his as a priest, as a professor, as a God enters the history of every theological activity, Joseph Ratz- bishop, as a Cardinal and, lastly, man ensuring that he discovers inger was influenced, above all as during the eight years of his work his own greatness and dignity be- regards these issues of an anthro- as Pastor of the Universal Church. fore God. Pope John Paul II adds pological character, wrote as fol- A life in the eyes of God and at the in this encyclical: ‘and because lows: ‘In every Christian Christ service of God and His Church. with man-with each man without relives, so to speak, his own life; any exception whatever-Christ is first of all he is a child, and then in a way united‘(n. 14). Every- he gradually reaches maturity, un- Notes one is called to reach ‘the summit til he has fully reached the high- 1 Benedict XVI, Address to the Mem- which is God Himself’ to live his est age of a Christian. He grows bers of the International Theological Com- own life in the image and likeness in this sense: his faith grows, his mission, 5 October 2007. of God. charity grows stronger, the Chris- 2 Cf. Benedict XVI, Speech to the New Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, 15 tian becomes increasingly perspi- September 2007; and his Address to those caciously aware of being a Chris- Taking Part in the Plenary Session of the God – Teacher of Life tian, and he lives his Christian life Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 31 January 2008. with increasing depth and respon- 3 11 Cf. Benedict XVI, Address to those God does not draw near to the sibility’. Referring to Ephesians Taking Part in the Plenary Session of the pathway of life of man from the 4:13, Romano Guardini, as re- Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 31 January 2008. outside. To live means also to take gards the spiritual growth of the 4 Benedict XVI, Message for the Cel- decisions within ourselves and to faithful to the point of achieving ebration of the Forty-sixth World Day of allow ourselves to be led by God. maturity in Christ, observed: ‘An Peace, n. 6, 1 January 2013. 5 Caritas in veritate, n. 16; Populorum St. Augustine, one of the great incredible thought! Who could progressio, n. 15. theological teachers of Benedict argue this other than in faith, by 6 Cf. Joseph Ratzinger, Einführung in XVI, emphasised that God guides which Christ is truly the compen- das Christentum (Gesammelte Schriften [JRGS], vol. 4), edited by Gerhard Ludwig and accompanies man from with- dium of all things, and in charity Müller (Herder, Friburg, 2014), pp. 481– in his own spiritual pathway as a that wants to become one thing 485. ‘teacher’. ‘Indeed, we must not with him? Or would perhaps the 7 Ibid., p. 481. idea be bearable of being con- 8 Ibid., p. 482. only have faith but begin, as well, 9 Joseph Ratzinger, Il Dio di Gesù to have intelligence of the truth of joined to one – not only conjoined Cristo. Meditazioni sul Dio Uno e Trino what by divine teaching has been in life and action but conjoined in (Queriniana, Brescia, 1978, 22005), p. 71 s. written, that is to say we must not being and in the self – if I were 10 Saint augustine, De magistro, 14.46. 11 Romano Guardini, Il Signore (Vita e see anyone as our teacher on earth not loved like him by whom I find pensiero, Milan, 1976), p. 563. because the only teacher of eve- my own I, that of the Son of God; 12 Ibidem.

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The Encycical Laudato Si’: a Hymn to the Gospel of the Creation

H.E. Msgr. Marcelo cludes ecological imbalances, so- cause everything relates to God. Sanchéz Sorondo cial justice and spiritual responsi- Francis tries to unite what moder- Chancellor of the Pontifical bility. nity has cut off or separated: on Academy of Sciences, the one hand, human beings, and, the Holy See on the other, the earth; on the one The Religious Vision of ‘Sister hand ecology and the natural envi- Earth’ ronment, and, on the other, human e are called to be instru- ecology and above all else God ‘Wments of God our Father, This message/appeal is first and and His creation. Francis unites so that our planet might be what foremost profoundly religious be- the two dimensions in a revolu- he desired when he created it and cause it sees the world as the house tionary and integrated approach in correspond with his plan for peace, of God, a gift that God has given what he calls ‘integral ecology’, beauty and fullness’ (LS, n. 53). to human beings, who are made because the home that God gave to The appeal that Pope Francis in His image, so that they would men and women must be a com- makes in Laudato Si’ is a found- steward it and organise it accord- mon home ‘like a sister with whom ing text of the Magisterium. It is ing to its potentialities for the good we share our life and a beauti- profoundly religious and scien- of men and women everywhere, ful mother who opens her arms to tific at one and the same time: it for ever. Chesterton, in his incom- embrace us. “Praise be to you, my starts with faith, passes by way of parable Life of St. Francis, affirms Lord, through our Sister, Mother philosophical and ethical analysis, that the saint of Assisi revealed to Earth, who sustains and governs and then adopts the most accurate us the truth of the sky and the earth, us, and who produces various fruit knowledge available of the natu- created by God and redeemed by with coloured flowers and herbs”’ ral and social sciences. In essen- Christ, in their profound sacred- (LS, n. 1). The Pope is very care- tial terms, it affirms that the plan- ness, whereas the Greco-Roman ful not to offer specific technical et on which we are living is our mentality, which was impregnated solutions. And yet some Chris- sister ‘common home’ and that with mythology, saw in the sky and tians hesitate – they say once again it is sick because of forms of ill- the earth, in the constellations and a Pope who ‘engages in politics’! treatment that have been afflicted in life, only testimony to the pas- Francis inscribes his objectives in on it by the few, whereas many sions of the gods and demi-gods. the depths of the mystery of love people have to endure its negative Thus, to assert, as one candidate of the creation. Probably he bases consequences. The word ‘ecol- for the presidency of the United himself here, as elsewhere, on St. ogy’ derives from eikos and log- States of America has done, that Thomas: ‘Just as we say that the os which in Greek mean respec- the message of Francis is not re- tree blossoms through the flowers, tively ‘home’ and ‘order’, that is ligious because it talks about the so we say that the Father through to say the science of ordering the earth, means not to understand the Word, or through the Son, says single house of everyone, namely true religion. Francis must be con- himself and us, and that the Father the common home. Pope Francis cerned about the earth as a require- and the Son love each other and addresses the men and women of ment of the gospel, and not only us through the Holy Spirit, that is today, inviting them not to prac- about faith and people’s customs. to say the love that proceeds from tise ‘a false or superficial ecol- This is because, as we will see later them (Sth I, q. 37, a. 2). ogy which bolsters complacency in this paper, a human being can- Concrete humanity – the people and a cheerful recklessness’ (LS, not live without a healthy, good who live in the ‘common home’ n. 59). Attentive to the cry of the and fine environment in an over- – is invited to decipher the mes- poor brought about by the climate all sense. As St. Thomas Aquinas sage of trust that God has offered he returns to the heart of the gos- observed: ‘In holy doctrine every- since the beginning: ‘The entire pel, to the ‘Beatitudes’, and to thing is addressed from the point material universe speaks of God’s Matthew 25 ‘Whenever you did of view of God; either because it love, his boundless affection for it to one of the least of my breth- is God Himself or because it is or- us’ (LS, n. 84). ren, you did it to me’. He locates dered to Him as a beginning and an his new concept of ‘integral ecol- end’ (Sth I, q. 1, a. 7 c). Naturally ogy’ within the social thought of enough, all things, because created The Data of the Natural the Church, on a par with dignity, from nothing, have a relationship Sciences Adopted by Francis freedom of conscience, fraternity, with God as their beginning and the universal destination of goods, their end, and thus the Pope must However, on the basis of the ev- solidarity…Integral ecology in- be concerned with everything be- idence demonstrated by the natu-

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ral and social sciences, ‘This sister Coming to the crucial point, the cannot tell us what the real situa- now cries out to us because of the Pope accepts that ‘there are other tion of the earth is today: knowl- harm we have inflicted on her by factors (such as volcanic activity, edge about this situation belongs our irresponsible use and abuse of variations in the earth’s orbit and to science. Therefore faith and rea- the goods with which God has en- axis, the solar cycle)’ that can con- son, philosophical knowledge and dowed her. We have come to see tribute to global warming but he scientific knowledge, have been ourselves as her lords and masters, denounces forcefully those causes united for the first time in the papal entitled to plunder her at will’ (LS, of this evil which can be scientifi- Magisterium of Laudato Si’. n. 2) without in the least consider- cally identifiable. He declares that ing her potential and her laws, as ‘a number of scientific studies in- though one was dealing with inert dicate that most global warming in The Knowledge of the Social material. It is difficult for the Pope, recent decades is due to the great Sciences Adopted by the as it is for everyone, to understand concentration of greenhouse gas- Encyclical how it has been possible to arrive es (carbon dioxide, methane, ni- at this destructive violence of man trogen oxides and others) released One of the axes which under- against himself, against his breth- mainly as a result of human activ- lies and traverses this encyclical is ren and against his habitat. The ity’ (LS, n. 23). the intimate relationship that exists Pope here gives himself over to a The contribution of the earth sci- between the fragility of the planet theological observation: ‘The vio- ences is very determining, Laudato and the poor of the whole world lence present in our hearts, wound- Si’ does not only speak about the (individuals and populations). One ed by sin, is also reflected in the problem of the climate, which is is dealing here with the deep be- symptoms of sickness evident in not mentioned in the Bible, it also lief that in the world everything the soil, in the water, in the air and argues that human activity involv- is interconnected intimately and in all forms of life’. For this reason, ing ‘fossil fuels’ is the principal causally. In other words, ‘Climate concludes Francis, among the most cause of global warming. And it change is a global problem with abandoned and maltreated, there is is here that Francis, remembering grave implications: environmental, our oppressed and devastated earth his youthful days studying chemis- social, economic, political and for which ‘“groans in travail” (Rom try, seems to be happy to describe the distribution of goods. It repre- 8:22). We have forgotten that we the phenomenon of global warm- sents one of the principal challeng- ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. ing with reference to the natural es facing humanity in our day (LS, Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made sciences: ‘As these gases build up n. 25). This encyclical is not eco- up of her elements, we breathe her in the atmosphere, they hamper the logical; it is not ‘green’. It is, first air and we receive life and refresh- escape of heat produced by sun- and foremost, a social document. ment from her waters’ (LS, n. 2). light at the earth’s surface’. In ad- Poor populations, even though The Pope then moves from a dition, he observes that his ‘prob- they are less responsible, are those theological basis centred around lem is aggravated by a model of which are most severely hit. Laud- the gospel to an examination and development based on the inten- ato Si’ tells us that ‘Its worst im- adoption of the most accurate and sive use of fossil fuels, which is at pact will probably be felt by de- up-to-date data provided by sci- the heart of the worldwide energy veloping countries in coming ence. On the basis of this, Francis, system’ (LS, n. 23). decades. Many of the poor live for the first time in the Magiste- At the same time, the Pope ex- in areas particularly affected by rium of the Church, speaks about plains that ‘Warming has effects phenomena related to warming, the climate as ‘a common good, on the carbon cycle. It creates a vi- and their means of subsistence are belonging to all and meant for all’. cious circle which aggravates the largely dependent on natural re- And he defines it, at the global lev- situation even more, affecting the serves and ecosystemic services el, as ‘a complex system linked to availability of essential resources such as agriculture, fishing and many of the essential conditions like drinking water, energy and ag- forestry’ (LS, n. 25). for human life’ Then, employing ricultural production in warmer re- Climate change provokes the for the first time the concepts and gions, and leading to the extinction migration of animals and plants the words of science, he argues of part of the planet’s biodiversity’ which do not always manage to that a ‘very solid scientific consen- (LS, n. 24). adapt, and this in turn influenc- sus indicates that we are presently We may emphasise once again es the means of production of witnessing a disturbing warming the novelty of the epistemology of the poorest of the planet who see of the climatic system’. He also Laudato Si’. Although the state- themselves compelled to emigrate, states, and in a precise way, adopt- ment that the earth is our home and with great uncertainty about their ing the observations of these disci- we ourselves are its stewards has a future and the future of their chil- plines, that ‘In recent decades this Biblical root, the observation that dren. Laudato Si’ states: ‘There warming has been accompanied by the climatic crisis of global warm- has been a tragic rise in the number a constant rise in the sea level and, ing due to human activities that of migrants seeking to flee from it would appear, by an increase of use combustible fuels is purely the growing poverty caused by en- extreme weather events, even if a scientific in character. The Bible vironmental degradation. They are scientifically determinable cause tells us that human beings have to not recognized by international cannot be assigned to each particu- conserve and develop the earth ac- conventions as refugees; they bear lar phenomenon’ (LS, n. 23). cording to the plan of God but it the loss of the lives they have left

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behind, without enjoying any legal This, however, ‘should not make the world, especially Africa, where protection whatsoever’ (LS, n. 25). us overlook the abandonment and a rise in temperature, together with neglect also experienced by some drought, has proved devastating rural populations which lack ac- for farming. There is also the dam- The Consequences for Human cess to essential services and age caused by the export of solid Health where some workers are reduced waste and toxic liquids to develop- to conditions of servitude, without ing countries, and by the pollution The Pope echoes the convinc- rights or even the hope of a more produced by companies which oping and detailed explanations of dignified life’ (LS, n. 154). erate in less developed countries in our academician Professor. V. Ra- After the crimes of slavery, of ways they could never do at home, manathan: ‘Some forms of pollu- colonialism and of totalitarian- in the countries in which they raise tion are part of people’s daily ex- ism of recent centuries, human- their capital’ (LS, n. 51). perience. Exposure to atmospheric ity – and the very idea of the in- Thus, ‘every ecological ap- pollutants produces a broad spec- tangible value of human life – is proach needs to incorporate a so- trum of health hazards, especially thus once again threatened at the cial perspective’, as well as an eco- for the poor, and causes millions of level of its existence and its dig- logical and political one, ‘which premature deaths’ (LS, n. 20). The nity and freedom. All of these dra- takes into account the fundamen- poorest populations fall ill. For ex- matic situations of poverty and so- tal rights of the poor and the un- ample, ‘People take sick, for ex- cial exclusion, which are caused or derprivileged’ (LS, n. 93), and vice ample, from breathing high levels made worse principally by global versa every socio-political stance of smoke from fuels used in cook- warming, create a fertile terrain must have an integrated ecological ing or heating. There is also pollu- for new forms of slavery and hu- dimension. tion that affects everyone, caused man trafficking, such as forced by transport, industrial fumes, sub- labour, prostitution, organ traf- stances which contribute to the ficking, drug addiction, etc. It is Solutions in Favour of an acidification of soil and water, fer- clear that full employment and full ‘Integral Ecology’: we are Still tilizers, insecticides, fungicides, schooling constitute the great de- in Time to Solve the Problem herbicides and agrotoxins in gen- fence against poverty, prostitution, eral’ (LS, n. 20). drug addiction and the drug trade. This invitation to safeguard the Pope Francis also states that: Despite this fact, reducing our lev- ‘common home’ is the most ur- ‘The impact of present imbalances els of carbon is not a mere envi- gent appeal that God makes to is also seen in the premature death ronmental question! The ‘anthro- man, asking him to set himself of many of the poor, in conflicts pocene’, a term proposed by our to work. What, therefore, could sparked by the shortage of resourc- pontifical academicians to define be the solutions? ‘Developing the es, and in any number of other the new geological era, in which created world in a prudent way is problems which are insufficient- the model of development is based the best way of caring for it, as ly represented on global agendas’ upon human activity that uses this means that we ourselves be- (LS, n. 48). combustible fuels, and which has come the instrument used by God In reality, there is not a suffi- made the earth sick, is ‘the larg- to bring out the potential which he ciently clear and active awareness est building site for the defence of himself inscribed in things: “The of the problems that afflict the ex- human rights of our epoch’ (Ms- Lord created medicines out of the cluded in particular, increasing as gr. Desmond Tutu, preface to his earth, and a sensible man will not a result poverty and exclusion. The book Stop Climate Crimes). despise them” (Sir 38:4)’ (LS, n. poor and the excluded ‘the major- It is for this reason that Francis 124). Taking care of the earth is ity of the planet’s population, bil- uses both the social sciences and not like taking care of museum lions of people. These days, they the natural sciences. In a globalised which conserves and keeps works are mentioned in international po- world, we cannot but recognise that of art which do not have a biolog- litical and economic discussions, a true social approach is connected ical life. Taking care of the earth but one often has the impression with ecology, and vice versa that means developing it on the ba- that their problems are brought ‘a true ecological approach always sis of the vital potential that God up as an afterthought, a question becomes a social approach; it must placed in it, in accord with sci- which gets added almost out of integrate questions of justice in de- entific discoveries and activities, duty or in a tangential way, if not bates on the environment’. There- for the common good of man, treated merely as collateral dam- fore, argues Pope Francis, we have for the sustainable development age. Indeed, when all is said and to ‘hear both the cry of the earth of our planet, paying attention done, they frequently remain at the and the cry of the poor’ (LS, n. 49). to generational and inter-genera- bottom of the pile. This is due part- There is also a geopolitical fac- tional solidarity, that is to say in ly to the fact that many profession- tor. This first physical globalisa- practice leaving to our children als, opinion makers, communication of the warming of the air and the inheritance of an earth that is tions media and centres of power, the oceans of our planet demon- more healthy than sick. In paral- being located in affluent urban ar- strates that: ‘The warming caused lel, engaging in integral ecology eas, are far removed from the poor, by huge consumption on the part means removing, in as quick a with little direct contact with their of some rich countries has reper- time as possible, social exclusion problems’ (LS, n. 49). cussions on the poorest areas of and marginalisation, in particular

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poverty and new forms of slavery, appreciation of the immense dig- who hunger and thirst for right- which are now the most remuner- nity of the poor in the light of our eousness, by the merciful, by the ative business of traffickers. deepest convictions as believers’. pure in heart, by the peacemak- Pope Francis affirms that ‘In the Francis concluded: ‘We need only ers, by those who are persecuted present condition of global soci- look around us to see that, today, for the sake of Christ’s name, “for ety, where injustices abound and this option is in fact an ethical im- theirs is the kingdom of heaven” growing numbers of people are de- perative essential for effectively (cf. Mt 5:1-11). May the grace be prived of basic human rights and attaining the common good’ (LS, forged by those who today, are rel- considered expendable, the prin- n. 158). egated to the category of slaves, of ciple of the common good imme- In definitive terms, differently objects to be exploited or simply diately becomes, logically and in- from the golden rule, in the Beati- be rejected, by the idolatrous sys- evitably, a summons to solidarity tudes the other is a suffering being tem of the throwaway culture’. and a preferential option for the to whom the gospel never ceases And we make this request, de- poorest of our brothers and sis- to give a central place. This suffer- clared the Pope, because Latin ters’ (LS, n. 158). One is dealing, ing is defined not only by physical America is the ‘continent of hope’! therefore, with aspiring to a com- pain, or by moral or mental pain, ‘For we expect from it new models mon good that takes these various but also by the diminution or even of development, which link Chris- areas into account, honouring the destruction of the ability to be and tian tradition to civil progress, jus- gift that God granted to everyone to act, to be able to act, which are tice and equity to reconciliation, in the fight for dignity, and embod- seen as an attack on the integrity scientific and technological devel- ying the care that the Lord has for of the person. You know this bet- opment to human wisdom, fruit- the most marginalised, transform- ter than me. And the novelty, com- ful suffering to hopeful joy. This ing socio-political mechanisms so pared to the golden rule, that ap- hope can be protected only by as to reduce inequalities, recog- pears in the Beatitudes is a sort great amounts of truth and love, nising the infinite patience and the of equity, at the origin of which the foundations of all reality, rev- mercy of God towards men and there is a man who suffers and olutionary engines of an authentic women, and nurturing faith, hope who, thanks to the suffering that is new life’. and charity. shared with the other, makes him- The German philosopher Haber- We could quote here the golden self suffer. The love required by mas, in his dialogue with Cardinal rule, the foundation of all civilisa- the Beatitudes cannot be confused Ratzinger, affirmed that to save to- tions and religious traditions, ‘do with simple pity, which the other day’s world ‘a liberal political cul- not do to others what you would can secretly enjoy knowing that he ture can also require secular citi- not have them do to you’, or, ex- is spared. The self who really lives zens to take part in the undertaking pressed in positive terms, ‘what the Beatitudes, whose power to of the translation of meaningful you want men to do unto you, do act is initially greater than that of materials of religious language in- unto them’ (Lk 6:31). However, the other who suffers, is gratified to a language that is accessible to this rule would deserve today to be by everything that the other offers everyone’. The most meaningful interpreted in the light of the gos- him in exchange, because from the materials of religious language, the pel Beatitudes according to Mat- other that suffers proceeds a gift most revolutionary, most relevant thew 5, and of the protocol by that does not derive exactly from to now, most human and most di- which we will be judged in Mat- his power to act and to exist but vine, shortest and most profound, thew 25, which are addressed to from his very weakness. Perhaps discourse that a religious man has others, to the poorest and to the the supreme test of the love that ever pronounced during the course most in need in relation to their ex- the Beatitudes require comes spe- of history is the discourse of the istential and real situations of suf- cifically in the hour of agony, in Beatitudes, the Sermon on the fering. To choose the Beatitudes that sharing that is the murmuring Mount of Jesus. Politicians, men of and the poor, those who suffer, of voices or the weak embrace of the social sciences, medical doc- those who weep, those who pure of hands that hold each other. tors and health-care workers are all heart, the meek, the merciful, the Pope Francis, in his homily of called to reflect on how to embody peace-makers, those who love and the ‘Misa Criolla’ of A. Ramirez in the Beatitudes both in politics and are persecuted for justice’s sake, is 2014, which was given on the oc- in society and in the relationship a choice that transcends the golden casion of the feast day of Our La- between the medical doctor and rule, which is too abstract to ad- dy of Guadeloupe, said that ‘The the patient, but also as concrete dress the suffering of other people Magnificat thus introduces us to common goods of globalised so- and those most in need. The op- the Beatitudes, the primordial syn- ciety, and, lastly, as new norms of tion of following the Beatitudes thesis and law of the Gospel mes- the common good. Welcome is the ‘entails recognizing the implica- sage. In light of the Magnificat, let thinker, the academic, the medical tions of the universal destination us feel compelled today to ask for doctor, the health-care worker and of the world’s goods’, but, as the a grace, a wholly Christian grace, the religious or social leader who Pope ‘mentioned in the Apostolic that the future of Latin America be can transmit the programme of the Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, forged by the poor and by those Beatitudes of Christ to contempo- [123] it demands before all else an who suffer, by the meek, by those rary globalised society!

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Contemporary Climate Change and the Imperative to Safeguard the Creation

Prof. Hans Joachim tion could develop and flourish. of it and it turns into the opposite Schellnhuber It brought about the invention of – or, in our example, into a ter- Director livestock farming and crop culti- rible headache the next morning. Dr. Jascha Lehmann vation – the Neolithic revolution In case of the greenhouse effect, Scientific Analyst – that set the stage for a rapidly the relationship reads like this:

growing human population. Right the more CO2 is released into Potsdam Institute for Climate now, we are about to leave this the atmosphere, the stronger the Impact Research – PIK climate paradise because of the greenhouse effect is and the more Germany way we live, consume and pro- additional energy is put into the duce. system. Right now, we are turn- In order to grasp why contem- ing this screw with severe conse- n November 2013, the tropical porary climate change is funda- quences for ourselves and planet Istorm ‘Haiyan’, the strongest ty- mentally different to changes in earth. phoon ever recorded, made land- the past, we need to understand Human interference with the fall in the Philippines. Peak wind how the earth’s climate evolves climate – the C-Story of human- speeds reached 315km/h and, in according to the laws of physics. kind so to speak – can be used combination with the associated There are basically two decisive to re-narrate important steps in storm surge, devastated the cen- factors which determine our cli- modern history. It started with tral Philippines, killing more than mate. One is the variation of solar the industrial revolution in the 6,000 people. Only two years lat- irradiation which mainly depends early eighteenth century in Eng- er, the record-breaking hurricane on how the earth is oriented to- land, and from there it spread ‘Patricia’ crossed the western bor- wards the sun. This effect is able over nearly the entire world in der of Mexico with similar max- to explain long-term changes be- the context of globalisation. One imum wind speeds. Luckily, the tween glacial and inter-glacial country after the other entered

eye of the storm travelled over a periods and can be calculated ex- the map of cumulative CO2 emis- sparsely populated area north of actly using today’s computational sions (Fig. 1). Twice in history,

Manzanillo. These two single ex- power. The Serbian mathemati- the largest CO2 emitting nations treme events fit well into the pic- cian Milutin Milancovic summa- clashed with each other, resulting ture of a conspicuous accumula- rised this theory for the first time in two devastating world wars. If tion of weather extremes over the in 1941 [Milankovic, 1941]. The a resumé had to be made today, last decades [Coumou and Rahm- other important factor driving the it would have to be one about storf, 2012]. Currently, we are climate is the greenhouse effect. growing inequality where only pumping additional energy into Simply speaking, incoming so- the richest part of the population the earth’s system equivalent to lar radiation with relatively short benefit from the industrial revo- roughly 18 times the total global wavelengths can pass through our lution whereas the poorest are primary energy supply [Hansen atmosphere whereas the outgoing suffering from its environmen- et al., 2011; International Energy long-wave (infrared) radiation is tal impacts. To sum it up in one Agency (IEA), 2012]. It is hence mainly absorbed by its ‘green- punch line: the carbon history of

not surprising that storms, which house gases’ (like CO2). Some of humankind is a story of exploita- draw their energy primarily from the outgoing radiation is hence re- tion. So would it not just be fair the temperature of the surface of flected back onto the earth’s sur- if all countries were allowed to oceans, have increased in inten- face leading to additional heating catch up on emissions with the sity. of the planet. This very basic pro- largest emitters today? Right, yet The climate has always changed cess had already been described we would need fifteen planets and glacial and inter-glacial peri- by the famous Swedish scientist similar to our earth, if not more! ods have alternated in the past at Svante Arrhenius in 1896 [Arrhe- The accumulation of anthropo-

time scales ranging from decades nius, 1896]. And until recently, genic CO2 in the atmosphere has to ten thousands of years. In this the greenhouse effect has been led to a precipitous increase in regard, it seems like a whim of a wonderful gift to humankind the global mean temperature (Fig. nature that for more than 11,000 – without it, global mean tem- 2a). It intuitively seems clear that years the climate virtually stabi- perature would be around -18°C. such a rapid change cannot simply lised at a relatively warm tem- Not very convenient for human be the result of natural forcing. In- perature tableau, the so-called beings… But as it is often the deed, it is now a well-established Holocene. This was the window case with wonderful things, like scientific consensus that today’s of opportunity in which civilisa- a glass of good wine, too much global warming is mainly caused

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by humans through the burning of ic Data Center, 2015] and hence ice sheet may collapse at a warm- fossil fuels [IPCC, 2013]. A clos- has put to rest the misleading de- ing of about 2°C, contributing to er look at the temperature curve bate about a ‘hiatus’ that appar- long-term sea-level rise of seven reveals more details in terms of ently never existed. But this is not metres [Robinson et al., 2012]. It natural year-to-year fluctuations the end of global warming: un- seems not surprising that a new (Fig. 2b). There are various rea- der a business-as-usual scenario, study indicates that even with rel- sons for such temperature varia- the planetary mean temperature atively moderate additional an-

tions. Among the most common will increase by about 4°C above thropogenic CO2 emissions, we triggers are volcanic eruptions. In pre-industrial levels by the end of will likely suppress the next ice 1991, the eruption of the volcano this century [IPCC, 2013]. This age which, under normal circum- Pinatubo in the Philippines blast- would fundamentally change liv- stances, would have begun ap- ed an estimated 20 million tonnes ing conditions on earth. proximately 50,000 years from of sulphur dioxide and ash parti- In a great attempt in 2015, 195 now [Ganopolski et al., 2016]. cles more than 20 km high into the nations agreed in Paris to keep the With unabated climate change, atmosphere, reducing incoming temperature increase to ‘well be- the implications for humanity solar radiation and thus lowering low 2°C’ compared to pre-indus- and the environment are unprec- surface temperatures [LeGrande trial levels. The most compelling edented and scary. And the poor- et al., 2015]. Another impor- argument for this guardrail comes est among the human population, tant natural driver of the climate from the behaviour of so-called who have contributed least to the is described by the so-called El tipping elements in the earth’s given situation, will be hit hard- Niño-Southern Oscillation. This system which have gained major est. Melting ice at the poles will is a fascinating phenomenon in attention in scientific and social reduce their gravitational pull and the tropical Pacific Ocean which debates over recent years [Lenton allow ocean water to flow more has direct and indirect impacts et al., 2008; Schellnhuber, 2009]. towards the equator. In addition, on weather conditions around the In general, climate change does developing countries in these re- globe. The corresponding index not happen gradually but abruptly. gions often have highly populated basically distinguishes between Crucial components of the earth’s coastal cities with no/inadequate two different states: El Niño and system, including geophysical urban planning and limited ad- its opposite, La Niña. During pe- patterns, cryospheric components aptation resources, making them riods of strong El Niños, warm and biospheric, entities may be especially vulnerable to sea-lev- tropical water masses shift from tipped into fundamentally differ- el rise and storm surges. Not to South East Asia to the west coast ent states once a critical thresh- mention that more severe heat ex- of Central and South America old is crossed. And the higher tremes are expected to occur par- where they strongly influence the global mean temperature, the ticularly in tropical regions [Cou- both local temperature and pre- higher the risk of crossing such mou and Robinson, 2013] with cipitation patterns. In general, El a tipping point (Fig. 3). In terms negative impacts on agricultur- Niño years are characterised by of risk assessment, it is clear that al production and food security anomalously high global mean global warming should be limited [World Bank, 2012; Rosenzweig temperatures. Last year’s El Niño to a level where no major tipping et al., 2014]. The growing world was much stronger than its prede- points are crossed. Unfortunate- population will exacerbate this cessors and studies indicate that ly, there is growing scientific evi- dramatic situation, especially in this trend will continue in the fu- dence that some tipping elements Africa and Asia where expected ture [Cai et al., 2014]. It is a great have already been pushed into an population growth is highest (90 advance of science that by now irreversible process or eventu- percent of projected global urban we are able adequately to antici- ally will be, even if we manage population growth) and climate pate such events. For example, to stay below the ambitious Par- impacts are among the strong- the 2014-2016 El Niño could al- is range (grey bar in Fig. 3). The est [United Nations - Department ready be predicted in September huge West Antarctic ice sheet is of Economic and Social Affairs - 2013, using the algorithm devel- a classic tipping element. Here, Population Division, 2015]. As a oped by Ludescherer et al. [2013, gigatonnes of ice accumulated result, humanity is on the move. 2014]. from many ice ages over count- In a recent flagship report, the So the time series of the glob- less millennia are grounded on Germany Advisory Council on al mean temperature is a rath- solid bedrock. Once molten and Global Change (WBGU) states er wiggly curve. However, it is released into the ocean, this mass that more than 2-3 billion people easy to see that its natural varia- yields about 3 metres of sea-level will move from the countryside to bility lies within an upward cor- rise [Feldmann and Levermann, the cities within the next few dec- ridor. The temperature increase 2015]. Recent studies have indi- ades, doubling the population of reached a new milestone last year, cated that warming ocean waters the world’s slums [German Advi- with 2015 being the hottest year have already triggered instabili- sory Council on Global Change on record [World Meteorological ties in this area of the ice, making (WBGU), 2016]. This will be the Organization, 2015]. This record it one of the most precarious ele- biggest migration movement hu- broke the previous one of 2014 ments of the earth’s system about man civilisation has ever seen. by an unprecedented margin of to tip [Mouginot et al., 2014; Ri- The Intergovernmental Panel 0.16°C [NOAA National Climat- gnot et al., 2014]. The Greenland on Climate Change (IPCC) and

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the most eminent scientific acad- [Rockström et al., 2009]. Right Hansen, J., M. Sato, P. Kharecha, and K. von Schuckmann (2011), ‘Earth’s emies, including the Pontifical now, we are about to cross many energy imbalance and implications’, At- Academy of Sciences and the of those boundaries. This espe- mos. Chem. Phys., 11(24), 13421–13449, Pontifical Academy of Social Sci- cially holds for climate change in doi:10.5194/acp-11-13421-2011. International Energy Agency (IEA) ences, have put great efforts into general and biodiversity in par- (2012), Key World Energy Statistics 2012. addressing the topics of climate ticular. We have the privilege and IPCC (2013), Climate Change 2013: change and global sustainability. the burden to live in a time span The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Particularly, there have been three when we can, and must, make a Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on key gatherings of the Pontifical decision about which direction we Climate Change, edited by T. F. Stocker, D. Academies on global sustainabil- want to pursue. At the moment, Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S. K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex, and ity in recent years. It started with humanity is on the way to running P. M. Midgley (Cambridge University Press, a scientific panel on ‘The Fate of into a climatic disaster with dras- Cambridge, United Kingdom and New the Mountain Glaciers in the An- tic consequences. But there is still York, NY, USA). LeGrande, A. N., K. J. Anchukaitis, thropocene’ in May 2011. Three hope. We have the necessary sci- L. von Gunten, and L. Goodwin (2015), years later, a workshop entitled entific knowledge and the techni- Past Global Changes: Volcanoes and Cli- ‘Sustainable Humanity, Sustain- cal solutions at hand to set out on mate. Lenton, T. M., H. Held, E. Kriegler, able Nature, Our Responsibility’ the right path. This will require J. W. Hall, W. Lucht, S. Rahmstorf, and was held in the Vatican City and a radical shift in most economic H. J. Schellnhuber (2008), ‘Tipping ele- this was followed by a summit on and social sectors. But in Nelson ments in the Earth’s climate system’, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 105(6), 1786–93, ‘Protect the Earth, Dignify Hu- Mandela’s words: ‘Everything doi:10.1073/pnas.0705414105. manity’ in 2015. seems impossible until it’s done’. Ludescher, J., A. Gozolchiani, M. I. Biodiversity is particularly high The time to act is now. Bogachev, A. Bunde, S. Havlin, and H. J. Schellnhuber (2013), Correction for in the maritime ecosystems, which Ludescher et al., ‘Improved El Nino fore- are put under pressure by climate casting by cooperativity detection’, Proc. change, because the oceans are Natl. Acad. Sci., 110(47), 19172–19173, References doi:10.1073/pnas.1317354110. warming and acidifying [Orr et Ludescher, J., A. Gozolchiani, M. al., 2005]. Studies have shown Andres, R. J., T. A. Boden, and G. I. Bogachev, A. Bunde, S. Havlin, and that even if we hold the 2°C line, Marland (2016), ‘Annual Fossil Fuel CO2 H. J. Schellnhuber (2014), ‘Very ear- Emissions : Mass of Emissions Gridded by ly warning of next El Niño’, Proc. Natl. large fractions of coral ecosys- One Degree Latitude by One Degree Lon- Acad. Sci., 111(6), 201323058, doi:10.1073/ tems will face extinction [Friel- gitude’, Carbon Dioxide Inf. Anal. Center, pnas.1323058111. er et al., 2012]. Coral bleaching Oak Ridge Natl. Lab. U.S. Dep. Energy, Marcott, S. a., J. D. Shakun, P. U. 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Rahmstorf (2012), Scheuchl (2014), ‘Sustained increase in sity. Another huge problem lies ‘A decade of weather extremes’, Nat. Clim. ice discharge from the Amundsen Sea Em- Chang., 2, 491–496, doi:10.1038/ncli- bayment, West Antarctica, from 1973 to within the growing volume of mate1452. 2013’, Geophys. Res. Lett., 41(5), 1576– plastic waste in the oceans. Plas- Coumou, D., and A. Robinson (2013), 1584, doi:10.1002/2013GL059069. tic debris is considered highly ‘Historic and future increase in the glob- NOAA National Climatic Data Center al land area affected by monthly heat ex- (2015), State of the Climate Reports: Glob- stable, potentially lasting for hun- tremes’, Environ. Res. Lett., 8(3), 034018, al Analysis for Annual 2015. dreds to thousands of years. Due doi:10.1088/1748-9326/8/3/034018. Orr, J. C. et al. (2005), ‘Anthropogenic to the small size of pieces of de- Cózar, A. et al. (2014), ‘Plastic debris ocean acidification over the twenty-first cen- in the open ocean’, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. tury and its impact on calcifying organisms’, bris (typically 1 cm in diameter U. S. A., 111, 10239– 10244, doi:10.1073/ Nature, 437(7059), 681–686, doi:10.1038/ or less), they can be ingested by pnas.1314705111. nature04095. various organisms ranging from Feldmann, J., and A. Levermann Rignot, E., J. Mouginot, M. Mor- (2015), ‘Collapse of the West Antarc- lighem, H. Seroussi, and B. Scheuchl small fish to large mammals [Có- tic Ice Sheet after local destabilization of (2014), ‘Widespread, rapid grounding line zar et al., 2014]. This poses a con- the Amundsen Basin’, Proc. Natl. Acad. retreat of Pine Island, Thwaites, Smith, and siderable threat due to mechani- Sci., 112(46), 14191–14196, doi:10.1073/ Kohler glaciers, West Antarctica, from 1992 cal damage and the absorption of pnas.1512482112. to 2011’, Geophys. Res. Lett., 41(10), 3502– Frieler, K., M. Meinshausen, A. Gol- 3509, doi:10.1002/2014GL060140. toxic chemicals through contami- ly, M. Mengel, K. Lebek, S. D. Donner, Robinson, A., R. Calov, and A. Gano- nants in plastic debris. and O. Hoegh-Guldberg (2012), ‘Limit- polski (2012), ‘Multistability and critical The world we live in is pre- ing global warming to 2 °C is unlikely to thresholds of the Greenland ice sheet’, Nat. save most coral reefs’, Nat. Clim. Chang., Clim. Chang., 2(6), 429–432, doi:10.1038/ cious and diverse and offers great 2(9), 1–6, doi:10.1038/nclimate1674. nclimate1449. freedom. However, there are nat- Ganopolski, A., R. Winkelmann, and Rockström, J. et al. (2009), ‘A safe ural boundaries within which we H. J. Schellnhuber (2016), ‘Critical inso- operating space for humanity’, Nature, lation–CO2 relation for diagnosing past and 461(7263), 472–475, doi:10.1038/461472a. should act while allowing equity future glacial inception’, Nature, 529(7585), Rosenzweig, C. et al. (2014), ‘Assess- between people and the environ- 200–203, doi:10.1038/nature16494. ing agricultural risks of climate change in ment today and between genera- German Advisory Council on Global the 21st century in a global gridded crop Change (WBGU) (2016), Humanity on the model intercomparison’, Proc. Natl. Acad. tions. This is the so-called ‘safe Move: Unlocking the transformative power Sci., 111(9), 3268–3273, doi:10.1073/ operating space’ of humanity of cities. pnas.1222463110.

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Fig. 1 Human CO2 emissions accumulated between 1751 and 2013. Data from CDIAC 2016 [Andres et al., 2016], bathymetry by NASA. Schellnhuber, H. J. (2009), ‘Tip- ping elements in the Earth System’, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 106(49), 20561–20563, doi:10.1073/pnas.0911106106. Schellnhuber, H. J., S. Rahmstorf, and R. Winkelmann (2016), ‘Why the right climate target was agreed in Paris’, Nat. Clim. Chang., 6(7), 649–653, doi:10.1038/ nclimate3013. United Nations - Department of Econom- ic and Social Affairs - Population Division (2015), World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision, Key Findings and Advance Tables. World Bank (2012), Turn down the heat : Why a 4°C warmer world must be avoided, Washington DC. World Meteorological Organization (2015), ‘2015 is hottest year on record’, Press Release. Available from: https://www. wmo.int/media/content/2015-hottest-year- record

Fig. 2 Global mean temperature curves, reconstructed for the Holocene (A) and based on observations over recent decades (B). Left: RegEM version of global temperature recon- struction from proxy data of Marcott et al. [2013] (blue line) and instrumental HadCRU data (red line). Visualisation by Klaus Bittermann. Right: data from GISS Surface Temperature Analysis (GISTEMP).

Fig. 3 Chart of tipping elements as in Schellnhuber et al. [2016]. The blue line at the bottom indicates the historical temperature curve and the coloured lines starting in year 2006 represent possible temperature developments under different IPCC scenarios (the red RCP8.5 line corresponds to the business-as-usual scenario). The yellowish bars indicate the probability for a specific tipping element to become unstable and switch into a new state. The shown tipping elements are (from left to right): West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), Greenland Ice Sheet, Arctic summer sea-ice extent, Alpine glaciers, Coral reefs, Amazon rain forest, Boreal forest, Ther- mohaline Ocean Circulation (THC), Sahel zone, El Niño-Southern Oscillation Index (ENSO), East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS), Permafrost and Arctic winter sea-ice.

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Pollution by Information or Technology

Msgr. Dario At times, in order to rid ourselves a. Pollution by Technology Edoardo Viganò of all personal and collective re- Prefect of the Secretariat sponsibility, we present techno- The general problem for Communication, logical progress and development of electromagnetism the Holy See in communications as realities that in relation to life are always, and everywhere, of a positive character, without taking ‘We have so radically modi- he encyclical Laudato Si’ of into account different cultural con- fied our environment that we TPope Francis called the atten- texts, structural limitations con- must now modify ourselves in tion of society to the urgent need nected with geopolitics, and the order to survive in the new envi- to think anew about the steward- risks and problems that can arise ronment’. This acute observation ship of the creation and about the in an economy that has become in- of the American scientist Nor- negative effects that come from a creasingly globalised. Thus, both bert Wiener makes us aware that bad use of resources, from pollu- technological progress and devel- over the last twenty years an un- tion, and from environmental de- opment in communications mani- precedented increase has taken terioration, which have an impact fest a growth that is out of control; place in the number and types above all on the weakest strata of that has limited planning, frail ref- of electromagnetic fields that are the population. erence points and outlooks; and is present in the environment. Cell The Pope offers a concept directed towards goals that are not phones and telecommunications of ecology ‘which respects our always transparent. In privileging, equipment in general, radio, tel- unique place as human beings in therefore, the potentialities and the evision, electrical appliances for this world and our relationship to benefits of technological progress the home, computers and lap- our surroundings’ (LS, n. 15), of- and development in communica- tops, industrial machinery, radar, fering us a paradigm that is able tions without taking into account biomedical equipment, and much to organise the fundamental rela- short-term, medium-term and else besides, have come to be a tionships of a person with God, long-term consequences, one runs part of our lives; indeed they have with himself or herself, with other the risk of going down treacherous become indispensable, at times human beings, and with the crea- roads, neglecting the fact that the simplifying and at times making tion. ‘common home’ hosts us today but more complex social dynamics From this point of view, all of should also welcome our children and our way of living. us who live on this earth have a tomorrow. A belief appears to have Quite beyond an anthropologi- grave responsibility towards the come back in vogue that was typical judgement on the goodness ‘common home’, where nobody cal of the era of the industrial rev- and the risks of this phenome- can think of obtaining positive re- olution when progress was seen as non, its impact, its dizzy growth sults by acting on their own and something to be increased whatev- and the profound change that it not taking into account that so- er the case because it was positive has set in motion cannot be de- lutions should be looked for and and a source of wellbeing for hu- nied given that contemporary so- applied in dialogue and in coop- manity. History, however, narrates ciety would be paralysed without eration with other people. Indeed, to us the outcome of this way of an electronic-technological appa- ‘interdependence obliges us to thinking… ratus that ranges from entertain- think of one world with a com- Technology and communica- ment to communications and on mon plan’ and to propose solutions, therefore, have tended to as far as medicine, with the use tions ‘from a global perspective, develop with some failings as re- of increasingly sophisticated ma- and not simply to defend the in- gards interconnections with the chinery for diagnostic and thera- terests of a few countries’ (LS, n. whole of the creation and with the peutic purposes. 164), with the need for effective integrity of the human person, his In parallel with their rapid deforms and instruments of global or her life, his or her relationships, velopment, all of these forms of governance (LS, n. 175). his or her privacy, his or her time, technology have generated new To give an example of this, let and his or her silence. As a conse- concerns. Increasingly often ref- us refer to the concepts of ‘pro- quence, pollution by technology erence is made to the existence gress’ and ‘development’. What do and pollution by communications of possible risks associated with they mean? How are they applied? are acquiring an increasing rel- electromagnetic fields emitted by What are the criteria that should evance in our cultural and social the machinery itself and above guide them? They can be applied contexts because of the so-termed all by the sources correlated with indiscriminately to the person- ‘omnipresence of technology’ and them (for example the antenna of al, social, political and economic the ‘storm of information flows’, transmitters for radio and televi- spheres, but they have very differ- with their inevitable consequenc- sion, basic radio stations for cell ent meanings and understandings. es for the human person, systems, WiFi access points, ra-

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dio bridges, etc.) which emit elec- fects of nuclear energy use. The b. Pollution by tromagnetic waves of various fre- culture of consumerism, which Communications quencies and intensities. In recent prioritizes short-term gain and pri- years, in addition, there has been a vate interest, can make it easy to This is a phenomenon to which steady increase in sensitisation to, rubber-stamp authorizations or to we are all exposed and which and concern about, the possibility conceal information’ (LS, n. 184). places us in a condition of being that exposure to electromagnetic As regards the electro-medical submerged, literally, by an uncon- fields can have negative effects equipment that makes use of X trolled flow of information of a on health, and this has provoked rays, an ascertained danger exists public/journalistic and personal/ a notable resonance at political, and thus a series of rigorous rules social nature. Here, while feeling economic and scientific levels. have been implemented regard- that we are in the midst of a me- As regards the potential dan- ing its correct and safe use, both dia storm, I would like to quote gerousness of these systems, for medical, nursing and technical a text that offers another per- which because of their intrinsic personnel and for patients. Rules spective that is surprising when nature employ active emitting ap- that are at times very severe exist we consider what is commonly paratuses, today the debate is a for all those forms of equipment thought about the mass media: very heated one. One may think that use low frequency or radi- ‘It is not possible to establish to- of the controversies about the lo- ofrequency static fields (for ex- day in a clear way what ‘medial’ cation in urban environments of ample magnetic resonance, high is and what it is not; nor can we basic radio stations of the GSM/ frequency electric scalpels, appa- define when we enter a medial sit- UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA systems ratuses for diathermy, defibrilla- uation and when we leave it: we or about the use of WiFi systems tors, etc.). are, rather, immersed in systems in indoor environments. We may The range of frequency of all and environments of relationships refer to the discussions about the these systems that have been cit- and exchanges, ready to use the location, once again in urban con- ed are very diverse. Today, dif- different resources that such en- texts, of radio and TV antennas, ferently from ‘ionising radiation’, vironments make available to us or of communications systems in reliable proof does not exist about for the goals that are proposed military contexts that are located the dangerousness of systems that to us or which we ourselves pro- in barracks. For years they have can be placed on the electromag- pose, and to take on roles and po- been sources of diatribes because netic spectrum of so-termed ‘non- sitions that correspond to what of their presumed dangerousness, ionising radiation’. In the same is involved in the use of such re- as have plants for the production way, however, there is no cer- sources. The media are every- of electric energy and electrod- tainty that they are not danger- where. We ourselves are media. ucts, even though the subject is ous. Scientific research is going And it is for this reason that the a less sensitive one compared to through a period of intense activ- media no longer exist’.1 Against those that have been mentioned ity and strong interest as regards this background, enriched by an above. this subject, above all in relation unprecedented suggestion and Pope Francis points out to us, in to the spectrum of radiofrequency one which from certain points of an unequivocal way, the road that and microwaves (principally the view is singular, we can continue should be taken as regards the at- presence of systems of commu- our analysis, bearing in mind that tention and respect that should nications on the UHF 300MHz- we are not dealing with external be paid to people and to the en- 3GHz band). objects and situations, observa- vironment in which they live: There exists, therefore, a limit- ble as being something other than ‘In the face of possible risks to ed certainty about their cancer-in- ourselves, but, rather, of realities the environment which may af- ducing effects and the emergence that are interwoven with our daily fect the common good now and of other pathologies for human experiences. in the future, decisions must be beings. Thus, on the one hand, We may refer to the television, made “based on a comparison of there is a request for increasingly the radio, the Web etc., which fol- the risks and benefits foreseen for in-depth studies in order to ascer- low lives and events ‘live and on- the various possible alternatives’. tain the objective dangerousness line’, moving from a cell phone to This is especially the case when a of this large amount of technolo- SMS, which are unforgiving and project may lead to a greater use gy for human life, and, on the oth- place us in the condition of be- of natural resources, higher lev- er, we have witnessed a markedly ing reachable everywhere. And els of emission or discharge, an growing use of the same technol- then there are the social networks, increase of refuse, or significant ogy. If pollution by technology Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook, changes to the landscape, the hab- (and especially electromagnet- Skype, Instagram, etc., which itats of protected species or public ic technology) has emerged as a make available to everyone and spaces. Some projects, if insuffi- risk, it does not seem, however, everywhere not only information ciently studied, can profoundly af- to have generated suitable aware- but also a person and his or her fect the quality of life of an area ness about the need to move to- own private life. We are invaded due to very different factors such wards regulating its development at every moment by an exorbitant as unforeseen noise pollution, the at the level of companies and eco- quantity of information which, on shrinking of visual horizons, the nomics and at a personal and so- the one hand, cannot be followed loss of cultural values, or the ef- cial level. and filtered, and, on the other, in-

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terrupts every situation and ac- nologue) where the other is forced velopment of new convictions, at- tivity with a signal that messages to have the role of being the mere titudes and forms of life. A great have arrived. On this particularly receiver of our information. Dia- cultural, spiritual and educational delicate and sensitive subject, as logue and encounter are thus re- challenge stands before us, and it well, Pope Francis offers us no duced to a succession of monolo- will demand that we set out on the doubts: ‘Furthermore, when me- gues between people who do not long path of renewal’ (LS, n. 202). dia and the digital world become listen to each other, who do not To achieve this goal we should omnipresent, their influence can assess what the other person has have a good knowledge of the stop people from learning how to to say, and who even ignore each fundamental dynamisms of the di- live wisely, to think deeply and to other. On this point Primo Levi alogue proposed by Pope France, love generously. In this context, wrote: ‘Each age has its fascism: given that they are useful not only the great sages of the past run the its premonitory signs are noted for the debates on environmental risk of going unheard amid the wherever the concentration of po- subjects but also for every kind of noise and distractions of an in- wer denies the citizen the possi- complex problem and subject. We formation overload. Efforts need bility and the capacity to express need to engage in the practice of to be made to help these media and actuate his or her will. This loyal and intellectually honest di- become sources of new cultural is reached in many ways, not ne- alogue, which today is proposed progress for humanity and not a cessarily with the fear of police as an inescapable methodology threat to our deepest riches. True intimidation but also by denying for the survival of humanity. This wisdom, as the fruit of self-exam- or reforming information, pollu- is a practice to be refined above ination, dialogue and generous ting justice, paralysing schools, all else with those people who do encounter between persons, is not spreading in many subtle ways not think as we do, to be perfected acquired by a mere accumulation nostalgia for a world where order with the good will of identifying of data which eventually leads to reigned supreme and where the the ‘polluting’ factors of the pro- overload and confusion, a sort of security of the privileged few was cess of communication. mental pollution. Real relation- based upon the forced labour and The encycical Laudato si’ pro- ships with others, with all the forced silence of many’.2 poses dialogue as the first step challenges they entail, now tend Moved by this warning as of ‘lines of approach an action’ to be replaced by a type of inter- well, let us try to identify some (chapter V), that is to say as an net communication which enables elements that corrupt social dia- approach to be actuated and ap- us to choose or eliminate relation- logue in order to be prepared to plied together with other people ships at whim, thus giving rise to address the challenges of the pre- and to be pursued in decision- a new type of contrived emotion sent moment. Below I present a making processes in companies which has more to do with devices list of forms or situations which and organisations, in the Civil and displays than with other peo- emit noise, obstruct the arrival of Service, in universities, and in ple and with nature. Today’s me- a clear and transparent message, civil society. We have to foster dia do enable us to communicate and deform its contents or impede the development of correct and and to share our knowledge and its understanding: transparent decision-making pro- affections. Yet at times they also – Bombardment with discon- cesses in order to be able to ‘dis- shield us from direct contact with nected and heterogeneous mes- cern’ which business policies and the pain, the fears and the joys of sages (noise). initiatives can lead to ‘genuine in- others and the complexity of their – Disorder in interventions tegral development’ (LS, n. 185). personal experiences. For this (chaos). We should also promote dialogue reason, we should be concerned – The addition of not pertinent between the sciences in order to that, alongside the exciting possi- or banal information (frivolity). avoid the isolation of disciplines: bilities offered by these media, a – Lies, half-truths, tendentious between economics and politics deep and melancholic dissatisfac- or partial information (deception). in order to grow in joint respon- tion with interpersonal relations, – Pseudo-science. sibility; between the sciences and or a harmful sense of isolation, – The discrediting and insulting religions; and also between the can also arise’ (LS, n. 47). of interlocutors. believers of the various religions. Thus pollution by communica- – The exclusion of some of the Religions are called to develop tion can take place in every kind directly involved participants. ‘dialogue among themselves for of human relationship, both in a the sake of protecting nature, de- direct personal relationship and Thus Pope Francis always in- fending the poor, and building in one that is channelled through vites us to engage in listening, to networks of respect and fraterni- analogic or digital means. Nega- place ourselves in the outlook of ty (LS, n. 201). ‘An open and re- tive tendencies in communication the other, to move out of our nar- spectful dialogue is also needed have their origins in the limita- row and reassuring point of view between the various ecological tions of people but also in fear of and shift towards that of other movements’ (LS, n. 201). truth, in partisan interests, in selfi- people. Purifying dialogue, un- The way of dialogue requires shness and in avidity, in the thirst derstood as an encounter of per- patience, ascesis and generos- for power and domination, or in sons, and practising it as a method ity, remembering that ‘realities the deceitful attempt to establish or the construction of society, is a are greater than ideas’,3 as we a dialogue (in reality this is a mo- key by which to achieve ‘the de- are reminded by Pope Francis as

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he proposes to us the privileged and about the possibilities. It is tion and division between indi- methods for any dialogue that has wise not to confine oneself to viduals and groups. The digital to address complex problems in the initial decision about a pro- world is a public square, a meet- society (cf. LS, n. 183): gramme: constant follow-up ac- ing-place where we can either en- 1. The subject should ‘be car- tivity and monitoring should also courage or demean one another, ried out in a way which is inter- be envisaged. engage in a meaningful discus- disciplinary, transparent and free 7. There is a need for sinceri- sion or unfair attacks. I pray that of all economic or political pres- ty and truth in scientific and po- this Jubilee Year, lived in mercy, sure’. litical discussion and these should “may open us to even more fer- 2. It must be connected with the not be limited to seeing what is al- vent dialogue so that we might analysis of relevant data about lowed or not allowed by law. know and understand one another the impact and effects on the pop- better; and that it may eliminate ulation. With the return of the human every form of closed-mindedness 3. One must take into ac- person to his or her dignity, to his and disrespect, and drive out eve- count the possible scenarios and or her singularity, and to his or her ry form of violence and discrimi- where possible anticipate, per- truth, one can overcome ‘pollution nation”. The internet can help us haps through preceding action, by communication’ because in the to be better citizens. Access to the need to deal with unwanted valuing of the person one finds digital networks entails a respon- effects. the balance between ‘how much’, sibility for our neighbour whom 4. It is always necessary to ac- ‘when’ and ‘where’ information is we do not see but who is nonethe- quire the consensus of the various useful and constructs man and so- less real and has a dignity which stakeholders who can bring dif- ciety. Indeed, as Pope Francis re- must be respected. The internet ferent options, perspectives and minds us: ‘Emails, text messages, can be used wisely to build a so- solutions. social networks and chats can al- ciety which is healthy and open to 5. In the debate, it is important so be fully human forms of com- sharing (Message for the Fiftieth to assign a privileged place to munication. It is not technology World Communications Day). those people and groups that may which determines whether or not experience the direct consequenc- communication is authentic, but Notes es of the action that one wants to rather the human heart and our ca- take. pacity to use wisely the means at 1 R. Eugeni, La condizione postmediale 6. Participation requires that our disposal. Social networks can (Brescia, 2015), p. 28. 2 ‘Un passato che credevamo non dovesse everyone is adequately informed facilitate relationships and pro- tornare più’, in Corriere della Sera, 8 May about the various aspects of the mote the good of society, but they 1974. project, about the potential risks, can also lead to further polariza- 3 Evangelii gaudium, n. 231.

Biological Innovation Starting with Research: Animal Experimentation and Genetically Modified Organisms

Dr. Romano Marabelli Pope Francis’ encyclical Laud- I intend to dwell later, it seems to General Secretary, ato Si’, which was issued in the me to be important to emphasise the Ministry of Health, spring of 2015, outlines a path- certain passages that most help us Italy way which in my view allows a in approaching the problems and deep analysis and points in a clear possible solutions involved, re- way to a strategy that can con- membering, here, that simple so- his is certainly a special mo- tribute to accompanying a change lutions cannot be applied to com- Tment for thinking about sci- which is by now ineluctable. plex problems. entific and technological progress In addition to the specific chap- First of all I wish to quote the which has had undoubted suc- ter that the encyclical dedicates appeal of Pope Francis: ‘The ur- cesses but which still involves to ‘biological innovation starting gent challenge to protect our com- challenges as we look into an un- with research’ specifically in the mon home includes a concern certain future. centre of the papal text on which to bring the whole human fam-

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ily together to seek a sustainable have no foundation, and which are ethical relationship between man and integral development, for we even seen as more credible and and animals. know that things can change’. selfless, although produced by in- The concept of ‘one health’ Here there is an important need dividuals or groups that are igno- which has been developed by for sincere and honest debates just rant when it comes to the complex three international organisations, as it is equally evident that after and delicate subjects that are un- the World Health Organisation, a period of irrational trust in pro- der discussion. the World Organisation for Ani- gress and human capacities a part All of this involves a need for mal Health and the Food and Ag- of society is entering a stage of an unbiased analysis about the riculture Organisation of the Unit- greater awareness. possibility of using differentiated ed Nations, could be the point of One can perceive an increased models of development for vast departure for the adoption of in- sensitivity to the environment and areas of the planet and for specific novative measures, of an unpopu- to caring for nature, and a sin- groups of populations. To subject lar character as well, for the cur- cere and pained concern about the whole of the globe to a single rent system of production. what is happening to our plan- approach – from the point of view I would like to observe that the et has developed. Here there is a of innovation as well – means to majority of companies, and that need to invest much more in re- penalise vast territories and popu- includes Italian companies, which search given the continuation, or lations. It means to kill develop- today boast of their quality and even the worsening, of unfair- ment which is anyway sustainable safety in terms of food products, ness at a planetary level. We are solely because of goals that are making them an important vehi- in the presence of a globalisation the outcome of the assessments cle for their penetration of inter- of trade and information, which is and interests, often of a contin- national markets, were strongly of a culturally advanced kind as gent kind, of a part of the globe against the HACCP control sys- well (as is the case with the scien- that has used, at times in an irre- tem based on a scientific method tific community), but incontesta- sponsible way as well, technolo- of research into critical points. ble diversities continue as regards gies which, whatever the case, Similarly, we should now re- access to knowledge, to food and have allowed these populations to flect on ethical quality and the re- to essential services, for example achieve a prosperity and a level of lationship between man and ani- health-care services. security that were never obtained mals in primary production such ‘The problem is that we still by vast swathes of humanity in as stock raising. If the model that lack the culture needed to con- the past. has been used hitherto has as- front this crisis. We lack leader- It would therefore be advisable, sured an availability of food that ship capable of striking out on first of all, to revise our model of is practically unlimited and at a new paths’. development of advanced coun- low cost for the populations of the ‘There are too many special in- tries so as to be able to offer vir- so-termed Western countries, we terests’. tuous journeys that still require a have to ask ourselves whether to- ‘At the same time we can note complex pathway in order to as- day the moment has not come for the rise of a false or superficial sure health, food and security to a profound thinking anew about ecology which bolsters compla- everyone. this subject. cency and a cheerful reckless- For example, in the 1980s and Prohibiting the production of ness’. 1990s Europe drew up, adopted genetically modified vegetables On the one hand, some people and applied models for the food but using such vegetables from support the myth of progress at security of its own citizens that other continents as foodstuffs any cost and affirm that ecologi- were very advanced given the for intensive stock raising means cal problems will be solved sim- dominant culture of that epoch, in the best of cases economical- ply through new technological even in developed countries. Ap- ly exploiting their own purport- applications without ethical con- plying them to itself and demon- ed cultural supremacy. But it al- siderations; on the other hand, strating the success of its own sci- so means, in the worst of cases, there are those people who argue entific insights and assessments, blindly exploiting the resources that man, through any interven- it improved the level of prosper- of other populations to the detri- tion of his, can constitute a threat ity and achieved objective goals ment of a more balanced distribu- and compromise the world’s eco- in the quality and length of life. tion of the goods of the planet. system, as a result of which it is Starting in the first decade of It should, however, be ob- advisable to prevent him from en- this century, this model became served, as Pope Francis has writ- gaging in any kind of interven- a global point of reference for the ten, that ‘Our capacity to reason, tion. Between these two extremes reorganisation of the legislation to develop arguments, to be in- an analysis should identify possi- and the operational systems both ventive, to interpret reality and to ble future scenarios because there of very advanced countries and of create art, along with other not yet is no one solution. countries that have been power- discovered capacities, are signs of In this context, the scientific fully emerging on the internation- a uniqueness which transcends community has lost much of its al scene. the spheres of physics and biol- authoritativeness and often its re- This would be the moment to ogy’. sults are placed on the same level engage in the same journey in the ‘Yet it would also be mistak- as opinions that are subjective and field of animal products and the en to view other living beings as

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mere objects subjected to arbi- ic technology is able to produce contrary to human dignity to trary human domination’. things that are truly valuable. cause animals to suffer or die ‘When nature is viewed solely ‘The modification of nature for needlessly’. as a source of profit and gain, this useful purposes has distinguished Italian legislation has been es- has serious consequences for so- the human family from the begin- pecially attentive in this field. The ciety’. ning; technology itself “expresses D. Lgs. 26/2014 of 4 March 2014, In this area the following mes- the inner tension that impels man n. 6 ‘The Implementation of di- sage is of determining impor- gradually to overcome material rective 2010/63/EU on the Pro- tance: ‘Here we can add yet an- limitations”’. tection of Animals Used for Sci- other argument for rejecting However we cannot ignore that entific Purposes’, established the every tyrannical and irresponsi- these advances, nuclear energy, principles and the good practices ble domination of human beings biotechnologies, information and that should be used in pre-clinical over other creatures’. ‘Each crea- communication technology, and studies where studies on animal ture has its own purpose. None is knowledge about our own DNA, models are envisaged. superfluous’. ‘No creature is self- all offer us tremendous power and The ethics of animal wellbeing sufficient’. lead us to the idea of an infinite lay down that for anybody who us- But when we affirm this we do and unlimited growth. es laboratory animals, the primary not forget that there is also an in- This assumes a lie about the interest, which absolutely cannot finite distance between man and infinite availability of the goods be departed from, must be first the animals. We do not acknowledge of the planet which leads us to animal and then the experiment, their proper and authentic place ‘squeeze it dry’, as the Supreme and as regards the use of laborato- and we end up by unduly requir- Pontiff writes, to its limits and be- ry animals reference must be made ing from animals what by their yond its limits. to the famous 3 R established by very nature they cannot give us. This is a false assumption. One Russel and Burch in their work of All of this does not mean plac- has to recognise that the products 1959 The Principles of Humane ing all living beings on the same of technology are not neutral. The Experimental Technique, later en- level and removing from man that specialisation specific to technol- riched by two new Rs: special value that involves, at the ogy implies a notable difficulty in 1R Refinement: improvement same time, a tremendous respon- achieving a view of the whole. of the experimental conditions. sibility. What is happening places us in 2R Reduction: reduction of the Such an approach would end up front of an urgent need to proceed number of animals to be used but by creating new imbalances in an with a courageous cultural revo- also the reduction of pain. In the attempt to flee from a reality that lution. past the question was whether an- calls on us. In modernity a predominance imals suffered whereas now the At times one perceives an ob- of the anthropocentric approach question is how much animals session to deny that the human has been established in an exces- suffer and whether one can reduce person has any kind of pre-emi- sive way. and eliminate their pain. nence and a struggle for other spe- ‘This situation has led to a con- 3R Replacement: where this is cies is carried on with an empha- stant schizophrenia, wherein a possible, replacement with alter- sis that is not used to defend the technocracy which sees no intrin- native ‘in vitro’ techniques. equal dignity of human beings. sic value in lesser beings coex- 4R Responsibility: identifying Certainly it must concern us ists with the other extreme, which a person who will have responsi- that other living beings are treat- sees no special value in human bility for the procedures (an ap- ed in an irresponsible way but we beings’. pointed veterinary surgeon). should be indignant above all else This involves the risk of a wan- 5R Rehabilitation (Rehoming): about the enormous inequalities ing of ‘our overall sense of re- the rehabilitation and reintegra- that exist amongst us and about sponsibility’. tion of animals which means that the fact that we continue to tol- We cannot require from human their elimination is not necessary. erate some people seeing them- beings a commitment to the world All of this has the aim of find- selves as more worthy than others. if we do not recognise and value ing a balance between the rights We no longer realise that some at the same time their unique ca- and the needs of animals and the people crawl along in a degrading pacities for knowledge, will and needs of research and producing misery without any real possibili- responsibility. good science. ties of improvement, whereas oth- ‘A misguided anthropocentrism With respect to biotechnolo- er people do not even know what leads to a misguided lifestyle’. gies, the encyclical Laudato Si’ to do with what they possess. ‘While human intervention on takes up the balanced position of ‘Every act of cruelty towards plants and animals is permissible St. John Paul II who emphasised any creature is “contrary to hu- when it pertains to the necessities the benefits of scientific and tech- man dignity”’. of human life…experimentation nological progress but at the same With respect to technological on animals is morally acceptable time observed that ‘we cannot in- progress, two centuries of new in- only “if it remains within reasona- terfere in one area of the ecosys- sights and discoveries, in the field ble limits [and] contributes to car- tem without paying due attention of medicine as well, demonstrate ing for or saving human lives”’. to the consequences of such inter- that if it is well directed scientif- Here it is observed that ‘it is ference in other areas’. He also

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said that this should not give rise are a modern phenomenon. The We may observe the concen- to ‘indiscriminate genetic manip- domestication of animals, the tration of productive land in the ulation’. crossbreeding of species and oth- hands of the few, the progressive It is not possible to apply a er older and universally accepted disappearance of small produc- brake to human creativity and practices can be given as exam- ers, a decrease in the diversity of one cannot obstruct those who ples of this. production, and an expansion of possess special gifts for scien- Personally I would like to ob- oligopolies for the production of tific and technological develop- serve that traditional Mendelian seeds and other products neces- ment. At the same time one can- genetics when searching for cer- sary to the cultivation of such ce- not but reconsider the objectives, tain specific characteristics in reals – this being a dependency the effects, the context and the animal species instead produced that is aggravated if one considers limitations of such human activ- individuals that were strongly the production of sterile seeds. ity, which is a form of power and defective because characteristics ‘Certainly, these issues require brings with it great risks. were also produced which from constant attention and a concern It is within this framework that the point of view of nature had a for their ethical implications. A any analysis of human interven- penalising effect. broad, responsible scientific and tion upon the plant and animal It is advisable to remember that social debate needs to take place, world should be located. Such in- the beginning of scientific devel- one capable of considering all the tervention today involves genetic opments with transgenic cereals available information and of call- mutations produced by biotech- was the observation of bacteria ing things by their name’. nologies with have the aim of ex- that naturally and spontaneous- At times complete information ploiting the opportunities that are ly produced a modification in a is not made available, a selection present in material reality. plant’s genome. Another example is made on the basis of self-inter- Pope Francis writes that: ‘It is is the microbiota of the human in- est, whether of a political, eco- difficult to make a general judge- testine which in having 150 times nomic or ideological kind. ment about genetic modification more genes that man conserves This makes it difficult to reach (GM), whether vegetable or ani- information that man does not a balanced and prudent judge- mal, medical or agricultural, since possess, for example the produc- ment which takes into account all these vary greatly among them- tion of vitamin B and vitamin K. the pertinent variables. selves and call for specific con- However it is evident that in na- ‘This is a complex environmen- siderations’. ture these processes have a slow tal issue; it calls for a comprehen- On the other hand, the risks rhythm which cannot be com- sive approach which would re- should not always be attributed to pared to the speed imposed by quire, at the very least, greater technology itself but, rather, to an current technological advance, efforts to finance various lines of inadequate or excessive applica- even when such advance is based independent, interdisciplinary re- tion. I remember the example of upon centuries-old developments. search capable of shedding new the railway that ran through the Although we do not have defin- light on the problem’. United States of America from itive proof about the damage that On the other hand, the encyc- East to West and to which were transgenic cereals could cause to lical observes, it is worrying that attributed responsibilities not as human beings, and in some regions some movements defend the in- regards this means of transport their use has produced an econom- tegrity of the environment and but in terms of the use that was ic growth that has helped to solve rightly affirm the limitations that made of it by man during the col- certain problems (here I may point exist to scientific research where- onisation of the Far West. to the nutritional and health-care as at times they do not apply these In reality, genetic mutations aspects connected with the use of same principles to human life. have been, and are, produced so-called ‘golden rice’), signifi- ‘Technology severed from eth- many times by nature herself. cant difficulties are encountered ics will not easily be able to limit Not even those created by man which must not be minimised. its own power’.

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Towards a Responsible Political Approach to the Perception, Assessment and Methods of Reducing Stress Caused by Environmental Factors

Msgr. Tony Anatrella ability to speak well and to rea- to force them to believe in him, Psychoanalyst and specialist son properly, without violence then he carries within himself his in social psychiatry, and threats… To convince a rea- own negation because he is, solely lecturer at the Collège sonable soul, one does not need and above all else, an expression des Bernardins and the a strong arm, or weapons of any of the paranoid psychosis of those Free Faculty of Philosophy and kind, or any other means of threat- who want to be his propagandists. Psychology, ening a person with death… God In the name of their Almighty Paris, France; is not pleased by blood’. Ego and their narcissistic suffi- Consultor of the Pontifical Why do those who kill in the ciency, they become insensitive to Council for the Family and name of God manipulate the reli- all human empathy. This relative- of the Pontifical Council for gious experience in order to justi- ly autonomous process, which is Health Care Workers fy their violence? The answer lies linked to a system of religious ide- in the logic that was explained by as that is at the service of terror, is Benedict XVI: because the expe- spreading at an international level rience of faith has become disas- and violently attacks what remains sociated from reason. The dislo- of Western culture, which is very Introduction cation of one or the other runs the often betrayed by numerous politi- risk of provoking delirium. The cal decisions that have weakened It is within the context of the fa- very exercise of human reason the central loom of society. As a tal attacks that took place in Paris forms of a part of the exploration consequence, we witness the de- on Friday 13 November 2015 that of faith. Christ is a word given by velopment of various mental inse- I have to address here, before you, God that calls on reason and intel- curities which express this desta- the questions and issues relating to ligence to make divine truth more bilisation. contemporary stress. apparent. Here we are going beyond the Those criminal acts took place One does not kill in the name of stress that is the subject of this pa- when I had finished the prepara- God because in Christ and through per and we enter the fear and dis- tion of this paper of mine. How- his cross, God ended the complex may caused by crimes committed ever, when speaking about con- of Cain which is based upon jeal- against young people and adults temporary stress I cannot leave to ousy and rivalry in order to obtain who still had a many years to live one side this sinister drama which what the other possesses. This is and to enjoy their lives. Let us be in the space of a few hours placed a true original sin which involves careful, therefore, because a cli- us in another age: that of terror and denying the existence of the other mate of terror can be established crime in the name of an idea which in order to impose one’s own ex- which is expressed in a loss of betrays the meaning of God. We istence. This is anthropological trust, a sense of insecurity, and a are dealing here with behaviour madness. fear of being at the mercy of de- that is based upon the psychologi- But today’s world also wants to mented acts. Political leaders and cal archaism of pagan religions make itself extraneous to the re- society must ask themselves about which have done a very great deal ligious dimension of existence in this deleterious need to discredit of harm to man. This was remem- order to limit it to a question of the cultural origins of Western so- bered in a prophetic way by Ben- private belief in order to deny in cieties and draw away from their edict XVI in his speech in Re- a better way the right to religion roots. We must, therefore, free gensberg on the subject of ‘Faith, (its social and institutional dimen- ourselves from a feeling of guilt as Reason and the University’ (an sions), neglecting the fact that regards our identity which is, in- address given on 12 September reason realises the existence of deed, the authentic social pathol- 2006) which was nonetheless the faith. For this reason the Church, ogy of Western politics. subject of derision by some peo- strengthened by her experience of More in general we can move ple. During the course of his ad- rationality, often invites people to away from these crimes only by dress the Supreme Pontiff drew at- engage in dialogue and to embrace understanding that we have al- tention to the relationship between the reason of things. lowed this disaster and a slowing faith and violence. We were struck by the reality of down of the processes of civilisa- What did the Pope Emeritus mass crimes perpetrated in Paris tion, with a weakening of our cen- say? ‘Violence is incompatible by fanatics who wanted to impose tral loom, beginning with that of with the nature of God and the na- their ideas about God on us with schools which, at times, are lost in ture of the soul… Whoever would assault and kamikaze weapons. If imposed culture and manipulated lead someone to faith needs the this ‘god’ needs the blood of men pedagogy. These events force us to

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become better, to once again cen- physical and mental illnesses are contemporary upbringing forg- tre ourselves on the meaning and often linked to a social environ- es individuals who are not very the modalities of instruction, and ment which afflicts the individual structured and have blurred out- to know how to resist spiritually, and which excessively stimulates lines. These are defined as ‘liquid drawing inspiration from the word both individuals and populations, personalities’ and at times they are of God. that is to say they are traumatised uncertain personalities because Following the terrible events and made insecure. of a lack of cultural roots. They that cruelly afflicted France and That form of social psychiatry are invited to express the first struck the whole world, we must which studies these facts under- thoughts and attractions that come emphasise the dignity with which stood some time ago the impor- to the fore rather than to elaborate the French knew how to face up tance of the conditioning effects of them. to this tragedy. Most of their tes- the social environment on the bal- I say all this to observe that timonies expressed solidarity and ance of the mental lives of individ- the source of stress is often with- a refusal to allow themselves to be uals. The appearance of new forms in people. An individual can be carried away by hatred, by anger of social organisation, of forms afraid of what happens within him and by vendetta. They chose peace of communication on internet, of or her. In order to describe this and encouraged others to stand new rhythms of work productivity, state, some authors have spoken upright, with a living memory of of the deregulation of a large num- about ‘impulse traumatism’ (Blos, the victims, in order to go on liv- ber of norms, that is to say the lack Kestemberg) which crystallises ing in open hope, affirming at the of credibility of civil law which is around obsession about a fear of same time that life is stronger than constantly modified and at times expressing one’s own desires. The death, even though life will con- in an unfair way, or in some cas- individual is afraid of being over- tinue to take place in with difficul- es the fact that justice is increas- whelmed and of not having the ties and with a certain stress. But ingly a matter of the opinion of a resources to face up to the pres- we know that life is stronger than judge (‘the justice of opinion’ in sure of his or her impulses. The death, that love is stronger than particular in matters relating to in- individual is stressed when he or hatred, and that hope is stronger heritance and family questions) in she feels attacked from within by than defeatism, in the light of the taking into account applicable law, the excitement of his or her own Resurrection of Christ. are all phenomena that often leave impulses: a nocturnal dream can Let us now come to the prob- people without a reliable system trouble him or her for the whole lems raised by environmental of regulation. It is as though each day in the same way as he or her stress in order to address the sub- individual thought that he or she runs the risk of being troubled by ject which I have been asked to an- had to regulate the social system painful events. An accident, an ag- alyse here. himself or herself and saw social gression or a strong professional, Stress has become the character- inefficiencies as a personal fail- family or sentimental opposition, istic of the personality of the men ure. In other terms, in destroying can provoke a mental shock (trau- of today. Numerous people suf- the central fabric, society creates ma). In the same way, the pressure fer from it; we should not be sur- objective conditions for the devel- of impulses of a sexual, relational prised by this given that we know opment of various disorders of hu- or imaginary nature can trouble or about everything that they have to man ecology, as Pope Francis em- destabilise an individual. In any of do during the day. Excessive work phasises in his encyclical Laudato these cases, the trauma maintains which is at times accompanied by si’ (which was published in June the same structure: a flow of ex- a lack of money, to which is add- 2015). citement and the urgent work of ed the concerns of married, family the mental apparatus in order to and personal life, and short-term connect and prepare the elabora- relationships which do nothing 1. Capacity and Frailty in the tion of all these stimuli into higher else but accentuate their malaise. Presence of Stress functions. Otherwise, the risk that They try to reduce tension through is run is that of witnessing emo- rest, recreation, sport, relaxation Resistance to stress is connect- tional shocks in reality in the form and time spent with their families ed with the personal capacities of of ‘acting out’. The whole of the and their friends. When these ac- each individual and above all with problem lies in an examination of tivities are not enough, stress is an ability to deal in one’s mental the ways that people have of reg- also treated through the prescrip- life with the various stimulations ulating and offloading things, in tion of certain medical products of that come from the life of impuls- particular when they are young. a psychotropic character, whereas es and the mental representations It is during this part of his or her other people use drugs or alcohol that derive from that life. But this history that an individual learns to calm this kind of anxiety. life of impulses is at times so dis- to regulate his or her own inter- The origins of stress are to be turbing that some people crush it nal tensions (stress) or, in opposite found in many factors. They are by increasing actions that are of fashion, to crush them through re- related both to personal (genet- no use or, in opposite fashion, in lational processes. Repetitive com- ic, neuro-physiological and psy- being afraid of their desires and pulsions can be used in an attempt chological) factors and to social thus inhibiting them, they affirm to keep the contents of the trauma conditions and influences. Thus that they do not know what to de- under control, without actually be- professional illnesses, social in- sire. In the contemporary context, ing able to do this: through drugs stability, and the multiplication of personalities are more fragile and and alcohol to the point of an eth-

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ylic coma; attributing to other already nervous on the previous es would have facilitated relation- people one’s own feelings; drag- Sunday afternoon. ships and the exchange of infor- ging other people into what the In liberalism, the purely mana- mation, but the opposite occurred. individual himself or herself feels gerial vision of work creates a del- One must reconsider the architec- without being able to control this; eterious environment in a compa- ture of offices in line with the hu- making other people live what he ny and in individual psychologies. man scale and not as the halls of or she has himself or herself expe- The change that has taken place in a station. People also complain rienced (sexual curiosity, shocks, what these functions are called ter- about individualised assessment oral maltreatment, sexual attacks); minologically within a company is taking place every year in terms and looking at pornography sites particularly significant. In some of results obtained and argue that which lead to sexual practices that countries, where reference was this serves little purpose; about the do not allow an elaboration of the made to the ‘boss’ or ‘staff direc- burdensome character of meetings life of impulses tor’, now the title ‘director of hu- which are often ineffective; about As regards the identity crises man resources’ is used. The mem- disputes and conflicts between of young people between the age bers of the staff of a company have people, especially between wom- of twenty and thirty, (crises un- thus become one of the resources en; about people who do not know derstood as a mutation), the work connected with productivity and how to keep to their own roles; involving the integration of ex- the purpose of the company itself. about the problem of information citement through impulses is ex- They are principally seen as num- that is not communicated; about perienced as a reaction to an inter- bers and ‘Excel tables’. This shift the absence of conciliation and co- nal danger. The individual acts to in language and categories indi- operation; about a lack of trust in neutralise this threat through be- cates that the human part of a com- authority; about the multiplication haviour that he or she adjudges to pany is no longer seen as such but, of different kinds of suffering and be necessary and satisfying in an rather, it is viewed as one of the defence strategies; about personal interaction between the ego and material elements that are availa- lives that are overly exposed when the external world. ble according to the needs of the people feel that they are obliged This work arises from a positive moment. This is an orientation that to talk about their personal and at dynamic because the individual does not take into account the re- times intimate lives at the work- continuously negotiates what relationship with time, the ability of place; about moral and sexual se- mains of his or her primitive de- each person to have to function duction and harassment; about the mands in order to compare them ‘just in time’, and the obligation role of so-called ‘narcissistic per- with reality and the environment to be immediate because of the in- verse’ personalities who poison re- (cf. partial impulses). The post- crease in daily e-mails which have lationships, this being all the more adolescent can thus clarify and to be dealt with instantly. A person the case when such people hold refine his or her affective choices only has to be absent for one day power. and find ways of life that are rec- for him or her to have to deal, ac- Their behaviour often is not ognised as belonging to him or cording to his or her position, with understood by most people who her. His or her personality is thus a notable number of messages. do not realise that they are being more able to inscribe itself into a Human psychology has to be as manipulated by the charm of the historical perspective, advancing rapid as a computer because this member of a team or by those who its elaboration. The individual in machine has become a new yard- exercise authority. They say one this way finds the instruments by stick whereas at one time this fol- thing and also the opposite. They which to stabilise himself or her- lowed the rhythm of the seasons, want to be near everybody while self within a life narrative. The re- of the day and of the night. We they take advantage of them to turn to primary impulses is often have moved from long and se- neutralise those who disturb what a source of anxiety, of ‘being de- quenced time to shorter and more they are doing. They employ gen- pressed’, and of a loss of internal immediate time. erous words about the meaning of unity. Recriminations regarding the the individual but at the same time workplace are many in number. devalue the meaning of the law For example, reference is only with the pretext that understand- 2. The Social Origins of Stress made to the polyvalence of tasks ing the other is better than judicial and not to their objectives and reaction. They exhort people to take Suffering at the workplace is sults. In addition, work in open on their responsibilities and at the without doubt one of the first ob- spaces is arduous because concen- same time make those who work servations that professionals of tration is more difficult for peo- with them lose credibility in pub- mental health make in their clin- ple than is the case with separate lic. They use binary language and ical practice. Often at the root of offices. A constant movement of appreciate asocial forms of behav- an increase in mental pathologies people has to be endured, as well iour with the pretext that they are we encounter the obligations of or- as telephone conversations or con- freeing themselves from norms ganisation at work. To hard work versations between one place and and morality, discrediting those is added the times of transport in another, not to speak of the stupid- who invoke the meaning of things. urban contexts, as well as profes- ity of sending an e-mail to the per- We could complete the list of this sional worries. Just faced with the son sitting next to one rather than psychological profile which is ex- idea of having to go back to work speaking to him or her directly. It tremely dangerous. In a world that again on Monday, some people are was believed that these open spac- is relatively deregulated, at the

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present time in most institutions discover talents that are ignored? resort to practices that end up by it is this type of personality who Otherwise we run the risk of en- weighing on their self-esteem. Re- obtains power and who passes his gaging in a form of personal and sort to adultery, to prostitution, to or her time destroying other peo- social waste. pornographic sites and to mastur- ple in order to raise his or her own A loss linked to a separation of- bation are often the expression of image alone. We encounter this ten involves a relative disinvest- a difficulty and a suffering in the profile even in religious Congre- ment from reality in those people couple when the spouses have dif- gations. It is a profile that drives who are marked by the death of a ficulty in engaging in the sexual other people mad and they, af- loved one, by a dismissal or a by a act. But these forms of behaviour flicted by suffering, often resort to divorce. In their lives a climate of can also be related to a personal psychological support when they stress is installed that at times leads development that did not facilitate have to deal with this kind of per- them to lose the possibility of think- the affective and sexual matura- son who is endowed at the same ing and acting. One cannot empha- tion of the individual involved. time with a paranoid or maniacal sise enough that all of these factors, Another source of stress is al- character. His or her letters and and in particular divorce, create so the limitless use of the ser- speeches are so confused that time a feeling of insecurity and lack of vices offered by internet. I am and lucidity are needed to realise confidence in oneself and in other thinking in particular about con- that they are manipulated but, at people. Resentments, and even a stant information on networks time, some people do not want to cynical approach, can advance and which spread in an instantaneous accept the evidence. France, there- colour life in a negative way. and permanent way the smallest fore, passed a lay that punishes A loss of control over one’s own event that takes place on the oth- moral harassment which takes dif- existence through the sudden emer- er side of the planet. And even if ferent forms when practised by a gence of an illness, the difficulties what is happening is known, jour- perverse narcissist. A relationship of one’s children who have become nalists keep the general public with this kind of character is often teenagers, or family and marital on tenterhooks wanting to know a source of stress. problems, often constitute a form what could or should take place. But one should also consider of trauma that calls into question Events, therefore, are constructed other origins of stress. The princi- the balance of the person obtained or reconstructed according to the pal factors can be summarised in up to that point. Life becomes worries of journalists or of what the following way: stressing because it is troubling and they believe to be the expecta- Burnout. This is a professional has a horizon that seems uncertain, tions of the general public. We pathology linked to overwork and indeed even fragmented. witnessed this recently with the being worn out by work. There are We could lengthen the list with Synod of Bishops on the Family various symptoms and they are other possible cases. I will limit when there were journalists who manifested in three ways: physi- myself to saying that the stress that directed their attention to sub- ological symptoms (sleep distur- is provoked fosters physical and jects that did not relate to the syn- bance, chronic fatigue, insomnia, psychological disturbances which od with the consequent creation, widespread chronic pains); men- are often presented during clini- notwithstanding everything, of tal and affective symptoms (hy- cal consultations, with, at a physi- expectations that were not justi- persensitivity, depression, lack of cal level: neck and shoulder pains; fied. This system of information, concentration, a negative self-im- headaches; tiredness; a decrease in which can be beneficial when it is age, etc.); and, lastly, behavioural appetite; insomnia; and hyperten- practised according to rules, be- symptoms (a significant reduction sion; and, at a psychological level, comes delirious and intellectual- in productivity, an increase and anxiety; depression; problems rely troubling when the population misuse of toxic substances such lating to attention and concentra- learns about a subject that is ma- as alcohol or drugs, irritability, ag- tion; and apathy, that is to say not nipulated for commercial reasons. gressiveness, impulsiveness, and wanting to do anything. The newspaper has to be sold! I folding in one oneself). Most of these existential dif- would like to repeat the point: a Bore-out. This is a syndrome ficulties often have affective and form of journalistic practice ex- linked to professional boredom sensorial repercussions with the ists which is stressing for the pop- and to a lack of responsibility in feeling that life is being lived ‘less ulation in terms of public health one’s job and one’s life. Most of well’. In clinical consultations we since it extrapolates and overes- the time a person is capable of ex- (I am speaking here for profes- timates a fact or invents answers ercising responsibilities but does sionals of mental health) must pay when journalists do not know not know how to appreciate him- very special attention to the qual- about the subject or do not know self to herself in his or her envi- ity of the intimate lives of our pa- how to deal with it. Unfortunate- ronment. His or her colleagues and tients and in particular to what ly, this also takes place in the reli- the heads of the company pass him relates to the expression of their gious field. or her by, as do associations, with- sexual lives within a conjugal con- Social events also have their out noticing his or her talents and text. A distancing from these inti- charge of anxiety when they are predispositions, and to such an ex- mate encounters, which should be over reported in the mass media, tent that he or she ends up by be- experienced at least twice a week, gene rating a sense of powerless- coming resigned and retreating. is not a good indicator of the bal- ness and impunity. Thus it was Does one have to remember that ance of the couple. There is the that in France, with the attacks of every head should know how to risk, in some men in particular, of January 2015, reactions involving

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anxiety and sleep disturbance led order to be treated. We should add uncertainty about what is right to an increase of 18% in the sales that suicide in professional con- and just. This is the fragility of the of anti-anxiety pharmaceuticals in texts is a new phenomenon which democratic power of Western so- only four days. In these circum- is on the increase and it constitutes cieties, as de Tocqueville pointed stances, it is normal to develop a message to the company. It re- out, which, in not having any nat- reactions of anxiety when we are veals that the company is a setting ural and transcendent foundation faced with events that are so vio- for relational suffering, submis- (in the Aristotelian and Thomist lent. However, it is not appropri- sion and the loss of self-esteem. sense of the term), gets lost in de- ate to systematically ‘psychiatrise’ bates about what is legitimate and anxiety which, and I would like to illegitimate and then becomes re- repeat the point, is understandable 3. How Can Environmental duced to choices about ‘values’ when people are so destabilised Stress be Reduced? which, in themselves, are of no by barbarities. But in medicalising interest. These societies have dis- this situation it is as though people In his encyclical Laudato si, tanced themselves from their ori- are seen as sick and not up to the Pope Francis invites us to pro- gins and their cultural points of situation because they are afraid, mote an integral vision of human reference to the point that relation- because they weep and because ecology. It is not sufficient to pro- ships are confused and exploited. they hesitate about leaving their tect our ‘common home’, to use ‘Only men who have roots in a homes. Even worse, when they the phrase of the Holy Father. We land can love and believe and con- have mental disorders which have should also know how to protect struct. Others only destroy’.3 Po- to be treated. In these situations and promote human life. As he litical leaders and work policies we must not neglect the impor- states at n. 225: ‘An integral ecol- foster the breakdown of social ties tance of speaking about what has ogy includes taking time to recov- and a feeling of powerlessness and been experienced, thereby allow- er a serene harmony with creation, an attempt is made to counter this ing people to steadily free them- reflecting on our lifestyle and our though the exaltation of ‘values’. selves from their stress thanks to ideals, and contemplating the Cre- These are often anti-values which their use of speech. Today this is ator who lives among us and sur- prepare the ground for the insta- still the best medicine there is. rounds us, whose presence “must bilities and the conflicts of tomor- Even before these dramatic not be contrived but found, uncov- row. For this reason, if the world events, France was one of the first ered”’ (Evangelii gaudium, n. 71). is changing because of the effect countries in Europe as regards Stress is a symptom of a deep of science with its deep questions, levels of the consumption of psy- insecurity within a person and the it is not pertinent to state that we chotropic drugs. As early as May social environment. Insecurity is must modify the concepts of mor- 2014, the National Agency for the a source of malaise, of a loss of al thought in the name of individ- Safety of Medical Products esti- confidence in oneself and in other ual freedom. By way of a provo- mated that one French person in people, and of a loss of the sense cation, we could say that it is not every three made use of this type of life. the world that changes but we our- of product, and acknowledged that Political leaders should not for- selves who, under the influence of these medical products are pre- get that it is their task to predict various ideologies, modify our re- scribed too often and for too long a and organise all the conditions lationship with reality. The more period of time. This consumption that are needed to assure the secu- that the common good disappears reveals the state of existential ma- rity of families, of work, of hous- from the horizon of Western coun- laise that a large number of people ing, of medical care and treatment tries, the more the governments of experience. For this reason, some and cultural and educational trans- this cultural region, if not inter- years ago I wrote a book entitled mission to the young generations. national organisations, legislate (in French) ‘No to the Depressive These are all sovereign tasks which on questions relating to customs. Society’ (Flammarion). are at times forgotten with the pre- This is a useless and dangerous Stressed people suffer because sent-day temptation to destabilise pathway whose effects we see in of their personal and family prob- the social body through legislation a society that has lost the meaning lems and because of pathologies that is opposed to the meaning of of human life which, instead, must linked to their jobs. Studies show marriage and the family and to cre- be respected from the beginning that 60% of the causes are environ- ate systems of coercion to protect of its existence until its end. This mental whereas 40% are caused certain customs, thereby creating is an approach which has conse- by the mental life of the individ- inequality amongst the citizens. quences for professional, social ual involved.2 Repeated and con- In other terms, civil laws exist and family life. tinuous stress can be transformed which create social illnesses, con- How, therefore, can we contrib- into burn-out. In France the Bul- flicts and resentments that infuse ute to creating greater security in letin de veille sanitaire declared, into citizens a sense of peace and society in order to reduce stress for example, that 500,000 people trust. Moreover, the instability of which, over recent years, has be- suffer from professional patholo- civil law which regularly modi- come notably worse? I would like gies and 30,000 people suffer from fies the rules of society and above to make a number of observations burn-out. This analysis is without all the fundamental parameters in the form of operational criteria doubt an understated one given of reference of the social body in for better political action. that it takes into account only peo- matters relating to the couple, the 1. Most of the countries afflict- ple who turn to a medical doctor in family and filiation, creates deep ed by unemployment are interest-

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ed only in employment in order giving way to an immediate and family contexts, a climate of trust to fight, rightly, against a lack of factual solidarity which, there- and pleasure in working and being work, or in financial compensa- fore, is not structural in character. together are developed, notwith- tions to fight against professional Each person on his or her own is standing the difficulties that are suffering, while undoubtedly we a norm which is imposed in a sort linked to the special characteris- should be interested in the way in of struggle against other people. tics of each individual. which work is organised. It is pre- Liberalism without norms thereby 3. Knowing how to re-establish cisely these conditions of work creates a kind of egocentric and trust in authority in all contexts is which create, at times, a deleteri- autocentric relationship in which indispensable. A great principle ous environment. Let it be made the individual who has the best has to be applied: never speak bad- clear that they are a matter of mate- performance must impose himself ly about, humiliate or insult those rial conditions, beginning with the or herself and neglect other peo- people with whom one works or ‘open space’ approach which we ple, rather than placing his or her lives. This is the best way by which must have the courage to call into performance at the service of the to lose their trust completely, espe- question in order to achieve a more group. In this context, there is the cially when they feel in this way human arrangement of space at the risk that fear, loneliness and low undervalued. A way of managing workplace, but in addition the noise self-esteem will become installed personnel is still in force accord- and the equipment are not always and that these will lead on to res- ing to which it is thought that in suited to the work that is performed ignation, in a climate that creates humiliating those with whom one there. We are also talking about hi- conditions for suicide committed works and one’s family relatives erarchical relationships which, ac- by the most fragile and least struc- they are in this way stimulated to cording to the case involved, create tured personalities. And this is true advance, whereas, instead, totally syndromes in people of profession- both in professional and family the opposite takes place. They un- al exhaustion because of maltreat- contexts and in the social field. dervalue themselves and can no ment in professional relationships. The solution to these problems longer apply themselves and moti- Often the most hit are personalities necessarily passes by way of a sys- vate themselves to think and act as who apply themselves well to their tem of cooperation between people the boss of a company, a parent, an work activity and wish to do well, and this requires spaces of expres- educator or a teacher. because of the fact, that is to say, sion, deliberations and training in Thus it is that ways of acting kill that they are perfectionists. This relationships in the profession- and involve a loss of self-esteem. professional malaise has an incu- al context. Professional training It is not in this way that convivial- bation period of five to eight years should be completely reviewed in ity and trust between the members and is manifested suddenly one day those settings where at the present of a given society can develop. The following one word too many from time in order to create, so to speak, role of a head, of a parent and of a manager or a boss. It is in this way solidarity in a service of a compa- an educator lies in knowing how to that we have a balance in human ny, survival work placements are coordinate intelligences, to foster ecology not being respected which organised on the model of games cooperation, and to distribute tasks goes against a harmony thanks to for teenagers which, although for in which people will excel. which it is possible to achieve what this age band they are useful in re- In the world of work, which is each person has to do. lating to reality, to one’s own at- so burdensome for many people, it Another kind of relationship titudes and one’s own fears, for is important to pay attention to the arises amongst people where trust, adults they should be organised in stability of the personnel in order respect and esteem from above a different way. The point is to be to maintain a memory of work and have to be the key words to be initiated into relationships between relationships with other people. We thought about anew. These are adults, into the social and institu- must discover the political strength the problems that policies should tional dimension, and into the vari- of cooperation between people, in address, whereas, instead, there ous ways of engaging in dialogue particular in settings where political are people who turn them against with people in situations that are leaders entrusted with the organisa- themselves, thinking that they ex- different from ours. This allows tion of society lose themselves in press their personal failure. This is everyone to understand themselves legal manipulations, in ideologi- far from being true given that we better, to understand other people cal errors and in the debasement of know that there are personalities better, and to know how to keep customs which undo society. In this who run the risk of internalising to their own roles. Lastly, the an- way they close down any possible social malfunctioning and attrib- nual assessment conversations en- deliberation about questions con- uting it to themselves. Policies re- visaged by the law in some coun- cerning the common good. Instead, flect only the physical character of tries should be revised. They are everything should be done in order companies without understanding like school examinations with a to open relationships between peo- that this overload involves meth- system of notes, whereas in some ple inside a company, rather than ods of production and tense rela- countries there is talk of abolish- limiting things to a childish clash tionships which weaken people ing school notes for children and of a class struggle between bosses and in the long term devitalise the teenagers. Instead, as regards these and workers. companies themselves. age bands, they are necessary to Social cooperation, based up- 2. We live in a universe where achieving a proper assessment. on fair social rules and objec- a sense of solidarity continues to In short, when these principles tive norms, must be able to im- become increasingly less evident, are applied to professional and pose itself on its own as a benefit

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that leads to circumscribing the One can develop various mental apparatus and, in the name of the tensions through their oral ex- attitudes to deal with stress: culti- relationship which participates in pression. This is the best way by vating a sense of Christian hope, his definition, he must be respect- which to avoid closing oneself up finding pleasure in life, adopting ed from his conception until the in them. positive attitudes and thoughts, end of his existence. and increasing one’s self-esteem, In recent years, the tendency of all help to reduce stress in a nota- our societies has been to reconsti- Conclusion ble way. Lastly, life hygiene plays tute pagan depictions of life which a considerable role in providing always end up by fostering a return The origins of stress can lie in protection: regular physical ac- to barbarities through the destruc- biological realities such as a lack tivity; a quality diet; maintaining tion involved in the social death of of physical exercise, a badly bal- sleep, etc. And then we should not a person, abortion or euthanasia, anced diet, biological changes ac- forget the positive effects of relax- but also through the inhumanity of cording to age or even biochemi- ation exercises or the daily prac- the murder of innocents for political imbalances in the body. The tice of meditation on the word of cal reasons. For this reason, West- impact of endocrinal agitators but God and prayer. ern societies have to protect their also the consequences of contra- Stress is always a factor of in- central framework and their sym- ception until pregnancy (cf. an insecurity. For this reason, it is in- bols rather than discredit them, crease in sterility), and biological dispensable to create personal and and discover those Christian roots waste connected with contracep- social conditions that will help in that have allowed them to refine tives and antibiotics used on hu- trying to free oneself from it. The their sense of human ecology. man beings and nature, are equally former depend on the mental life The solutions by which to reg- phenomena that remain to be stud- of an individual. It is possible to ulate the stress that is inherent in ied, quite beyond any ideology. act upon these by addressing the existence lie in a wish to affirm The origins of stress can equal- problem through speaking about oneself in hope, in truth and in ly be attributed to social pres- it, that is to say by obtaining help trust so that each person in a fam- sures connected with changes in through psychotherapy. The latter ily, in social life and at work feels a person’s daily life (illness, the are connected with the environ- respected. death of other people, unemployment in which a person lives and ment), or to pressures to conform we can act upon these politically to certain rules in the profession- but also in the light of Christian al sphere which are not those that faith in order to make relation- Msgr. Tony Anatrella. A psychoanalyst, specialist in social psychiatry, consult- a person would have chosen for ships and contexts increasingly ant and lecturer at the IPC and the Collège himself or herself, and to objec- human. But we have to have to go des Bernardins in Paris. He is an expert tives which it is difficult to achieve further than this because insecu- of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Île de France Region and the Officers of France. at a professional level, or also to rity can also be the expression of He is also a consultor of the Pontifical lack of support in one’s own en- spiritual anxiety. Council for the Family and of the Pontifi- vironment. Lastly, the origins of The encyclical of Pope Francis cal Council for Health Care Workers and a stress can be the consequence of Laudato si, basing itself on the en- member of the International Commission of Inquiry into Medjugorje and of the Congre- one’s own psychological organisa- cyclical Caritas in veritate of Ben- gation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In addition or the manifestations of prob- edict XVI, says ‘no’ to the exploi- tion he is a Visiting Professor and Professor lems during childhood that have tation of the person and observes of the Master’s on Sexuality and Fertility of the John Paul II Institute in Rome, as well still not been solved, or to having that we see man starting from the as having been an expert of the Extraordi- to face up to situations that remind unity of the person of Christ in his nary Synod of the Family. Msgr. Anatrella a person of the traumas of his or human nature and in his divine na- is the author, among other works, of: La différence interdite, Paris, Flammarion, her past, or to not knowing how to ture. Man, in his subsistence, is 1998; Époux, heureux époux, Paris, Flam- interpret relationships that other defined in a relationship within the marion, 2004; Le règne de Narcisse, Paris, people have with him or her, or to Holy Trinity. One should also see Presses della Renaissance, 2005; La tenta- tion de Capoue, Paris, Cujas, 2008; Pontifi- not being able to overcome certain man as the unity of a subsistence, cio Consiglio per la Famiglia Le gender, la situations because one does not or person, or of a substance, or na- controverse, Presentazione di Tony Anatrel- have a rational approach to solve ture. If this subsistence is a rela- la, Téqui, 2011, Paris; La teoria del gender e the problems of daily life. In other tionship, then man is no longer a l’origine dell’omosessualità, Prefazione del Cardinal Angelo Scola, edizioni San Paolo, terms, conditions of contemporary being of an accidental relationship Milan, 2012; Il regno di Narciso, Milan, life sorely put to the test the men- but, rather, he is a subsistent rela- edizioni San Paolo, 2015; Développer la tal lives of people because these tionship. Thus, his relationships vie communautaire dans l’Église, l’exemple des communautés nouvelles, Prefazione del lives are subjected to too many de- within social ties cannot be treated Cardinale Marc Ouellet, éditions l’échelle mands which, at times, go beyond solely in a functional and instru- de Jacob, 2014; La famille, enjeu pour people’s capacities, leading to pro- mental way to the detriment of any l’Église, éditions Letthielleux, Paris, 2015. fessional exhaustion and to an al- human ecology. He is not a pawn, teration in self-confidence. These an object to be used and thrown are all phenomena that we find in away in line with the costs of pro- Notes burn out, which is a phenomenon duction of a company and the risks 1 Patrick Légeron, Le stress au travail that afflicts every professional of affective relationships: he is the (Éditions Odile Jacob). context, and even the clergy. principal dimension of the social 2 Dostoevsky, The Devils.

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Friday 20 November

Waves of Heat and Cold with an Acute Impact on Frail Individuals (the Elderly, Children, the Immunosuppressed and Individuals with Debilitating Pathologies)

Dr. Antonio do not strive to make these en- 1. Waves of Heat and Cold Maria Pasciuto vironments suitable and worthy, President of the Italian appropriate and rich in love: a Man is the most recent factor Association ‘Medicine, welcome that should accompany to influence the environment and the Environment and Health’, us during the course of our entire has been so for a relatively short Italy lives. period of time. His influence be- The subject that has been giv- gan with the development of ag- en to me in substantial terms re- riculture and the consequent de- y the term ‘salus’ is meant volves around two aspects: 1) that forestation of woods to convert Bboth ‘health’ and ‘salvation’. connected with climate change, them into cultivable land and pas- In the Old Testament ‘salvation’ to which reference is increas- tures, to the point of arriving at translates various terms which re- ingly made, and which amongst today’s large emissions of green- fer to liberation from the most dif- other things involves an increase house gas: CO2 from industries ferent kinds of evil, both material in waves of heat and cold; and 2) and transport and methane from and spiritual. There are those who that connected with the conse- intensive animal raising and rice are saved from evil (in a material quences for health and in partic- fields. According to the theory of and spiritual sense) if God and His ular the health of so-called frail ‘global warming’, man through laws are respected; if the fruits of individuals. his emissions of greenhouse gas His creative Love are respected, With respect to the first part, (above all CO2 and methane) is that is to say the human being and yesterday we listened to the pa- responsible for a large part of the environment – the common per of Prof. Schellnhuber, a great the period of warming which the home, as Pope Francis calls it. expert on the subject and the di- earth is going through today. As regards welcome, reference rector of PIK, the Institute of Re- is made to the act of receiving a search on the Impact of the Cli- The causes of climate change person, which cannot be separat- mate of Potsdam in Germany. For generated by man ed from the way in which it takes this reason, I will confine myself place, so as to create the founda- to emphasising only briefly some The principal sources of gas tions and the conditions for this aspects of the question from an that produces the greenhouse ef- to take place in a dignified way aetiological point of view. fect and are generated by man and with love. This concept, as Indeed, I am a medical doctor are, therefore, the following: the the recent encyclical Laudato si’ and for this reason I have always burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil clearly illuminates, goes beyond been fascinated by research into and gas) in the production of en- man and concerns the whole of the causes that bring about the ergy, in transport, in industry the creation. emergence of pathologies and and in the home (CO2); agricul- Every human being, and thus situations which are harmful to ture (CH4) and changes to soil every child of God, at the mo- health. I will dwell for the most use such as deforestation (less ment of birth (that is to say when part on the aspect of so-called absorption of carbon dioxide) he or she receives the ‘Gift of frail individuals. In this case, as and nitrates in fertilisers; gasses Life’ which God gave to all of us) well, however, I will seek to ex- used in refrigeration and indus- is received into an environment: plain why one arrives at a state of trial processes; intensive animal first the womb of his or her moth- weakness or frailty which is of- raising (CH4; the digestive sys- er, then that of Mother Earth. Re- ten acquired with the passing of tems of pasture animals); the dis- spect for human life (and thus for time and only in part connected charge of waste (CH4); and the God Himself) cannot exist if we to advancing old age. use of fluoride gases by industry.

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The negative consequences of both an economic and an envi- comes and what causes it. Wheth- of what is happening ronmental kind, one should aim er one is dealing with something are many in number at sustainable innovations. that is inherited, and which is and of great relevance The principles that should an- thus difficult to modify because imate those who have decision- it is related to our genetic inherit- Climate change is changing making power at a political lev- ance, or whether it is something our economies, our health and the el, and guide those who engage that we have acquired during the societies in which we live. Scien- in business, must absolutely be course of our lives and which we tists warn that if we do not slow based on sustainability under- can thus overcome, if we man- down this change sufficiently, the stood in the sense of actions that age to understand the dynamics consequences will be dramatic. If must not harm the environment; that have brought it about. As the planet earth were to warm up use materials that are compat- Pope Francis reminds us in his even more: sea levels would tend ible with the health of man; and encyclical: ‘Man is an open sys- to rise because water expands produce the least toxic possible tem, in constant interchange with when its temperature increases waste and waste that is recycla- the environment’ and it is specifi- and the oceans absorb less heat ble, if this is possible. cally here that we must look for from the earth; sea levels would Modern science tells us that the causes of our frailty. To un- rise because of the effect of the this is absolutely possible and derstand this crucial passage in a melting of the polar caps and sea thus must be achieved as soon as better way, I will once again re- ice; cities on coasts would be possible for the good of man and fer to the title of this internation- submerged; places where usual- the planet. al conference which speaks about ly a great deal of rain and snow ‘salus’. In this case, I want to em- falls could become warmer and phasise its meaning in the sense drier; lakes and rivers could dry 2. The Impact on of health and I will offer to you a up; there would be longer and Frail Individuals new definition of this term which more frequent periods of drought (the Elderly, Children, in my view allows us to have a which would make agricultural the Immunosuppressed better understanding of the dy- cultivation more difficult; there and Individuals with namics that lead to this loss of would be less availability of wa- Debilitating Pathologies) health and which suggests to us, ter for drinking and washing but therefore, new more modern and also for agriculture and the food About ten years ago, I en- more effective strategies to main- industry; many plant and animal countered clinical environmental tain (prevention) or restore (treat- species would become extinct; medicine and I immediately fell ment) our state of health. and hurricanes, tornados and oth- in love with it. Clinical environ- er storms would provoke changes mental medicine is that branch Health in temperature and the evapora- of medicine which deals with the tion of water would be more in- harmful effects on man caused The greatest philosophers, sci- tense. by anthropogenic modifications entists and physicians have al- In bare terms, having a great- to the environment. It is to this ways asked themselves what the er awareness of this problem and framework that what I have just meaning of ‘health’ is, providing thus moving rapidly towards put- said about climate change fully the most varied definitions of it, ting concrete solutions into prac- belongs. This takes place through in an attempt to establish when a tice is inescapable and urgently channels such as water, earth, air person is ‘well’ or not. At times, necessary. and radiations. This is exactly however, to explain very deep and what has been happening with detailed concepts, the best thing Solutions to climate change greater intensity and gravity and is to attempt to simplify. Math- (reduction of the greenhouse has increased exponentially over ematics in this case can come effect) the last thirty to forty years. It is to our aid. In my view the con- also what Pope Francis addressed cept of ‘health’ can be expressed To prevent the accumulation in his encyclical Laudato Si’ and through a simple mathematical of greenhouse gasses in the at- to such an extent that the first formula through a fraction, where mosphere we have to implement chapter is entitled ‘What is Hap- the numerator is the capacity for ‘low-carbon’ or ‘carbon-neutral’ pening to Our Common Home’. compensation possessed by every policies. This is why we have to Pope Francis’ thought and at- organism, and the denominator is aim at renewable resources. De- tention is concentrated in par- the disturbance factors (environ- carbonisation is the key to stop- ticular on frail individuals such mental factors, stressing elements ping climate change. as, for example, the elderly, chil- of various origins, with which the What families, companies and dren, the immunosuppressed and organism itself is constantly in institutions have still not under- individuals with debilitating pa- contact). stood is that one can link eco- thologies. nomic growth to protection of the In this case, as well, as a medi- Capacity for environment. In order to main- cal doctor, I am obliged to try to Health = Compensation tain a certain level of prosperity, understand whence this frailty Disturbance Factors

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If we wanted to examine this the environment plays a role of the environment and health, and mathematical expression in a great relevance in bringing about to inform citizens in a correct better way and see it from a pathologies, especially those of and modern way so that they can broader perspective, I would a chronic and degenerative char- achieve real primary prevention even say with a philosophical/ acter. When we formulate a di- through respect for their own theological approach, we would agnosis we must not be satisfied persons and the environment in realise how in the numerator with ‘always blaming’ ‘age and which they live. EUROPAEM (the upper part of the fraction) stress’. We should always think in recent years has trained many we find all those elements that of the causes and joint causes medical doctors in Germany, help us to foster and conserve that come from the environment. Luxembourg, Italy and Spain. health. We are dealing here with The wonderful encyclical of what we have received as a gift The role of medical doctors Pope Francis cannot be not lis- from God and which allows us and health-care workers tened to. Above all else, after to be in good health every day: allowing it to enter us, we must the immunity system, the en- In the light of the new aware- move on to action. zyme defence and de-intoxica- ness that comes from the encycli- St. James reminds us: ‘what tion system, and the effluents cal Laudato Si’, medical doctors does it benefit you, my brethren, which allow us to eliminate eve- and health-care workers should if one of you says he has faith but rything from the organism that perform their work (their mis- not works? Can that faith perhaps is injurious to it. In the denomi- sion), in the sense of prevention save him?’ The encyclical ends nator (the lower part of the frac- and cure, through work directed with the signature of the Pope – tion), instead, we find what caus- towards ‘reinforcing’ what we Franciscus, that is to say Francis es illness. To understand things find in the numerator and reduce (Francesco in Italian). I wanted correctly, these are components to the utmost the so-called ‘dis- to link these two last letters (co) that are ‘created’ by man and turbance factors’, all of which are so as to have them as a compass placed in increasing quantities closely connected with the dete- for our action, to know how, and in the environment and in nature rioration of the environment. in what direction, we should when respect for, awareness of, The fundamental element from move on to the operational stage. and love for nature herself dis- which to start is awareness of And for this I have found fifteen appears. Amongst these may be what has been said hitherto in words (which in Italian begin identified, for example, environ- this paper. A medical doctor must with co) that must be our travel- mental pollutants such as insec- know that very many patholo- ling companions: 1. awareness; ticides, pesticides, defoliants, gies, and in particular chronic ill- 2. knowledge; 3) conscience; 4. solvents, plastics, heavy metals, nesses and functional disorders, communication; 5. consistency; phthalates, biphenyls, moulds, have as their principal cause (or 6. constancy; 7. cooperation; 8. nanoparticles, genetically mod- as a joint cause) a factor of an en- coordination; 9. collegiality; 10. ified organisms, electrosmog, vironmental origin. These should participation; 11. constructive- and many others. It has by now be explored and demonstrated ness; 12. communion; 13. con- been amply demonstrated that (today we have available labo- version; 14. courage. Parkinson’s disease, for exam- ratory analyses that are interna- We must go on this journey ple, is connected with heavy tionally recognised by which to uniting our forces. The message metals and pesticides, and that proceed to a monitoring of the of Pope Francis applies to us male infertility has a correlation environment and a bio-monitor- all; nobody can draw back. We with poisoning by endocrine dis- ing in that sense). must deepen our commitment ruptors such as phthalates. Clinical environmental medi- to achieving our common objec- Here as well the interpreta- cine is a new branch of medicine. tive of ‘stewarding the common tion could be as follows: God has This is a modern discipline (the home’: parents, teachers, scien- given us everything that is need- central role of the environment as tists, medical doctors, politicians, ed to be in good health. Man has a determining cause of very many legislators, administrators, law- free will to conserve these gifts pathologies) and a transversal one yers, judges, businessmen, jour- and treat them with care and with as well (every medical specialisa- nalists, priests… love so as to live in good health tion is connected with it). Martin Luther King said: ‘may- for as a long as possible. Or he be you are not responsible for the can damage himself (living a Helping through information situation in which you find your- dissolute life) and the environ- and training selves, but you will be if you do ment in which he lives (this has nothing to change it!’ And Albert been taking place in an increas- Some years ago in Europe the Einstein said: ‘Those who say it ingly notable way over the last EUROPAEM (www.europaem. is impossible should not disturb decades), inexorably moving to- eu) was founded. This is the Eu- you when doing it’. wards illness. ropean Academy of Environmen- I will end this paper by refer- In carrying out his profession- tal Medicine whose principal aim ring to what Pope Francis said on al activity, a medical doctor can- is to train medical doctors in the 22 November 2013 in his homily not depart from awareness that light of new knowledge about given in Santa Marta: ‘The first

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temple of God is our body which Jesus drove out the moneylend- creation (the temple) lack re- must be respected’. ‘The tem- ers who through their trade failed spect for man and lack respect ple is the place where we Chris- to respect God, there is another for God. We must not allow this tians go to pray, but above all it temple and another sacredness to and Pope Francis tells us force- is the place where one goes to consider in the life of faith: the fully how to do this! Now it is worship the Lord’. ‘Side by side body of each one of us which just a matter of acting! And if with the temple understood as a should be equally respected’. someone has scruples or fears… place for worship, from which Those who do not respect the ‘do not be afraid’.

The Impact of Endocrine Disruptors on Health

Prof. Costanzo vironment can be roughly defined which can found within an organ- GIULIO Moretti by this vast gamut of non-genetic ism but which are not produced Professor of Endocrinology variables that include, amongst by it and which are potentially at the University of Rome others, nutrition, stress, medical able to interfere with or disrupt Tor Vergata; products and exposure to chem- the working of the endocrine sys- UOC of Endocrinology, ical disruptors. With a term that tem. One should make clear that ‘Fatebenefratelli’ was coined in the year 1991 on the mechanisms by which these St. John of God Hospital, the occasion of a conference that chemical products can induce Tiber Island, took place in the United States toxicity vary and that the toxicity Rome, Italy of America at the Wingspread that is mediated by an alteration Conference Center in Racine, in the endocrine system forms Wisconsin, entitled ‘Chemical- one small part of all the known ly Induced Alterations in Sexual mechanisms of toxicity. Development: the Wildlife/Hu- Definition of Endocrine man Connection’, the endocrine Disruptors disruptor chemicals (hereafter The Characteristics and in this paper ‘EDCs’) were de- Mechanisms of Action of The availability of information fined as ‘substances present in Endocrine Disruptors about the sequence of the human the environment in food in con- genome, the development of plat- sumer products that interfere with EDCs have many different forms for a rapid analysis of the the biosynthesis, metabolism chemical structures: some of entire genome, and genetic as- and hormonal action, leading them are highly soluble in water sociation studies have enabled to changes in the physiological whereas others are lipophilic and us to explore the heterogeneous control of the neuro-endocrinal, therefore able to interact with a nature of chronic illnesses, of a thyroid and male and female re- vast series of nuclear receptors. In hidden kind as well, such as car- productive systems, to the devel- addition, in many disruptors their diovascular disorders, cancer, di- opment and genesis of breast and chemical structure does not pre- abetes, obesity, disorders of the prostrate cancer, and to metabolic dict their biological actions, as in reproductive system, psychiat- and cardiovascular homeostasis’. the case of Bisphenol A, a diphe- ric pathologies, and others. This At least 80,000 chemical sub- nol compound that is able to inter- information in general identi- stances used in international trade act with the oestrogen receptors fies important polymorphisms of exist and every year 1,000-2,000 but only to a lesser extent with the single nucleotides (SNPs) which are introduced for the first time, androgen and thyroid hormone contribute to the risk of illness as a result of which the agencies receptors. even if environmental elements established for the protection of For these reasons, the efforts clearly constitute important risk the environment are not able to that the scientific community factors and this to the extent that assess their safety completely. concerned with endrocrine stud- gene-environment interactions In 2012, furthermore, the World ies and toxicology has engaged in have acquired increasing impor- Health Organisation pointed to order to identify the properties of tance in establishing the risks of 800 xenobiotic substances. These EDCs and define endocrine risks, a pathology. In this sense, the en- are natural or synthetic molecules assessing the correlations between

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research carried out in vitro and in rected towards providing secure follow involve a selection of the vivo on animal models and obser- information to legislative bodies most common endocrine disrup- vations on humans, must have as for the protection of individuals tors as regards human populations their goal prevention and be di- and populations. The tables that and their potential effects.

Disruptors Source of contamination Effects

Lead Degradation of lead-based paints Brain development and IQ. and contaminated dust Multiple effects on the endocrine system

Mercury Food for marine species. Brain and memory development. Atmospheric mercury of industrial Effects on the thyroid and other origins endocrine tissues

Perfluorate compounds Stain-removers for clothes, Multiple mechanisms of action. (PFCs)* furniture and food packaging. In particular, pathologies of the Boxes and containers for fast-food. thyroid and participation in the *They persist and accumulate in Anti-fire foams, stain-removers, genesis of neoplasms. the environment and have a long paints for wood, roofs and floors. biological half-life in humans

Polybromide biphenyl ethers Flame retardants in polyurethane, Multiple mechanisms of action. (PBDEs)* furniture, In particular, interaction with plastics, telephone equipment. oestrogen, androgen and thyroid *They persist and accumulate in Dust in renovated environments. receptors. the environment and have a long biological half-life in humans.

Polychlorinated biphenyls Prohibited since 1970, they are Interacts with the oestrogen (PCBs)* still used in dielectric fluids, wood signal, associated with hormone treatments, and inks. dependent cancer and early *They persist and bio-accumulate puberty in the environment

Diphenyl dychloride, ethylene Metabolite of the insecticide Interacts with the oestrogen dychloride DTT widely used with a long signal, associated with hormone (DDE) environmental biological half-life dependent cancer and early puberty

Bisphenol A Tin coverings, epoxy resins, plastic Oestrogen, androgen, and thyroid (BPA) containers receptors. Linked to chronic pathologies

Triclosan Anti-microbe soaps, clothes, Thyroid function crockery, cosmetics

Parabens Preservatives for many consumer Disruption of oestrogen activity (esters of para-hydroxybenzoic products, paint, lipstick, perfumes, acid) shaving cream, sun creams

Phthlates Widespread as products for Interaction with the androgen personal hygiene etc., plastics in and thyroid functions. Associated PVC, insect repellents, floors with loss of masculinisation and a reduced number of spermatozoa

Perchlorates Widely present in foods, fruit and They block the uptake of iodine vegetables, beer, wine and other and reduce levels of the thyroid food products hormone

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The chemical substances that pensation deserve major attention. only because of mutations in the interfere with the organs of the The term ‘homeostasis’ refers to DNA sequence but also, and in- endocrine system can therefore the properties of a dynamic sys- stead, through a modulation of fac- act at the level of any one of the tem of maintaining an internal tors that regulate the expression of events that regulate hormonal ac- constancy. The term ‘compensa- genes, for example DNA methylation, from the synthesis process- tion’ refers to when a system that tion and histonic acetylation. The es, the transport, and the release is in a state of homeostatic balance principal pathways of exposure to of the hormone to the catabolic is disrupted and various elements EDCS are through the skin (cos- mechanisms that break it down within the system are activated or metics, deodorants, body creams, and eliminate it. In addition, the inhibited in order to allow the re- perfumes and shampoo); the ac- disruptors can directly influence turn of the balance. cumulation of lipolytic disruptors, hormonal biological activity, and These facts are especially im- the transfer from the mother to the thus its function as a receptor. portant when one considers the foetus; inhalation; oral exposure; potential adverse effects of the ex- and the transfer of lipolytic EDCs posure of a foetus to low doses of from the mother to the neonate EDCs compared to what happens through breast feeding. For exam- in adults. Indeed, the development ple, organophosphate pesticides of a foetus, because of the low- are responsible for about 200,000 er capacities at the level of com- deaths every year in developed pensation, is a moment when the countries and high exposure to disruption of the hormonal sys- them linked to acute adverse ef- tems can create irreversible dam- fects has a modality of manage- age. Considering, in addition, that ment that is completely different the endogenous hormones display from chronic long-term exposure non-linear dose-response charac- where symptoms and systems of teristics, one may expect that en- treatment are relatively clear. vironmental pollutants can inter- In the same way, acute brain act with the hormonal system and toxicity caused by exposure to display non-linear responses. Ex- lead has been known since ancient The results of basic research posure to endrocrine disruptors is times and it has always been be- and clinical and epidemiological bio-monitored above all in relation lieved that a high exposure was observations identify a potential to programmes of exposure to in- able to produce damaging effects. influence of EDCs on the recep- dustrial chemical products and re- But from 1924 onwards when tion mechanisms of the hormone ports are regularly up-dated in the tetraethyl lead began to be used as signal. The receptors (see graph) site for the Centre for the Con- an additive to petrol many deaths can be roughly divided into mem- trol and Prevention of Pathologies in workers in contact with this brane receptors and nuclear recep- (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/expo- lead derivative were registered and tors. The membrane receptors link surereport which was recently up- many of them developed neurolog- peptidic and small molecules that dated in February 2015. ical symptoms. Despite this fact, cannot pass through the plasmat- A certain number of points have tetraethyl lead was approved as an ic membrane whereas the nucle- been demonstrated to be of funda- additive for petrol in 1926 and this ar receptors link small liposolu- mental importance in the full un- began the point of departure for the ble molecules that are spread and derstanding of the mechanisms of management of the problem of en- are transported through the mem- action and the consequences of docrine disruptors: the triangle be- brane within the cell. In both cases exposure to EDCs. It is important tween the evidence to come out of the link of the ligand molecule to to take into account the length of research, the interests of the chem- its receptor site activates a ‘cas- exposure (the exposure of an adult ical-industrial world, and legisla- cade’ cell response that involves to an EDC can have consequenc- tive authorities. The independent numerous signal molecules and es that are very different to what research of Herb Needleman dem- ends with the binding of specific happens in the case of exposure onstrated an interesting relation- sequences of DNA which is fol- of a foetus or a neonate); the la- ship between the intellectual quo- lowed by the activation of the pro- tency of exposure; the importance tient of children and their level cesses of gene transcription. The of the mixtures and therefore the of exposure to lead. This research mechanisms by which the EDCs possibility that a number of com- emphasised the need to identify the act include, therefore, the oestro- ponents, if present, can have a precise level of exposure, given genic and androgenic signals; the greater or synergic disruptive ef- that lead continues in the bone tis- thyroid receptors; the PP-AR (perfect; and the non-genomic dose- sue for about thirty years, although oxisome proliferator-activated re- response dynamic by which even the presence of this metal in blood ceptor); and retinoic acid. In ad- infinitesimal doses of an EDC can is limited to only thirty days. De- dition, the EDCs influence the act on the receptors that mediate spite this important discovery, lead steroid-genetic enzyme activity rapid cellular responses that are was removed from petrol only in and the central neuro-endocrinal different from traditional ones: the the year 1974: not because of the mechanisms. In this context, the transgenerational and epigenetic correlated risk of illness but be- concepts of homeostasis and com- effects that can be transmitted not cause of the potential damage it

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could do to the catalytic convert- anisms of action of chemical dis- other words, the consequences of ers of automobiles. After its re- ruptors in relation to health: exposure during development can moval it was demonstrated in 1984 Age at exposure. The exposure be not immediately manifest dur- that the levels of lead in blood of of a adult to an EDC can have ing the first stages of life but, rath- the Western population had been very different consequences to er, they can be manifested during reduced by about 74%. This is a the case of the exposure of a foe- the course of adulthood or even in paradigmatic example of how the tus or a growing child. Even in- old age. influence of a chemical disruptor finitely low levels of exposure to Genetic variability. The ef- on health was not taken into con- EDCs (and at any level of expo- fects depend on the variability of sideration because of industrial in- sure) can generate endocrine or gene expression, creating a back- terests. reproductive anomalies in the em- ground that requires studies on The same observation could be bryo, in particular if the exposure high numbers of individuals us- made about polychlorinated biphe- takes place during a critical period ing a genomic and statistical ap- nyls (PCBs) which were used for of the ‘window of susceptibility’ proach. This produces an individ- various industrial applications, in to endocrine disruptors which, for ual background that requires an electric supports for wood panels, example, in a male foetus takes in-depth genomic and statistical creating skin pathologies (chlo- place in particular between the survey on a grand scale. racne) and grave liver damage in first week and the fifteenth week The importance of mixtures. If workers who were most in contact of the life of the foetus. individuals and populations are with this chemical disruptor. Clini- cal reports had pointed to this damage as early as the year 1899 but the product was prohibited only in 1979. A similar observation can be made about diethylstilbestrol (DES), a powerful substance with an oestrogenic action able to provoke miscarriage and vag- inal adenocarcinoma in women exposed to it, with consequences for daughters as well who have a External greater risk of womb fibromioma- environment tosis, endometriosis, breast cancer, recurrent miscarriage, prema- Foetal bases of adult ture birth and malformations of pathologies the reproductive tract. Individual Multidisciplinary information genome is thus necessary and in particular information of this kind which is useful in understanding and defin- ing the effects of chemical disruptors that do not remain in the body In a developing organism, low exposed to various EDCs it is al- for a long time. This interdiscipli- doses of EDCs can have even so possible that in the presence of nary work starts from the evidence more powerful effects than those an environment with a low con- of basic research directed towards correlated to exposure to high centration of disruptors additive exploring toxicity in models of cell doses. To describe the ‘foetal bas- effects will be created which are culture and in animal models, and es of adult pathologies’ one has to even more difficult to detect and on to epidemiological studies in reflect on the observation that the assess, even with the help of so- man that are able to demonstrate development of an organism is in- phisticated and sensitive methods which chemical substances can fluenced both by the intrauterine of dosage. For that matter, the ef- modify the physiology of enzyme environment and by the external fects can be the result of multiple systems, and of metabolic and environment that interacts with micro-insults during the course of catabolic pathways, using various the individual genome, causing a person’s life. process of transport and accumula- the propensity of an individual to Transgenerational and epige- tion. develop pathologies or dysfunc- netic effects. The effects can be tions during the course of life. manifested after a long period of The period of latency of the ex- latency and also be transmitted Important Aspects of the Effects posure. The bases of pathologies from one generation to another. of Chemical Disruptors on in adults that originate during the Recent evidence has demon- Health development period are obvious- strated that the genomic path- ly correlated with the interval be- way is not an exclusive transmis- Some points are ‘key aspects’ tween the time of exposure and sion mechanism of the actions in the understanding of the mech- the manifestation of a disorder. In induced by the EDCs, which can

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exercise their effects also through which have an impact on fertility. witnessed a dramatic increase in non-genomic transmission mech- Obesity. This is a complex en- diabetes in young people, a con- anisms. This means that the ef- docrinal pathology that is caused dition that was rather rare until a fects of the EDCs can be transmit- by a deep interaction between the few decades ago. Some disrupted both through mutations of the individual genome and the envi- tors, such as phthalates, bisphenol DNA sequences and through the ronment which has undergone a A, arsenic, and organochlorinat- modulation of factors that regu- dramatic increase in incidence ed pesticides and metabolites of late gene expression such as, for over the last thirty years, in par- DDT, have been linked to a higher example, the methylation of DNA ticular in children and adoles- incidence of diabetes in epidemi- and histonic acetylation. The epi- cents. Hormones such as oestro- ological studies. One mechanism genetic effects depend on the en- gens, androgens, glucocorticoids, by which chemical disruptors can vironment: medical products, insulin and thyroids play an im- act fostering the emergence of di- stress, socio-economic status, in- portant role in the control of the abetes type 2 is tissue inflamma- fections, and microbioma. physiology of the adipose cell, tion, a reduction in the secretion The principal pathways of ex- from embryogenesis and the mo- of adiponectin, a compromising posure in man. The principal ment of development, interfering of the control of the secretion of pathways of exposure to EDCs in the metabolism, in the control insulin by the adipose cells, and include through the skin (cosmet- of the balance between hunger an alteration in the working of the ics, deodorants, creams, shampoo and being sated and thus of the liver and the thyroid. and perfumes); through inhalation energy balance. Studies that em- The reproductive apparatus. (in particular polycyclic aromatic ploy animal models and ‘in vitro’ This was the first endocrine sys- hydrocarbons such as benzopiren, cell lines indicate that exposure tem on which studies about the polybrominated biphenyl ethers, to certain disruptors, in particu- potential toxicity of environmen- and plastics and heavy metals); lar during the crucial stages of de- tal chemical disruptors focused. through oral exposure (contam- velopment, can involve an inter- As regards male reproduction, inants in food, plastics, pesti- action between the environment one of the most important argu- cides and fungicides); and, lastly, and the genome that is able to ments was offered by Skakken- through the transfer of lipophilic create a predisposition to the de- baek in 2001 with his definition products from mother to foetus velopment of obesity. Disruptors of ‘the testicular dysgenesis syn- and their accumulation at the lev- that are defined as ‘obesiogenes’, drome (TDS)’. This syndrome as- el of the mammary glands where such as tributyltin, phthalates, sociates some clinical conditions they can be transmitted through perfluorooctanoic acid, flavones, such as a low quality of seminal breast feeding. polychlorinated biphenyls, bis- liquid, testicular cancer, cryptor- phenol A, and polybrominated bi- chidism and hypospadias, posit- phenyl ethers can act at the level ing a single pathogenetic entity The Endocrine System: the of one or more specific sites and identified in defects of androgenic Effects of Disruptors on the alter the endocrinal mechanisms action during the development of Incidence of Pathologies that regulate the adipose tissue the foetus. Epidemiological stud- and the function of the hypothal- ies demonstrate that each of the The causal correlation between amus that establishes the request symptoms of TDS have increased exposure to endocrine disruptors for nutrients, inducing alterations in their incidence and prevalence and risk of illness in man can be in sensitivity to insulin and the li- and this suggests the joint partici- difficult to understand because of pidic metabolism. For example, pation of an environmental fac- a lack of information about the tributiltine and some organostan- tor and invokes those environ- sources of exposure and the dif- nic compounds behave as pow- mental disruptors that have an ficulties in measuring all the pos- erful agonists which are highly anti-androgen function such as sible exposures. To this is added selective of PPAR-γ (proliferator phthalates, bisphenol A and some limitations in the statistical analy- of peroxisomes) and isoforms of pesticides. Studies carried out in ses that establish the effects of a RXR (nuclear receptors for reti- animal models indicate that males mix of disruptors. This increase noids), activating them and al- exposed to the environmental in- in the incidence and prevalence lowing a broad variety of lipo- fluence of disruptors with an oes- of illnesses in a human popula- philic hormones, fatty acids and trogenic or anti-androgenic action tion can, after a certain fashion, their metobolites to modulate the develop hypospadias, cryptor- provide detailed information that differentiation and the volume of chidism and oligozoospermia. is able to establish a causal rela- the adipose cell. Thus obesiogene Since the 1990s, growing evi- tionship in particular as regards disruptors through a correlation dence has linked the reduction in neoplasms, neuro-behavioural between activation of nuclear re- the number and quality of sper- damage (attention disorders and ceptors, epigenetic actions, hor- matozoa, and thus in male infer- autism), dysmetabolic disorders, monal regulation and pathways tility, that has been recorded over and damage to the reproductive of the metabolic signal, vary the the last fifty years to environmen- system which includes varia- metabolic set-points and increase tal stressors which include en- tions in the timing of puberty and the risk of obesity. docrine disruptors. The decline anomalies in the development of Diabetes. In parallel with obe- in the number of spermatozoa in the male reproductive phenotype sity, since the 1990s we have men has been described since the

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year 1992 and the studies con- fertility, such as BPA, vinclozo- syndrome of partial sensitivity to firming this have demonstrated line and dioxin. One should bear androgens (PAIS). Even though a that the influence of genes and the in mind the role of the level of direct correlation between these environment has led to this de- circulating androgens and their syndromes and exposure to EDCs cline, with the idea that EDCs are adequate biological effect, which has not yet been demonstrated, it the principal agents responsible are the agents that are principally is possible to posit that a mixture for this where they interfere with responsible for the normal differ- of disruptors may be involved in the androgenic receptor: for ex- entiation and growth of the ex- the development of these clini- ample pesticides, polybrominat- ternal male genitals. In particular cal situations. Like hypospadias, ed biphenyl ethers and phthalates. during the window of suscepti- cryptorchidism is expressed clini- These last can also reduce the lev- bility, an abnormal development cally in various levels of severity els of circulating androgens and can cause hypospadias which is which go from a palpable testicle have been seen to be responsible, a defect of the ventral position of not completely positioned in the through experimental evidence the urethra on the prepuce which scrotal sack to a testicle that re- collected with animal models, for is expressed in various progres- mains in the abdomen. This pa- the reduced ano-genital distance sive levels of severity and with thology is especially frequent marker of the foetal level of tes- an incidence that has increased in Denmark and England and it tosterone. over recent decades. This de- seems that endocrine disruptors Experiments on animal mod- fect for that matter is character- in this case act by modifying the els have also identified other ‘en- istic of the syndrome of testicu- relationship between oestrogens docrine disruptors’ as being re- lar dysgenesis (TDS), which is and androgens or behaving like sponsible for the reduction in the linked as we have seen to envi- the agonists or antagonists of number of spermatozoa and male ronmental influences, and of the these hormones (see table).

Table: endocrine disruptors and the male reproductive apparatus: experimental effects and their translation to a clinical condition.

Disruptors Effects Translation to clinical Possible mechanisms condition

Vinclozoline Hypospadias, Epigenetic, modified cryptorchidism, methylation of DNA in delayed puberty, pathologies germinal cells of the prostrate

DES Hypospadias, Hypospadias, Increased Erα expression cryptorchidism, micropenis, cryptorchidism, in the epididymis. increased susceptibility to micropenis, cysts of the Reduction InsL3 tumours epididymis

DDT Hypofertility Cryptorchidism

DDE Cryptorchidism

Phthalates Reduced ano-genital Reduced ano-genital Reduced synthesis of distance, cryptorchidism, distance, and leydigian testosterone oligospermia function, hypospadias

PCBs Diminished Reduced length of the spermatogenesis, delayed penis, delayed sexual puberty maturation, reduced fertility, cancer of the testicle

BPA Increase in the volume of Cryptorchidism Increased ERα the prostrate, aberrant expression in the development of the hypothalamus, increased prostrate and urethra, expression of AR in the testicle cancer, increase in prostrate the ano-genital distance

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As regards female reproduc- ous effects on the functioning of bringing forward of the time of tion, the most important example the ovaries according to the age menarche. Over recent decades of the potential effects of chemi- when exposure takes place, giv- we have witnessed an evident cal disruptors is represented by en that it is able to interfere in the bringing forward of the time of the evidence on the injurious ac- foetal ovary with ovogenic mech- puberty which has been attribut- tions of diethylstilbesterol (DES). anisms, provoking meiotic dam- ed to the different quality of nutri- However one should point out a age which is expressed in inter- tion, with the involvement of new lack of data that link the actions generational terms. In the murine scientific evidence on the role of of EDCs with the increased inci- model, during the reproductive leptin in the mechanism of acti- dence of early menarche, irregu- stage BPA is able to strengthen vation of the hypothalamic pulse larities in the menstrual cycle, en- the phenomena of follicular atre- and the influence of visual inputs, dometriosis, uterine fibrosis and sia and luteal regressions and in- fostered by greater ease of access the polycystic ovary syndrome fluence the aromatase enzyme ac- to images and information. How- (PCOS). The effects of cigarette tivity, reducing the secretion of ever, the fact that in some regions smoke are important and can oestrogen hormones. BPA, in ad- the average age of the onset of pu- have an impact on the ovary re- dition, can reduce steroidgenetic berty is roundabout ten years in- serve and thus bring forward the thecal activity. Pesticides such as dicates that environmental factors age of menopause. In experi- dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane can influence the onset of puberty ments on animals BPA is able to and MTX in animal models can and can be involved in the pro- alter the expression and pulsatil- provoke alterations in the steroi- cesses that foster early puberty. ity of the GnRH with a modified dogenesis, modifying the secre- Given the role of sexual steroids, regulation of the receptors at the tion of progesterone and interact- disruptors such as lead, styrene, level of the hypophysary and al- ing with the oestrogenic receptor methoxychlorate, phthalates and terations in the secreting activ- provoking its hypermethylation. BPA, acting on the oestrogenic re- ity of the gonadotrope cell which An interesting subject that cor- ceptor, can accelerate the process produces FSH and LH. More in relates EDCs to the reproductive of the development of puberty in general, BPA can produce vari- system is the theories about the women (see table).

Table: endocrine disruptors and the female reproductive apparatus: experimental effects and translation to a clinical condition.

EDC Effects Translation to clinical Possible mechanisms condition

Vinclozolin Multisistemic disorders Modified methylation that include a greater of the DNA in germinal predisposition to cells, reduced ERα neoplasms expression in the uterus

DDT/DDE Sexual precocity in Early puberty. Neuroendocrinal effects immature rats Hypofertility in daughters through ER and Akt of exposed women <15

2,2-bis Inhibition of the development Early interruption of Apoptosis inhibition in (4-hydroxiphenylpropan) of the mammary ducts, pregnancy (reduced the breast. reduced weight of the sulfotransferase ++ PR expression. Non- vagina, endometrial inactivation of genomic expressions response, early puberty estradiol?)

PCBs During the foetal and Actions in oestrogen postnatal stages steroid receptors and neuroendocrinal effects neurotransmitters and behaviour variations in two generations

Dioxin Altered mammary Inhibition of development and increased cycloxigenasis2 through susceptibility to breast the aryl hydrocarbon cancer receptor

Phthalates Early puberty and ovulation Premature thelarche disorders

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Another aspect is endometrio- take of iodine and in the case of ular in the womb and during the sis, an oestrogenic-dependent dis- low levels of iodine in the diet first stages of post-natal life. En- order with an aetiology that is not can interfere with the function- docrine disruptors have also been completely clear. This is charac- ing of the thyroid. Some EDCs demonstrated to have transgener- terised by the dissemination of can interfere with the transport ational effects as a result of their endometrial cells in the pelvic of (plasmatic and intracellular) ability to influence the epigenetic area outside their physiological proteins and with the nuclear re- processes. This evidence comes anatomical localisation. The close ceptors for the thyroid hormones, from observing that vinclozoline, connection between endome- producing effects of hyper- or hy- a pesticide endowed with anti- triosis and endocrine disruptors pothyroidism. Some observations androgenic properties adminis- is demonstrated by the evidence must be made about the impact tered to mice during the embryo that dioxin creates endometriosis that thyroid hormones have on period of testicular development, in primates by a mechanism that, neuro-behavioural effects and the was able to block the develop- however, is not known. increased incidence and preva- ment of the gonads and transmit As regards the appearance of lence of neuro-behavioural disor- this effect to subsequent genera- tumours, it has been demonstrat- ders, contributing, in addition, in tions through germinal cells. This ed that the oestrogenic and andro- adults to the fostering of the de- effect was then also demonstrated genic receptors play a role in the velopment of cardiovascular pain the case of other endocrine dis- genesis of endocrine-related car- thologies, metabolic syndrome ruptors. cinomas. Cancer of the breast, of and obesity. the endometrium, of the ovary, of the testicle, of the prostrate and Defending Oneself: of the thyroid, is increasing its Epigenetics and Can one Reduce Exposure incidence in Western countries Transgenerational Effects to Endocrine Disruptors? and recently in Asian countries as well. Previously in this paper I re- This aspect of the subject de- It is certainly possible to im- ferred to the influence on children serves an in-depth analysis. Par- plement some preventive meas- of the taking of DES and the ef- ents pass on their genetic inher- ures: eliminate pesticides, her- fects of oestrogenic replacement itance, which is defined as the bicides and insecticides (use therapy on the incidence of breast ‘genome’, and thus also their organic products); wash non-bio- cancer. Other EDCs which influ- phenotype features, to their own logical fruit and vegetables well; ence the proliferation of the cells children, but the gene expression organise a biological diet – this of the mammary gland are pol- can be influenced by environmen- can eliminate the chemical con- yaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), tal factors. This involves differ- taminants that are distributed a class of chemical products that ences in exposure to EDCs dur- above all in fruit and vegetables; have genotoxic/mutagenic prop- ing development or adult life. The use organic products for person- erties as well as endocrine prop- ability of endocrine disruptors to al hygiene (shampoo, protective erties. This has also been demon- modify normal hormonal control creams, products for the body); strated in vivo in animal models, during the stage of development teach children to wash their hands for example BPA, dioxin, PFOA, of a person is probably the most often; avoid buying food in tins or vincolozoline, PBDE, and atra- important subject to be addressed wrapped in plastic; remove food zine. Some phytooestrogens, such as regards the difficulty that ex- from plastic wrapping as soon as as genistein, which is present in ists in identifying damage and its possible; use glass to cook in an soya, according to the dosage and consequences during adulthood. oven; read the labels on food, on the time it is used can have a pro- During the initial stage of devel- cosmetics for intimate hygiene tective role as regards agents that opment of the embryo a single and on products for cleaning the are able to induce mammary can- cell, the fertilised ovule, divides, home very carefully; install water cer or it can interfere and inhibit multiplies and is differentiated in- filters; and avoid children chew- the protective effect of tamoxifen. to many cell types and tissues and ing toys that are made out of soft The application of this informa- in the end becomes a person. Seen plastic. tion to man, however, has provid- from this point of view, developed not very consistent information ment is a process of a permanent which indicates that an important turning on and off of different Conclusions factor in increased susceptibility combinations of genes which al- is the time of latency. low the cell to be differentiated in It is important to be aware of Lastly, the influence on the an individual tissue. In this sense, the fact that the human population working of the thyroid. The thy- epigenetics intervenes by defin- is chronically exposed to an am- roid hormones have important ac- ing those phenotype changes (and ple quantity of industrial chemi- tions during embryogenesis and thus genic expression) of tissues cal products and that many of later in adulthood and various en- that are not strictly dependent on these are circulating in our blood. docrine disruptors can interfere the gene sequences. The EDCs Considering the ample quantity with, and influence, their action. can also influence the epigenom- of chemical products, the majori- A typical example of this is per- ic mechanisms in the period when ty of epidemiological studies may chlorate which can reduce the up- the tissues are formed, in partic- not be able to demonstrate a caus-

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al relationship between exposure patients about how to avoid expo- Select Bibliography and and the emergence and develop- sure to toxic agents, I would like, Further Reading ment of an illness. They may on- therefore, to end my paper by ly be able to prove that they are quoting Pope Francis who in his Casati L., Sendra R., Sibilia V., and Celotti F., ‘Endocrine disruptors: the new able to produce adverse effects on encyclical Laudato si’, at number players able to affect the epigenome’, Front. health by interfering in the action 166, acknowledges and stimu- Cell Dev. Biol. 2015; 3:37. Review. of hormones. lates the never sufficient work of Diamanti-Kandarakis E., Bourgui- gnon J., Giudice L.C., Hauser R., Prins G.S., Soto A.M., Zoeller T., and Gore A.C., ‘Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: an endocrine society scientific statement’, En- docr. Rev. 2009; 30(4):293-342. Giwercman A. and Giwercman Y.L., ‘Epidemiology of male reproductive disorders’, Endotext-NCBI 2013.. Grimaldi M., Boulahtouf A., Del- fosse V., Thouennon E., Bourguet W., and Balaguer P., ‘Reporter cell lines for the characterization of the interactions between human nuclear receptors and endocrine disruptors’, Frontiers in Endocr. 2015, 6:62. Review. Heindel J.J. and Zoeller R.T., ‘Endo- crine-disrupting chemicals and human disease’ in Endocrinology Adult and Pediatric (7th Edition Jameson J.L. and De Groot L.J., Elsevier, 2015). Heindel J.J., Newbold R., and Schug T.T., ‘Endocrine disruptors and obesity’, Nat. Rev. Endocrinol. 2015; 11: 653-661. Review Heindel J.J., Newbold R.R., Bucher J.R., Camacho L., Delclos K.B., Lewis S.M., Vanlandingham M., Churchwell M.I., Twaddle N.C., McLellen M., Chi- dambaram M., Bryant M., Woodling K., Costa G.G., Ferguson S.A., Flaws J., Howard P.C., Walker N.J., Zoeller R.T., Fostel J., Favaro C., and Schug T.T., NIEHS/FDA CLARITY-BPA Research Pro- gram Update (Reproductive Toxicology, 2015). Kabir E.R., Rahaman M.S., Raha- man I., ‘A review on endocrine disruptors and their possible impacts on human health’, Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015; 40 (1): 241-58. Kim B., Colon E., Chawla S., Van- denberg L.N., and Suvorov A., ‘Endo- crine disruptors alter social behaviors and The Italian Ministry of Health, the authorities who are involved indirectly influence social hierarchies via the Endocrine Society and the changes in body weight’, Environmental in the defence of health: ‘World- Health, 2015; 14:64. scientific societies of the medi- wide, the ecological movement Kiyama R. and Wada-K iyama Y., ‘Oes- cine of reproduction such as the has made significant advances, trogenic endocrine disruptors: molecular Royal Society of Obstetricians thanks also to the efforts of many mechanism of action’, Environ Int. 2015; 83:11-40. and Gynaecologists, have pro- organizations of civil society. It is Rouiller-Fabre V., Guerquin MJ., duced documents and created impossible here to mention them N’Tumba-Byn T., Muczynski V., Moison centres for data gathering that all, or to review the history of D., Tourpin S., Messiaen S., Habert R., amd Livera G., ‘Nuclear receptors and en- warn the parts of the population their contributions. But thanks to docrine disruptors in fetal and neonatal tes- that are at risk (in particular preg- their efforts, environmental ques- tes: a gapped landscape’, Front. Endocrinol. nant women). The general mes- tions have increasingly found a 2015; 6:58. Upson K., Sathyanarayana S., De sage is that medical doctors, in a place on public agendas and en- Roos A.J., Thompson M.L., Scholes D., capillary way, must play the role couraged more far-sighted ap- Dills R., and Holt V.L., ‘Phthalates and of providing information to their proaches….’ risk of endometriosis’, Environ. Res. 2013; 126:91-97.

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Ethics and Legislation on the Environment at an International Level

Prof. Francesc Torralba style of production and consump- lows: the anthropocentric posi- Professor of Philosophical tion is compatible with a transfor- tion, namely the discourse about and Ethical Anthropology, mation in the way we understand future generations; the pathocen- the Ramón Llull University the relationship between man and tric position; the biocentric posi- of Barcelona, Spain; nature. tion; the physiocentric position; Consultor of the Pontifical Throughout the history of and the theological position. Nat- Council of Culture, Western thought, ethics has al- urally enough, each of these out- the Holy See ways asked itself about the rela- looks includes positions that are tionship between man and other relatively different from one an- men, the society of human beings other but I have categorised them and human institutions. In gen- in this way in order to be able to eral, the question that has been offer a view of the whole in a way 1. Introduction lacking in the traditional ethical that is comprehensible. approach is that relating to the Over the last thirty years, the relationship between human be- ecological crisis has grown stead- ings and the environment where 2. The Anthropocentric ily worse. The strategies to brake this last is understood in a pure- Position the demographic explosion (‘the ly physical sense. To see the en- earth is exploding’ commented vironment as something that is This approach is based up- Giovanni Sartori), deforestation subject to a moral consideration on Greek and modern reference and desertification; the loss of assumes an important change in points. According to this theo- biodiversity (the irreversible loss the way of understanding things ry, a human being has a sublime of a growing number of plant and and thus to move from man as value and an ontological, ethical animal species); climate change, the lord and master of the world and juridical status that is great- which is the result of the emis- to man as the beneficiary of the er than any other natural entity. sion of greenhouse gases, above world, or, to employ the words Protagoras expressed this view all carbon dioxide which is proof Aldo Leopold, to understand in a famous phrase: ‘Man is the duced by the burning of fossil fu- man as a member of the bioeth- measure of all things’.3 During els (coal, gas and oil); acid rain, ical community of the planet. In the modern epoch the greatest ex- which returns to us the emissions this sense, to refer to eco-ethics ponents of this philosophical po- of sulphur and nitrogen from in- means to refer to ethics that are sition have been Descartes, Ba- dustrial plants; the reduction of new on the panorama of Western con, Locke and Kant. In addition, the ozone layer in the two hemi- philosophy. within this position we should al- spheres, the North and the South, It is specifically Aldo Leopold so place positivist philosophy and which has been caused principal- who is seen in various mono- Marxism. ly chlorofluorocarbons (a product graphs as the father of eco-ethics This anthropocentric approach used in the manufacturing of re- or what he calls ‘earth ethics’.1 In to the relationship between man frigerators, air conditioners, in- his approach, earth ethics broad- and nature is expressed in a very dustrial foams…); and the pollu- ens the boundary of the commu- clear way in the philosophy of tion of water, have not succeeded. nity to include in it the soil, water, John Locke. Nature and the earth This set of very worrying fac- plants and animals, that is to say are clearly devalued inasmuch tors compels us to reconsider the the earth in general. One is deal- as they provide only raw mate- relationship between man and na- ing here with ethics that change rial and only just have a value in ture and to establish the bases for the role of homo sapiens from be- themselves. Work, in the view of an eco-ethical analysis that is co- ing the conqueror of the earth to Locke, was an activity that was herent from the rational point of being a simple member and citi- essential to transform the world view and plausible at the present zen of Mother Earth. into a space that could be lived time. Indeed, it is not sufficient My purpose in this paper of in. For this reason, this English for it to be coherent from a logi- mine is to engage in a panoramic philosopher defended homo faber cal point of view because it must study of the various forms of eco- because he was a producer of pos- also be plausible, that is to say it ethics which can be observed at sessions. is something that must be achiev- the present time.2 On the interna- Strictly correlated with the du- able. This necessarily implies our tional scene we can identify vari- alism of Descartes, the positivist own examination of our lifestyle, ous positions which in schematic vision of the world then came into in order to see whether this life- fashion we can sub-divide as fol- existence. The scientific objecti-

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fication of nature led to its tech- years has provoked notable inter- ing suffering, in order to justify a nological exploitation. Faith in est, on the panorama of eco-eth- human life that is worthy of being indefinite progress took the place ics. In this outlook, one must not lived, Jonas starts from the prin- of faith in Providence. The exper- consider only the value of human ciple that the first duty concerns imental sciences offered increas- life in the present – one should al- the existence of mankind, and it is ingly sophisticated instruments so consider its value in the future. from this that there come obliga- by which to implement the Car- This obliges us to adopt measures tions designed to create the condi- tesian programme of man as lord in order to assure that this future tions that allow the defence of the and master of nature. Nature was can exist. essence of humanity. no longer seen as an organic unity In this approach, the rights of One of the most important the- but became, instead, a space for future generations, which are oreticians of future generation the will to power of man, a mere understood as third generation ethics is Professor Giuliano Pon- terrain for exploitation. rights, are defended. These rights tara (born 1932). This author has Equally illustrative is the way do not derive from the individu- studied in a meticulous way the in which Marxism understood alistic tradition of first generation symptoms of the ecological cri- the relationship between man and rights or from the socialist tradi- sis in order to justify in a sensible nature. The young Marx in his tion of second generation rights: way the need for future genera- Frühschriften proposed not only they come from a general concern tion ethics. He argues that ener- the liberation of man but also the about the future of human life and gy sources run the risk of running liberation of nature. Communism the continuity of the human spe- out and there is also a risk of an was to be the naturalisation of cies. impoverishment or even an end- man and the humanisation of na- Hans Jonas, who in part can be ing of fossil and nuclear resourc- ture, the final solving of the antag- located in this approach, justifies es which could have negative onism between man and nature. In future generation rights in the fol- consequences on a vast scale at the view of the young Marx, soci- lowing terms: ‘We live in an apoc- various levels for those who pop- ety is the union achieved by man alyptic situation, that is to say we ulate the planet in two or three with nature, the true resurrection are faced with imminent univer- hundred years’ time. He also rec- of nature, naturalism achieved by sal catastrophe if we allow things ognises that fossil and nuclear fu- man and humanism achieved by to take the direction they are cur- els are highly polluting and pro- nature. rently following. Here an obser- duce notably grave ills. Anthropocentrism has two dif- vation has to be made, although A further factor that can cause ferent interpretations. In the view it is more than known about. The grave difficulties for future gen- of strong anthropocentrism, the danger comes from the excessive erations, in the view of Pontara, individual is the only important proportions of technical-industri- is the process of growing pollu- thing in the world and as a con- al civilisation’.4 tion and the steady impoverish- sequence the rest (nature, first of The following imperatives can ment of fresh water reserves. The all, but also human communities, be deduced from this observa- process of contamination of deep cultures and institutions) has only tion: ‘An imperative that is suited water supplies can be especially an instrumental value. However, to the new type of action of hu- grave for future generations; this there is also a weak anthropocen- mans and acting subjects could can take place after the arrival trism according to which human have the following forms: “act so of salt water provoked by an in- beings occupy the central space that the consequences of your ac- crease in sea levels because of the in the world and this is the foun- tion are compatible with the per- greenhouse effect or, as has al- dation that justifies all their deci- manence of authentic human life ready been pointed out, by con- sions. on earth”, or, in a negative way: tamination by nuclear waste that Hence it is recognised that hu- “act so that the consequences of is deposited deep in the subsoil. man beings can establish a limit your action do not destroy the Once set in motion, this process and direct their preferences and, possible future of the indefinite can be irreversible or can only be at the same time, establish duties survival of humanity on earth”, stopped at a high cost. towards objects that are not hu- or in a positive away: “include Other threats for future genera- man. In this way, what character- in your current choices the future tions, in the view of Pontara, are ises weak anthropocentrism is es- integrity of man as the object of those connected with the process- tablishing that all the preferences your will”’.5 es of desertification and the pollu- that are felt by human beings are Hans Jonas belongs to this ap- tion of cultivable lands caused by not necessarily licit. From this proach, although starting from various factors: soil erosion, pop- point of view, they would be lic- the formula of his famous ethics ulation pressure, abandonment, it if they were part of a rationally of responsibility. Jonas inverts the inadequate systems of drainage adopted view of the world. utilitarian postulate regarding the and irrigation, the use of pesti- justification of the ethics of our cides and chemical fertilisers… responsibility towards future gen- Amongst the various possibili- 3. Future Generation Ethics erations. Whereas utilitarianism ties open to us today to exercise argues that the first thing must an influence at a general level One has to locate future gen- be the maximisation of wellbe- on future generations, reference eration ethics, which over recent ing (pleasure, utility) and avoid- should be made to those that have

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appeared following the develop- scriptive propositions of a moral en by the Norwegian philosopher ment of biomedical science, bio- character that affect human be- Arne Naess in Bucharest in 1972 technology and genetic engineer- ings and their decisions. Respect who contrasted it with ‘shallow ing. All of these have opened up for the good lives of others and ecology’. This vision of the rela- the road to eugenics, that is to say the need to avoid doing wrong tionship between man and nature planning the existence of human and suffering act as a basis for the starts with a pantheism along the beings who are endowed with a environmental ethics of compas- lines of Spinoza which re-sacral- specific character and no other, sion which generate decisions and ises nature and is connected with with the consequent possibility moral rules. Buddhism and Taoism, and thus of influencing the creation of fu- Peter Singer establishes the condemns monotheistic thought ture generations. The key ques- boundary of sensitivity, that is with its dualism and looting of tion that poses itself is: should to say the capacity to suffer or nature. Its position is also called we have an influence? And if the to experience pleasure or happi- egolatry and has involved two answer is in the affirmative, how ness, following the text of Jeremy very serious problems: the prob- should this be done? Bentham, as the only boundary lem of ontological egalitarianism of our concerns for the interests and the problem of the compati- of others. The principal obstacle bility between this way of think- 4. The Pathocentric Position to support this proposition, in the ing and the lifestyle of industrial- view of this author, comes from ised societies. The pathocentric position is what he himself calls the species Sheppard believes that mono- based upon a utilitarian doctrine prejudice which leads to greater theism breaks the sacred ties be- expounded by Jeremy Bentham weight being attributed to the in- tween man and the earth and leads in his Introduction to the Princi- terests of one’s own species than to capitalism, to fascism and to ples of the Morality of Legislation those of extraneous species. imperialism, establishing a hier- in which are formulated the moral archy between man and the earth, obligations of human beings to- given that what is worst, in his wards those animals that are able 5. The Biocentric Position view, is that men are considered to experience suffering. In these individually and collectively as arguments he uses the moral cri- In this analysis the value of being more valuable that species terion of the capacity to feel pain ‘life’ is seen as a criterion of mo- that are in danger of extinction. In or pleasure of animals. The cen- rality. This criterion requires ob- this vision of the world, the indi- tral imperative of this position ligations and duties from human vidual is dissolved in nature. can be summed up in the follow- beings as regards their species The three pillars of deep ecol- ing maxims: ‘Do not cause pain and their relationship with other ogy are: biocentrism or biocen- to anybody (including animals); species and living organisms of tric equality, whereby all species help everyone, as far as this is every type, whether they are ca- have the same right to develop ac- possible’. pable or not of suffering. Accord- cording to their natures; self-ful- This approach, which at the ing to this approach, life is at the filment through an identification present time is one of the bases centre of the universe and it is of the individual with all other of the philosophy of Peter Singer, what has to be conserved and de- beings and with the biotic com- adopts a very critical attitude to- fended in all of its multiple forms. munity as such; and the spiritual wards the illusion that the human Every life possesses a moral rel- character of the whole of nature, condition has more ontological, evance, without there being any which is seen as immanent divin- ethical and juridical value. Singer discrimination in this sense be- ity and which constitutes the ul- defends a bioethical community tween species. timate foundation of biological which places all those being that The central maxim of biocen- equality. can feel pain, both men and ani- trism, which has decidedly ori- mals, on the same level. This, nat- ental roots, can be expressed in urally enough, does not include the following way: I am life that 6. The Physiocentric Position all animals but, rather, a larger set wants to live amidst life that than that taken into consideration wants to live. This approach is In the physiocentric position, it starting with classical anthropo- based upon a biological egalitari- is not life that is the centre but na- centrism. anism or ontological uniformism. ture (fisis) and nature is made up It is starting with this approach All living beings have the same both of beings who have life and that the rights of animals are devalue because all of them have of inanimate beings. These argu- fended.6 Some important writers in common the fact of sharing in ments are placed at a holistic or of the contemporary world, such life. In this approach there is nei- totalitarian level. In them we here as Peter Singer, P. Cohn, R. L. ther an ontological hierarchy no a sounding out the Stoic impera- Clark and J. Ferrater Mora, have scale of beings because of other tive: respect nature! Moral duty stressed the need to respect ani- criteria or attributes. is in nature because nature is the mal rights, and in particular the It is within this position that we bearer of values in itself, values rights of animals that suffer. From should place the current of deep which, once they have been dis- the right to wellbeing and a happy ecology. The term ‘deep ecology’ covered and recognised as such, life of animals are deduced pre- appeared in a famous paper giv- form the basis of the duties and

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obligations of human beings to- Peace escapes us – the planet is there cannot be a radical change wards the environment. being destroyed – neighbours live in our situation. We thus commit Here duty derives from be- in fear – women and men are for- ourselves to these world ethics, to ing, without taking into account eigners to one another – children mutual understanding and forms the well-known naturalistic lie are dying. All of this is horrible’.8 of life that are socially open, pro- which, as we know, involves de- The diagnosis or point of depar- mote peace and respect nature’.11 ducing moral prescriptive propo- ture outlined by Küng in his book As regards eco-ethics of a the- sitions starting with natural or bi- A Project for World Ethics is even ological impress, one should em- ological facts. Nature appears as more terrible. ‘Every minute’, phasise the contribution of the a reality endowed with subjectiv- he affirms, ‘the countries of the theologian Leonardo Boff and his ity and life as intrinsic values. It world spend a little less than two Franciscan approach.12 This Bra- not only has a value in terms of million dollars on weapons, every zilian theologian calls for a new its utility, as is highlighted in the hour 1,500 children die because theology of the creation in order ethical work of Kant, but also has of malnutrition, every day a spe- to face up to the ecological crisis value in terms of its dignity. Hu- cies of animal becomes extinct, in which we are immersed. Fol- man beings are a part of this valu- every week a growing number lowing the conceptual schemata able nature and share in its des- of people, more than at any other of liberation theology, Boff in- tiny and fate. historical epoch, are put in prison, vokes a liberation of the earth as tortured, murdered or forced to well as a liberation of man. emigrate, or are oppressed in var- Faithful to the Franciscan out- 8. The Theological Position ious ways by repressive regimes. look, Boff sees in the creation Every month the international the great house of God, the ex- The theological argument is economic system adds about 8 pression of beauty, of unity, of constructed starting with certain million dollars to the debt of the truth and of the goodness of the religious reference points. From poorest countries of the world, Creator in each one of the crea- the theological point of view, the every year an area of tropical for- tures that make up the world. He world is defined in essential terms est is chopped down of a size that understands the world as a sacra- as creatio Dei. To believe in the is a little less than Korea’.9 ment, as a symbolic expression of creation does not mean to believe Küng starts with the idea that it the presence of God, as ‘a great in simple initial push at the begin- is possible to find common values sacrament, a mirror in which God ning of history. It means believing in the great religious traditions is reflected’. The creation, as it is in a permanent action. God creat- and as a consequence it is licit to called in the Book of Genesis, is ed the world and He maintains it; imagine the construction of world understood as something that is the work of the creation remains ethics based upon dialogue be- very good and very beautiful. a work of love and of generosity. tween the various religions that Leonardo Boff understands sin To believe in the Creator means coexist in the world. In the Dec- as an inadequate relationship be- to say ‘yes’ to the whole of reality laration, which expresses a part tween men and nature. In his point and to accept it as a gift. of his thought, the starting point of view, one has to overcome the When discussing this outlook is the idea of interdependence. pessimistic vision of the world. we should mention the contribu- On this idea is based the thesis of God is not loneliness but, rather, tions of Hans Küng and Leonar- eco-responsibility: ‘We declare community, a communion of peo- do Boff. The famous theologian that all of us depend on each oth- ple in a state of love. This is an Hans Küng developed a project er. Each one of us depends on the idea of God that is deeply ecolog- of global ethics that naturally has wellbeing of the totality. Thus we ical, from which springs Christian applications in the field of eco- must have respect for the commu- dogmatics. It also refers to the ethics.7 In recent years this pro- nity of living beings, of men, of idea of the cosmic Christ, in what fessor of dogmatic theology has animals and of plants, and attend is near to the concept of Christ of concentrated a large part of his to safeguarding the earth, the air, Teilhard de Chardin. It also in- intellectual efforts on the concep- water, and the soil’.10 vokes panentheism in opposition tual elaboration of ethics of an In this Declaration a request is to pantheism. It is one thing to international range starting with made for a change in mentality, a say that God identifies with the the various moral standards of transformation of hearts in order world but another to say that God the great religions. These efforts to change the world in which we is manifested in the world but is found concrete expression, in find ourselves and transform so- not the world. part, in the Declaration for World ciety: ‘The earth’, it is stated in Even though Boff invokes a Ethics. Parliament of World Reli- this document, ‘cannot be trans- unity of meaning in the creation gions. formed to good effect if the con- and cosmic brotherhood amongst In it the following observation sciousness of individuals does all the entities that go to make is made: ‘The world is dying. This not change first. We promise to it up, a unique role and place of dying is so impending and per- broaden our capacity for percep- human beings in the creation is vasive that we feel compelled to tion, disciplining our spirit with highlighted. One cannot accuse indicate the forms in which it is meditation, prayer or positive Boff of ontological egalitarianism expressed so as to be able make thought. Without risk and without because he sees the human being clear the depth of our concerns, a readiness to engage in sacrifice as the last to appear.

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9. Conclusion is characteristic of modernity, is 6 Cf. J. Ramón Lacadena (Ed.), Los derechos de los animales, Universi- the only criterion for human be- dad Pontificia de Comillas, Desclée de In simple terms, the various haviour and thus a valid criterion Brouwer, Bilbao, 2002. analytical approaches of eco- fore solving ecological problems 7 Cf. H. Küng, Progetto per un’etica mondiale, (Trotta, Madrid, 1992); ‘A la ethics presented in this paper that may arise. búsqueda de un “ethos” básico univer- can be grouped together as fol- sal de las grandes religiones’, in Con- lows: biologistic ecosophies that cilium 228 (1990), pp. 165-334. 8 H. Küng and K. J. Kunschel deny not only the legitimacy of Notes (eds.), Per un’etica mondiale, (Trotta, strong anthropocentrism but al- Madrid, 1994), p. 15. so those of weak anthropocen- 1 Aldo Leopold, L’etica della Terra 9 H. Küng, Per un’etica mondiale (1946) (Los Libros de la Catarata, Ma- (Trotta, Madrid, 1991), p. 17. trism; humanistic ecosophies, ac- drid, 2000). 10 H. Küng, Dichiarazione per cording to which a recognition of 2 This is not the first time that i have un’etica mondiale, p. 16. the centrality of the human being addressed this subject: F. Torralba, 11 Ibid, p. 37. ‘El paradigma ecològico’, in P. Codi- 12 Cf. L. Boff, Experiencia religio- does not imply reducing every- nachs (ed.), Ecologia i ètica mundial sa y ecología (Centro Evangelio y Lib- thing else to a mere instrument by (PAM, Barcelona, 1996). eración, Madrid, 1992); La ecología which a weak anthropocentrism 3 Platone, Cratilo 385e-386a, Teeto como nuevo espacio de lo sagrado, 152a. in F. Mires et al., Ecología solidaria is established; and technocratic 4 H. Jonas, Il principio responsabil- (Trotta, Madrid, 1996); Ecologia: gri- ecosophies, according to which ità (Herder, Barcelona, 1995), p. 233. do della Terra, grido dei poveri (Trotta, strong anthropocentrism, which 5 Ibid., p. 40. Madrid, 1997).

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Round Table Pathways of Dialogue to Safeguard the Life of Man and the Creation

1. The Challenges of World Summits

H.E. Mr. Denis Fontes per of mine by pointing to certain imbued with the task of conjoin- de Souza Pinto basic postulates of internation- ing the general concerns of man- Extraordinary and al relations, such as the concepts kind with the special interests of Plenipotentiary Ambassador of anarchy and order. Anarchy, the victorious powers. Multilat- of Brazil to the Holy See which some theoreticians prefer eralism is a legitimate instrument to call simply a ‘lack of order’, of States once the situation arises derives from the inexistence of where even the most powerful of ood morning everyone, dear a government or authority that is them are not able to obtain secu- GAmbassador Mancini, the supranational and has a capacity rity and maintain their own pros- chairman of this round table, to impose its will. This does not perity by acting in an isolated way my colleagues the ambassadors mean, however, the dominance or unilaterally. Giordan, McCarthy and Zanga, of chaos. Nonetheless, an anar- During the subsequent decades, ladies and gentlemen, chic society, that is to say one in multilateralism broadened both First of all, I would like to ex- which the state actors coexist in because of the deepening of its in- press how much I feel honoured conditions of political equality, stitutionalisation and because of to have been invited to be one excludes neither order nor the ex- the diversity of the contents ad- of the speakers at this important istence of rules of conduct agreed dressed in its norms. International international conference which, upon by these actors and which organisations established them- like so many other events organ- assure minimal conditions of co- selves as mediators in the solv- ised by the Holy See, grants us existence. ing of questions of interest for an opportunity to express points On the other hand, whereas co- States on the condition that they of view and to explore the debate existence between legally equal received an explicit mandate from about some of the priority sub- sovereignties transforms conflict those States to do so. Their influ- jects to be found on the interna- into a fact that is inherent in the ential role in the establishment of tional agenda. As a background to anarchic structure of the interna- the international agenda, howev- my paper, I suggest that we bear tional system, there is no doubt er, has tended to reflect the domi- in mind the concept, formulated that common interests between nance of their members who had a by Pope Francis in the encycli- States exist and that these form greater capacity to formulate and cal Laudato Si’, that human be- the basis of the organisation of a spread their ideas and to propa- ings and the environment cannot system of rules that is shared eve- gate their interests. This asym- be separated and the wellbeing of ryone. metry of power has been one of both must be at the centre of the The 1920s, the 1930s and the the principal reasons why powers policies that are discussed at in- 1940s, with the rise of totalitarian have been able to block multilat- ternational forums. regimes in Europe and the great eral decision-making processes An analysis of the challenges of war that followed this develop- when they have had an interest in international conference requires, ment, were periods when the an- doing so and they have thus com- first of all, some observations on archy of the international system promised the efficiency and the multilateralism, both as regards was not limited to the mere ab- utility of multilateral institutions the crucial role that it plays in sence of hierarchy. It was, rather, themselves. solving conflicts in the most var- marked by massive competition It is important to emphasise, ied spheres of human relations and the wish to eliminate adver- in addition to this asymmetry of and the limitations that often frus- saries. From the ruins of the Sec- power, that international organ- trate it because of the impossibil- ond World War, however, mul- isations have been, obviously ity of assuring peaceful coexist- tilateralism emerged reinforced, enough, subject to the slowness ence between nations. taking substantial form in the that is inherent in large bureau- I would like to begin this pa- Charter of the United Nations and cratic structures. This makes

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them not suited to addressing Another reason behind the ina- tiation of bilateral, regional and questions that require urgency, a bility of international conferences global international agreements case of this being the current mi- to find and implement solutions to not reduced to the internal spheres gration crisis in Europe and the the problems that weigh upon hu- of States. situation of Christians who are manity is the weakening of global The Rio Conference of 1992 the victims of persecution in the governance. This development is strengthened multilateral regula- Middle East. the consequence of a failure to up- tion in this area in the wake of two The truth is, unfortunately, that date their structures to the changes events that had major political re- non-action is held to be a possible that have taken place on the inter- percussions: the publication in and acceptable result of a process national scene. Since the creation 1987 of the report of the Brundt- of multilateral negotiation, above of the United Nations and other land Commission, ‘The Future of all when the parties do not reach structured organisations to address us All’, which disseminated the a consensus on the need to act or the questions of seventy years concept of sustainable develop- on the most suitable way of act- ago, the number of States has in- ment, and the negotiations of the ing. However, whereas a situation creased fourfold, globalisation has years 1972-1992 of various con- like this may be considered to be grown in a dramatic way, and we ventions that brought environ- acceptable in the field of nego- have witnessed the proliferation mental questions to the fore, such tiations between States, it is not of various kinds of threats to na- as, amongst others, the conven- such for the populations that are tional security and world peace. tion on maritime law, the treaty involved. In these cases, the le- This has led the community of na- on the Antarctic, the convention gitimacy of procedure – which is tions to a situation that involved of Vienna for the protection of assured by the representativeness the interdependence of nations the ozone layer, and the protocol of States and by the rule of con- that are unequal. At the same time, of Montreal on substances that sensus – is specifically the factor the distribution of power amongst threaten the ozone layer. that contributes to the loss of le- the States of the world, which is From that moment onwards gitimacy of performance, which is very different to what obtained in it has been clear that natural re- the outcome of inaction and an in- the year 1945, has caused a lack of sources are a part of the world’s capacity to achieve a real solution adaptation as regards the division shared heritage which is at the dis- to problems. of power of the decision-making position of the whole of humanity I will open here a parenthesis organs of multilateral institutions and that its management does not in order to highlight the interest- and the division of power in the come within the range of canons ing paradox of legitimacy and real world. that govern other resources of a efficiency which can be easily In real terms, the multiple ac- economic kind whose protection observed in the behaviour of in- tors of international life are today and regulation require the role of ternational organisations and in interdependent in areas that are the state. However, we should be the way in which major summits very different from each other, for careful about the fallacious argu- are conducted. Whereas meet- example the financial market, in- ment on the basis of which these ings such as those of the G7 are fectious diseases, climate change, environmental goods, given their effective because of their relative terrorism, food production, and relevance for humanity, and de- informality and lack of bureauc- environmental resources. In the spite the fact that they belong to ratisation, international organisa- specific case of the environment, the sphere of national jurisdiction, tions, given that they exclude the the subject which most interests legitimate external interferences vast majority of the members of us here, I would like to set out a whose implementation should be the international community, lack short analysis of its emergence on assured by institutions of a uni- representativeness and thus legiti- the international agenda, its regu- versal range. This approach is macy as well. At the same time, lation in the field of multilateral contested by developing countries the same factors that bestow le- forms, and the growing awareness and here it is appropriate to refer gitimacy on the United Nations on the part of States of its transna- to paragraph 38 of the encyclical in addressing subjects of international character and its close rela- Laudato Si’”: ‘A delicate balance tional interest, reduce the capac- tionship with development. has to be maintained when speak- ity of the UN to implement col- The Stockholm Conference in ing about these places, for we lective decisions and make their 1972 had as one of its practical cannot overlook the huge global implementation obligatory. results the establishment of a se- economic interests which, under This scenario seems to demon- ries of principles – the Declara- the guise of protecting them, can strate that the ability to manage tion of Stockholm – and an Ac- undermine the sovereignty of in- some of the principal contempo- tion Plan that served as a basis for dividual nations. In fact, there are rary challenges in an efficient way the domestic policies and meas- “proposals to internationalize the may require that a step forward is ures of States to help the environ- Amazon, which only serve the taken beyond the original roots ment. Nonetheless, the decisions economic interests of transnation- of multilateralism, recognising that were adopted by the summit al corporations”. the need for greater agility, flex- of 1972 also had the merit of es- With respect to international ibility, adaptability and a capacity tablishing an axis of international regulation, despite the incorpora- to foresee events and act before- action for the conservation of the tion of norms about the environ- hand. environment through the nego- ment into the internal juridical

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systems of member States, in- status quo simply because this is national, regional and global lev- ternational conferences have not lucrative for them. els that aim at the promotion of managed to alter the approach of Given these conditions one wellbeing and prosperity. Without national or local administrations should pose the following ques- continuous reform at a structural to environmental questions which tion: how should we act to obtain and procedural level, deficits in are still seen as external questions concrete and long-lasting results terms of the performance and le- whose incorporation into medium marked by the principles of mul- gitimacy of international organi- or long-term planning still awaits tilateralism and international law? sations will tend to build up and a more incisive approach on the Some impasses of the contem- to generate a crisis of confidence part of governments. porary world makes us think that in the multilateral system. There is still a deficit at the lev- there may be a failure of multilat- For that matter, courage is el of the implementation of mul- eralism or at the least of a lack of needed to engage in a reform of tilateral agreements on the en- effectiveness in forums which still the United Nations that reflects vironment which is the result, in reflect previous configurations of the contemporary world scene part, of different interpretations power that have been superseded. which, indeed, is drastically dif- and applications of the rules by Let us take as an example the self- ferent from that of the Second the various actors. The depth of proclaimed ‘Islamic State’, a ter- World War. This reform is needed the changes recommended by the rorist organisation, which is within order to avoid a bureaucratisa- agreements depends on altera- out any legitimacy in the eyes of tion of structures that no longer tions in the relationships between the international community but meet their original intentions. States, and, above all, on an over- in relation to which the most pow- In addition, one should make coming of the asymmetries that erful nations of the world do not the observation that the intense prevail as regards rich and devel- manage to come to a consensus as multilateral activity of recent dec- oping countries. This differential to the right way in which it should ades has allowed subjects such as is reflected in the level of carry- be combated. those of the environment and hu- ing out of the obligations agreed Situations such as this, which man rights to permeate the con- upon, when the positive results constitute a grave threat to the se- temporary agenda however much are confined, as is often the case, curity of the world, point to the the globalised economy sees the to those countries which have the need for an urgent reform of the promotion of social equality and technical ad financial resources institutions that determine the sustainable development as anti- available to pursue them without processes and the practices fol- economic matters. In this context, altering the canons of consump- lowed by international conferenc- the role of the Catholic Church is tion in their own societies. es where subjects of international indispensable in emphasising the If we look backwards to the interest are discussed. This re- responsibilities of world leader- great conferences of the 1990s form, for that matter, was defend- ship as regards the wellbeing of – on the environment, human ed vehemently by the Holy Father man on the earth. Awareness on rights, population, social devel- in his address to the assembly of the part of the inhabitants of the opment, etc. – we see the exist- the United Nations. The differ- ‘common home’ of the existence ence of an abyss between what ences that exist as regards the re- of problems that concern eve- was approved on paper and what spective power of States prevents ryone and which cannot be left has been really achieved. In a there being a clear sense of par- to future generations draws us process of remorseless globalisa- ticipation by all members in the near to a solution because peri- tion, commitments undertaken at decisions that are adopted, and ods of major awareness are peri- a planetary level can become in- this in its turn makes it difficult to ods when it is possible to achieve nocuous because of the action of achieve a translation of multilat- the political will that is needed to those who want to maintain the eralism into concrete policies at overcome them.

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2. Health Problems in Urban Areas

H.E. Mr. Kenneth eas. From Manila, to Nairobi, to conditions including respiratory Francis Hackett Port au Prince, and in many oth- infections, asthma, lead poison- Extraordinary and er cities across the world, parts of ing, injuries, poor nutrition, and Plenipotentiary Ambassador slum areas are located immedi- mental disorders. Studies have of the United States of America ately next to posh neighborhoods. found the lack of affordable hous- to the Holy See Urban slums without clean water, ing “has been linked to inadequate sanitation, waste disposal, and nutrition, especially among chil- without safety pose serious health dren. Relatively expensive hous- ood morning your Eminenc- concerns. ing may force low-income tenants Ges, Excellencies, and distin- Today, just over half of the to use more of their resources to guished guests. world’s population lives in cities.2 obtain shelter, leaving less for oth- It is an honor to be here today In fact, the World Health Organ- er necessities such as food... Tem- for the 30th international confer- ization estimates that by 2030, 6 porary housing for homeless chil- ence of the Pontifical Council for out of every 10 people will be ur- dren often lacks cooking facilities, Health Care Workers. I want to ban residents – and by 2050, 7 out leading to poor nutrition.”8 thank His Excellency Msgr. Zyg- of 10 people will live in a city.3 Al Jazeera ran a program last munt Zimowski for inviting me to Studying the issue of urban March highlighting the fact that speak. health will become increasing- in New York City alone there are As His Excellency has said, this ly important as this population over 60,000 people in homeless conference topic was inspired by grows. While the local situations shelters and about 40% are chil- Pope Francis’ encyclical, Lauda- in cities across the world vary dren.9 to Si’, in which the Pope calls on in context, there are some com- We know malnutrition and un- us to consider our human fam- mon urban health and social chal- dernutrition negatively affect ily’s relationship with the envi- lenges: “overcrowding; air pollu- child development at every stage. ronment. He also challenges us tion; rising levels of risk factors Non-communicable diseases to think about how we can better like tobacco use, unhealthy diet, fuelled by unhealthy diets, physi- serve the “whole of Creation.” physical inactivity and the harm- cal inactivity, and harmful use of As we have already heard, there ful use of alcohol; road traffic in- tobacco and alcohol are a second are many challenges in today’s juries; inadequate infrastructure, major threat to the health of the world related to global health transport facilities and solid waste urban poor.10 Even with all of our medical ad- management systems, and insuffi- A Harvard Medical School pub- vances: cient access to health facilities in lication noted some of the barriers – millions die of non-communi- slum areas.”4 to good health are “limited access cable disease every year, The poor form a large part of to safe sidewalks, exercise facil- – millions of children under the the natural and migration growth ities, and grocery stores with af- age of 5 die of diarrheal disease in urban populations. More than fordable produce.”11 – almost 1 in 10 adults has dia- one billion people – one third All of which are true for the ur- betes, and of the world’s urban population ban poor, as many low-income – every day, about 800 women – live in overcrowded and life- urban residents live in neighbor- die due to complications of preg- threatening conditions in urban hoods that are without the fa- nancy and childbirth.1 slums and informal settlements.5 cilities or resources needed for These slums exacerbate the proper medical care or physical Pope Francis calls us to protect challenges of being poor as resi- activity; while some neighbor- the dignity of the human person dents face higher crime rates, un- hoods are simply too dangerous and especially focus on those who derperforming schools, and sub- for outdoor activities. are most disadvantaged as we standard housing options6 – all A third threat to urban health look toward solutions for these resulting in poor health outcomes. are accidents, injuries, road acci- problems. In my remarks today, The World Health Organization dents, violence and crime.12 I want to highlight some of the describes many cities as being Another challenge we face in struggles that the poor in urban confronted by what it calls a “tri- the United States is that incarcer- areas face. We know health issues ple threat”: infectious diseases; ation policies disproportionately often disproportionately affect non-communicable diseases; and affect urban communities, espe- this population. violence and crime.7 cially minority groups. A New In my career before becom- In urban areas, infectious dis- York Academy of Medicine pub- ing U.S. Ambassador to the Ho- eases are exacerbated by poor liv- lication on the impact of the cor- ly See, I witnessed first-hand and ing conditions. Substandard hous- rectional system on urban health worked to address some of these ing is a major public health issue found: In the United States, an Af- challenges in health in urban ar- associated with a range of health rican-American man has a great-

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er than 1 in 4 chance of going to transport, adequate incomes, ac- 3 “Why urban health matters”; page 12 http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2010/ prison in his lifetime, a Hispanic cess to goods and services, cred- media/whd2010background.pdf man has a 1 in 6 chance, and a it – in short, the attributes of full 4 “Why urban health matters”; page 10 white man has a 1 in 23 chance of citizenship.”14 http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2010/ media/whd2010background.pdf serving time. Several health con- The Holy Father often calls on 5 “Why urban health matters”; page 11 ditions, such as substance abuse us to remember and reach out to http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2010/ and mental illness, are overrep- the excluded, those on the periph- media/whd2010background.pdf 6 Addressing Urban Poverty in America resented in correctional systems. ery. Responding to the problem Must Remain a Priority; under concentrated Correctional systems also indi- of urban health and other global poverty https://www.americanprogress.org/ rectly impact health by influenc- health issues will require the “cul- issues/poverty/news/2013/06/05/65268/ addressing-urban-poverty-in-america-must- ing economic opportunities, po- ture of encounter” Pope Francis remain-a-priority/ litical participation, and family emphasizes – an encounter that 7 “Why urban health matters”; page 13 structure.13 shows compassion and mercy as http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2010/ media/whd2010background.pdf In the end, we must remem- well as activism toward social 8 Housing and Health: Time Again for ber that urban poverty and poor justice. Public Health Action; page 758-759 http:// health aren’t just economic is- We thank you, Msgr. Zimows- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC1447157/ sues. They are the result of social, ki, for the important work your 9 Aljazeera,”Fault Lines: NYC’s Home- political, and environmental fac- council is doing and for hosting lessness crisis has reached historic propor- tors, and addressing them will re- this conference to raise awareness tions” 27-03-2015 10 “Why urban health matters”; page 13 quire holistic approaches that take about important global health is- http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2010/ these into account. sues. It was my pleasure and an media/whd2010background.pdf An Interim Report by the Mil- honor to be a part of this invalu- 11 “Cities can learn lessons about diabetes from rural areas” http://www. lennium Development Goals able discussion. health.harvard.edu/blog/cities-can-learn- (MDG) Task Force poignantly un- lessons-about-diabetes-from-rural-ar- derlined: “Much of urban poverty eas-201306196405 is not because of distance from 12 “Why urban health matters”; page 13 Notes http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2010/ infrastructure and services but media/whd2010background.pdf from exclusion. They are exclud- 1 World Health Organization “10 facts on 13 “Jails, prisons, and the health of urban ed from the attributes of urban life the state of global health” http://www.who. populations: A review of the impact of the int/features/factfiles/global_burden/facts/ correctional system on community health”; that remain a monopoly of a priv- en/index5.html page 215 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ ileged minority – political voice, 2 “World’s population increasingly urban pmc/articles/PMC3456366/ secure good-quality housing, with more than half living in urban areas”; 14 Urban Poverty: An Urgent Pub- first paragaph https://www.un.org/develop- lic Health Issue; page 1. http://www.ncbi. safety and the rule of law, good ment/desa/en/news/population/world-ur- nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1891652/ education, health services, decent banization-prospects.html pdf/11524_2007_Article_9191.pdf

3. Transparency and Dialogue to Predict the Environmental Impact of Business Initiatives and Development Projects

H.E. Mr. Claude Giordan As you know, this subject ap- 1. Before sharing my reflections Extraordinary and pears in these terms (number 182 with you, I would like to clarify the Plenipotentiary Ambassador and thereafter) in the encycli- context. The initiatives and the proof the Principality of Monaco cal Laudato si’ of Pope Francis jects that are addressed in this pa- to the Holy See and more precisely amongst the per come from decisions taken by ‘Lines of Approach and Action’. companies (both large and small) This demonstrates the impor- or by States or public institutions. am very honoured to take the tance of this subject. This topic is These are always important deci- Ifloor at this assembly to speak placed amongst the principles that sions, otherwise their impact on about ‘Transparency and Dia- animate the encyclical and their the environment would be limit- logue to Predict the Environmen- practical application in the con- ed. For the purposes of simplicity, tal Impact of Business Initiatives temporary world. I will refer to them employing the and Development Projects’. phrase ‘investment decisions’.

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In both cases (companies or a ity has the task of authorising the al. We should stress that the ‘god State or public institution), those investment or project and organ- of power’ is as dangerous as the who decide expect a positive out- ising, according to laws or regu- ‘god of money’ and that in gen- come: an increase in the profits of lations, the juridical sphere in eral it kills more. the company or its growth (for ex- which this stage will develop, as- At times, there are darker rea- ample the creation of a new facto- suring respect for those laws and sons behind investment decisions ry, the development of a new pro- regulations and following the im- or which accompany them. In reduction process); and an increase plementation of the requirements ality, these decisions can also fos- in the infrastructure of the country that exist according to juridical ter mechanisms of corruption. in order to foster its development procedures. In every case the cynical conse- (for example the construction of a b. In this sphere, the need for quences of these forms of behav- damn or a motorway). independent scientific expertise is iour are evident. At first sight, the results that are fundamental inasmuch as knowl- An attempt is made to carry expected are different from one edge in the field of the protection out the project in the quickest and another: one is ‘private’ and in- of the environment is highly spe- ‘easiest’ way possible, and to dis- tended to enrich those who have cialised. card by every means (absence of taken the decision; the other is c. The participation of the lo- the right rules, defects in appli- ‘public’ and intended to improve cal populations is equally well ac- cation, corruption which can be the framework offered by a public cepted since they are the first to a goal or an obligation) the plan- institution to economic actors. be affected by the environmental ning stage of dialogue and trans- When, however, one is dealing deterioration that surrounds them parency. with their impact on the environ- which, for that matter, they know Given that people are not stu- ment, the investment decisions very well. pid, the information stage and the have to be subjected to the same subsequent debate run the risk of requirements. This is because in It is the symbiosis of these three bringing out well-founded pro- both cases a wrong decision can elements, none of which can be tests and thus of delaying and have dramatic consequences. neglected or omitted, that will modifying – indeed compromis- produce the best result. ing – the implementation of the 2. Transparency and dialogue investment decision. are principles that must be imple- 3. So where do the difficulties What, therefore, are the guar- mented through effective proce- that we perceive in the implemen- antees that should be adopted to dures so that they do not remain tation of the principles that are ap- implement this stage, to imple- just good resolutions or smoke parently accepted by everyone ac- ment it in effective conditions and screens. These principles must actually come from? thereby achieve the goal of a ‘rea- company every decision that has To return to the examples that sonable administration’ of that an impact on the environment, have been cited (the construction common possession – our envi- starting with the basic idea that is of a factory or important infra- ronment? in the minds of those who take the structures), these difficulties seem Certainly one could rely, first of decision, and for the whole of the to me to come, amongst other all, on those ‘natural’ mechanisms period of implementation. things, from: that increase the prudence of in- Given that prevention is better a. In addition to potential greed, vestors: than cure, I will concentrate my the concern of a company to max- 1. A company that is managed reflections on the implementation imise its benefits in the shortest normally assures its own pros- of a procedure prior to the author- time possible. We may think of perity in a lasting way, placing isation of an investment decision the poorest countries of the world: it within a prospect of long-term by the relevant authorities. social and political instability, like growth. This means that in a nor- Essentially, nobody doubts that the weakness of institutions, con- mal institutional context as well an impartial and in-depth proce- stitutes a stimulus for those who it envisages a regular increase in dure for a preventive assessment decide to obtain the greatest profits benefits and assures – where it of the effects of an investment de- it possible from their investment works – good relationships with cision on the environment is in- and in the shortest time possible the public authorities and the lo- dispensable. in order to minimise the risks or cal population. In addition, at Fostering a policy that satis- increase their profits. least in industrialised countries, fies in the long term the common b. The intention of a govern- a company is increasingly sensi- good of society – in this case the ment or a public administration tive to its own image (at a local protection of the environment – to engage in a prestige operation and international level). This im- for a long time has been a part that satisfies the megalomania of age would be darkened by dubi- of the teaching of the Church (at its leaders, from the wish to dom- ous or violent practices which can least since the time of St. Thomas inate their populations who are no longer be dissimulated even in Aquinas) and of political thought impressed by this kind of ‘gran- the poorest countries of the world (at last since Aristotle). deur’, or by the trust placed ex- – the brand would be endangered. I believe that the phases of this clusively in technical panning 2. With the exception of spe- stage are as follows: which is adjudged to be more ef- cial cases, a State or a public in- a. The relevant public author- fective because it is more ration- stitution must take the opinion

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of the citizen into account, un- tance of a public administration society but, rather, of assessing less it wants to risk an electoral (the term here is used in a broad and then locating an investment defeat (where elections are actu- sense, referring to policies and decision in the context of the pro- ally held) or a revolt whose sup- civil servants) which is of high tection of our environment and pression could have, even for an quality, independent and honest the populations that live in it. authoritarian regime, a high cost and which works within an insti- It should also be made clear both domestically and abroad. tutional framework that assures that the same need applies to oth- The rapid, local and interna- control over it by the citizens. If er fields, such as, for example, the tional circulation, of informa- this is implicit, it is superfluous to field off public health care. tion – through the mass media say that ‘countries without a state’ or the new social networks – has are countries where the popula- b. Education in citizenship changed many things. A crimi- tions are the most threatened. But and solidarity (without which nal action cannot be easily con- once again this need for honesty the education that I mentioned cealed. On the contrary: its dis- must always be verified, in indus- previously cannot be sufficient as semination can rapidly go ‘viral’ trialised countries as well. regards the goal that one wants and bring about in the mass me- 2. However, even in the pres- to achieve) dia and thus in public opinion as ence of ‘good laws’ which are From childhood one should well a sanction that is even more widely respected other guarantees spread the feeling that each one of rapid and painful than that meted are needed to ascertain their ap- us is responsible for what happens out by tribunals. plication and make transparency in society, which, indeed, is made and dialogue respected. I want to up of all of us, and that we must 4. However, it would be a mis- speak about a ‘social conscience’ thus act as free citizens, keen to take not to encourage trust in that is widespread and interested work for the common good, of these ‘natural mechanisms’. First in the common good of society. which protection of the environ- of all the contexts are not the This ‘conscience’ must be creat- ment forms a part. same everywhere. In less industri- ed and then maintained in order to This means defending both ‘the alised countries, control over pub- constitute ‘education’. freedom of the ancients’ – which lic opinion is easier, citizens are is participation in the administra- listened to much less, and those a. The education of managers tion of society – and the ‘freedom who ‘launch warning cries’ are and citizens in the protection of of the moderns’, which is the de- less protected. the environment fence of human rights against An investment decision, to a One is not dealing here only those powers or decisions that do certain extent, can also ignore the with ‘scientific’ education in the not respect them. ‘natural mechanisms’ that I have protection of the environment It also means supporting the cited. For that matter, it is in these which requires precise and up- idea that decisions taken freely countries that civil society is not to-date expertise which all citi- must not damage other citizens or strong enough to hide the organi- zens – even managers – cannot neglect their opinions. sations which can gain access to possess, not even in the most ad- Solidarity must therefore march the mass media and mobilise pub- vanced countries. One is dealing, hand in hand with freedom. As lic opinion. instead, with a more general ed- Thucydides said in the fourth cen- An economy based upon the ucation than the application of a tury BC: we are not ‘useless citi- search for profit, despite all the well understood principle of pay- zens’. advantages in terms of general ing attention. efficacy and progress, does not The encyclical Laudato si’ 5. It is certainly the case that guarantee that those who decide gives a reasonable and therefore when there are depressing re- refuse to seize – above all in the potentially effective definition alities the risk of becoming dis- poorest countries of the world of this: ‘If objective information couraged exists. But as a good – opportunities that are rapidly suggests that serious and irrevers- ‘Mediterranean’ I would like to transformed into temptations. It is ible damage may result, a pro- reconcile ‘the pessimism of in- therefore better to look for other ject should be halted or modified, telligence’ with the ‘optimism of guarantees. even in the absence of indisputa- will’. I would like to emphasise im- ble proof’ (n. 186). 1. First of all, expressing the mediately that the observations It is the possibility that such right principles is indispensable. that now follow are not confined damage will occur that should be It is not ingenuous, as might be to the less developed countries. taken into consideration in a pre- thought. The ideas and the infor- These guarantees seem to me to cise way by those people who mation that enter public debate be the following: possess the necessary scientific no longer exit from it, and today, 1. Good laws which envis- knowledge at the moment of the in the information society, this is age the implementation and the stage of transparency and dia- even less the case than in the past. functioning of the stage prior to logue. These experts thus have a This was the position of the Holy dialogue and transparency are major social responsibility. See at the Conference of Helsinki certainly indispensable. Actual re- This is not a matter of blocking of 1975, a conference that opened spect for them is even more indis- investment decisions and more up the road to the reunification of pensable. This means the impor- generally the useful advances of Europe which has gradually be-

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come our ‘common home’. The ters remains indispensable – or on ue of nobility and limited the pos- ingenuous people were those who a stratagem or brute force – which sible excesses off the monarch. despised the strength of correct must never prevail. Lastly, they Government by the many was the ideas and only relied upon the show to the citizens, ‘at the grass ‘nature’ of democracy and ‘virtue’ power of oppression. The Ho- roots’, that they have the right to was its principle – at the time of ly See spoke to very many peo- offer their own vision of invest- Montesquieu this meant attach- ple and not only to Catholics ment decisions: positive results ment to the public good. If its and Christians but to all men and are certainly expected in their principle is not alive, the regime women of good will. daily lives (greater prosperity of degenerates and changes its na- 2. Discouragement comes from companies which can create jobs ture, getting worse. the gap that we often observe be- in a liberal economy, or an im- Why should we not use these tween principles and their imple- provement in infrastructures and concepts to answer the question mentation, which, indeed, is often public services). But they also that the Holy Father places at the difficult. It is for this reason that want to belong to more long-term centre of Laudato si’? Let us re- the emphasis placed in the encyc- prospects based upon a search for member his words: ‘What kind lical on ‘small steps’, daily ac- the common good and assurances of world do we want to leave to tions, seems to me to be especial- that they and their children will those who come after us, to chil- ly realistic. Between the ‘dream’ have secure lives. dren who are now growing up?’ of ‘everything’ that generally The stage of transparency and (n. 160). produces the result of ‘nothing’, dialogue, when it is conducted What would be the ‘nature’ there is something that is at the well, rightly forms a part of those and the ‘principle’ of this socie- same time an achievement and a ‘small steps’ that increase the ‘so- ty which we have to construct in pathway – specifically these ‘lit- cial conscience’, involving citi- order to administer common pos- tle steps’. They have, first and zens and also allowing, where this sessions in a reasonable way? foremost, a value in themselves; is appropriate, an improvement in Given its nature, nothing they really improve the lives of investment decisions. could take the place of govern- people and are immediately vis- ment made up of the citizens as ible to their beneficiaries. They 6. I will move towards the end a whole, and under their control, comfort and give courage to of my paper by citing an idea of a according to the principle that all those people who fight for human who is seen as one of the fa- men have equal rights. man rights, demonstrating that if thers of political science – Mon- But we know that in a republic one wants, one can. After a cer- tesquieu. According to the termi- as well the right principles must tain fashion, the movement is val- nology of the epoch, Montesquieu be established and assured so that idated by its advance. Gradually, differentiated regimes according fundamental human rights are re- these small steps contribute to a to their ‘nature’ and their ‘prin- spected and the common good is change in mentality and reach a ciple. Thus tyranny had arbitrary assured in the best way possible. critical mass, changing the per- power as its ‘nature’ and its prin- These ‘principles’ could be reception of political action but not ciple was the fear in which citi- sponsibility, concern for the com- by reducing it to decisions taken zens lived. The ‘nature’ of mon- mon good and solidarity, which in ‘from above’ by an elite that bases archy was inequality and its definitive terms are at the centre its own power only on technical ‘principle’ was honour which, in of the stage of transparency and competence – which for that mat- his view, was the constituent val- dialogue.

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4. The Dialogue between Politics and Economics for Human Fullness

H.E. Mr. John Anthony imately 15% of annual global sav- That forum and associated forums Gerard McCarthy ings or 4% of GDP. Presently the in years to come will see a con- Extraordinary and longstanding promise of western tinuous interchange, most likely Plenipotentiary governments is to provide 0.7% to be very often irritable, between Ambassador of Australia of GDP in aid, but only approx- political vision and action and fi- to the Holy See imately one third of that amount nancial and economic factors. is in actual fact transferred in aid. This dialogue will be amongst Support for the SDGs therefore the most important ongoing in- hese brief remarks are a sim- requires developed countries to ternational exchanges in our time Tple and challenging reminder increase their aid allocations, in and hopefully will advance our to all those involved with interna- various forms, by vast amounts, world to greater human flourish- tional affairs, whether in govern- for the next decade and a half. ing, international peace and envi- ment, ecclesial or NGO roles, that The Addis Ababa conference in ronmental stability. All of us may all of us are about to participate July 2015 on financing the SDGs well contribute at various levels in a worldwide dialogue involv- has been criticised by economists to the SDG narrative as it evolves ing politics and economics which and NGOs as providing no addi- in the years leading to 2030. makes any theoretical discussion tional finance for the new SDGs. A The SDGs were adopted by of Aristotle’s Politics or Adam further group of economists have the UN General Assembly in the Smith’s World of Nations decid- estimated that foreign aid availa- same session that welcomed Pope edly academic. The context is ble to 2030 is USD 2.5 trillion for Francis to the United Nations. the UN Sustainable Development the fifteen years. They believe that The Pope made two significant Goals 2015 (SDGs), adopted on only by concentrating on a lim- references to the SDGs and to 25 September last and to which ited number of goals and targets, their purpose. He urged all inter- all 193 members of the UN ex- would this money be well spent. national bodies and nations to act pressed their consent. They argue that distributing the aid on the SDGs and not rest content These SDGs set out in 17 goals funds across all 169 targets equally “with a bureaucratic exercise of and 169 targets a magnificent vi- would not meet any of the goals, as drawing up long lists of good pro- sion of world development for the none would have essential priority. posals.” 3 The Pope also urged the next fifteen years to 20301 . As re- In the SDG declaration, the vari- UN and its member countries that cently as last Monday, the G20 ous goals and targets are described an objective of the SDGs is “to leaders’ communique in Antalya, as “integrated and indivisible.” enable these real men and women Turkey, stated: 2015 is a crucial The issue starts to resolve itself to escape from extreme poverty, year for sustainable development in this way: leaders and their ad- we must allow them to be digni- and we remain committed to en- visers, from both donor and de- fied agents of their own destiny.”4 suring our actions contribute to veloping countries, know or sus- It is an important post script for inclusive and sustainable growth, pect that their countries would not me to draw the attention of every- including in low income develop- be able to work on, or even evalu- one here to SDG 8.7 – the eradi- ing countries. The 2030 agenda, ate, 169 different targets over fif- cation of modern slavery and hu- including the Sustainable De- teen years. Each country’s leaders man trafficking and of all forced velopment Goals, and the Ad- will eventually choose what pri- labour. This has been an impor- dis Ababa action agenda, sets a ority will be given to which goals tant part of my work as Ambas- transformative, universal and am- and targets. sador to the Holy See. It is grat- bitious framework for global de- The drafters of the SDGs in part ifying that there is widespread velopment efforts. We are strongly seem to have anticipated these recognition of the central role of committed to implementing its out- choices. Built into the SDGs are Pope Francis and the Holy See in comes to ensure that no one is left a series of international forums having this fundamental clause behind in our efforts to eradicate for the discussion and monitor- included in the SDGs. poverty and build an inclusive and ing of key aspects of the goals sustainable future for all. 2 and their development. The peak The response of various eco- body is a major political forum Notes nomic commentators is to point of the UN Economic and Social 1 SDGs – Paragraphs 3 & 28: In contrast out certain economic facts and Council (ECOS), which will meet Paragraph 14. calculations. Meeting the SDGs at four-yearly intervals and which 2 G20 Leaders Communique – Paragraph would cost USD 2-3 trillion per will seek to manage the progress 19. 3 Pope Francis – Speech to the United year of public and private money of the SDGs through a large range Nations – 25th September 2015. over fifteen years. That is approx- of committees reporting to them. 4 Ibidem.

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5. Africa and Business: a Proposal for Development that Respects the Life of Man and the Environment

H.E. Mr. Antoine Zanga convulsions and by new threats to ten hold sway over considerations Extraordinary and security, Africa now has to face of an ecological character which Plenipotentiary Ambassador up to the dichotomy which op- are well known from the outset. of Cameroon poses business, the environment In addition, dependence on busi- to the Holy See and development. Before enter- ness and politics in Africa is at ing an approach involving pro- the origin of the proliferation of jects that respect human life and armed conflicts and, by extension, he paper that I will give today the environment, it is important to of the proliferation and the aliena- Tto this international confer- understand the phenomenon and tion of human rights. ence organised by the Pontifical its field of application in the con- Side by side with convention- Council for Health Care Work- tinent of Africa. al business, inappropriate flows ers is divided into the three fol- of business have evolved which lowing sections: a. understand- derive from the capacity of hu- ing the phenomenon of ‘business’ a. Understanding the man beings to transform into a and its component parts in Af- Phenomenon of ‘Business’ philosophical doctrine, or even rica: between an absolute search and its Component Parts in into a religious creed, economic for capital and an ongoing search Africa: Between an Absolute considerations which scorn hu- for profit; b. the impact of busi- Search for Capital and an man rights. This kind of business, ness on man and nature in Africa; Ongoing Search for Profit which works in the shadows, has and c. an approach of proposals an exponential capacity for muta- and some lines of thought to im- A better understanding of ‘busi- tion which make its identification prove and reconcile the world of ness’, an English term that refers and traceability a difficult and business with a form of develop- both to commercial activity and complex matter. ment that respects human beings to financial activity, is of use in However, even making clear and nature. establishing a logical typology; that this list is not a complete For decades, the development indeed its expressions at times re- one, one can discern the follow- of Africa has been an almost per- semble a sea snake – difficult to ing different categories: the busi- manent and invisible priority grasp and to localise. Thus in Af- ness of raw materials; the busi- question at national and interna- rica two types of business oppose ness of faith; the business of war; tional meetings and conferenc- each other: conventional business the business of xenophobia; the es. Onto socio-political domestic and illicit business. business of death; the business of endemic disorders connected at Conventional business is gov- fauna and flora; the drug business, times with the special features of erned by effective norms, by na- and so forth. the continent’s history, have been tional and international laws and In concrete terms, it is clear grafted crises linked to the ad- regulations, in the case of States, that Africa today is a place from vent of the new world economic and by large companies and mul- which things come from (threat- order whose creed is based upon tinational corporations. As a re- ened species, human trafficking, economic globalisation and its sult, traceability is possible and raw materials…) and a place to consequences: the internationali- involvement in the socio-eco- which things go (counterfeit med- sation of financial exchange and nomic development of the conti- ical products, toxic waste…), as flows, the establishment abroad nent has been demonstrated. This well as being a place where things of companies, and the globalisa- undoubtedly offers concrete op- are transited (cocaine, heroine…) tion of the economy. In order to portunities of work, to the extent and connected with the globalised catch up as regards delays at the that it attracts short-, medium- illegal flows of the criminal econ- level of development plans, anal- and long-term investments. How- omy. Far from diminishing with yses of various kinds have placed ever, one should also emphasise the economic expansion of the emphasis on the need for this con- that its impact on the environment continent, this business of illegal- tinent to become attached to the is certainly relevant given that it ity is at one and the same time al- international context of economic takes advantage of the application so a threat to governance and an openness and to stress the entre- of new technologies which are the obstacle to development. Concern preneurial world of ‘business’. outcome of the industrial and ag- for the environment is the last Already weakened by the bur- ricultural revolution. The objec- of the concerns of the parties in- den of its own past, by its internal tives of profitability and profit of- volved and therefore the overall

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impact of this kind of business on ing up of the land. This drying up rich countries [which] has reper- the deterioration of the environ- of the land in its turn provokes an cussions on the poorest areas of ment is rather significant, even increase in the concentration of the world, especially Africa’, and though it is not quantifiable. salt and sodium in the soil, that with environmental deterioration is to say it leads to the terrain be- caused by certain multinational coming saline. corporations in poor countries, b. The Impact of Business on All of this obstructs the growth etc. Man and Nature in Africa of plants and as a consequence An analysis of the phenomenon reduces the harvests and the proof the continent of Africa demon- In general, the threats that busi- ductivity of the agricultural sec- strates in the final analysis that at- ness poses to the environment and tor. At the same time, this pol- tention paid by the world of busi- to human rights in the continent lution is the cause of acid rain.2 ness to the environment is minimal of Africa can be direct or indirect Acid rain is formed when the sul- if not indeed irrelevant, and this in nature. The direct threats are as phur and nitrogen oxides are as- despite the existence of doctrines, follows: sociated with humidity in the air regulations and concrete activity – Global warming caused by to free sulphuric acid and nitric by States in this field. Africa needs the greenhouse effect, the result acid which are then transported development and can achieve it, of an increase in heat waves, a very far from their source, before amongst other pathways, through raising of sea levels because of a falling to the ground in rain. The that of business. thermic dilation of the oceans, an consequences for agriculture are, But how can Africa achieve this increase in rainfall in areas which therefore, enormous. Acid rain in its contemporary situation of already have a great deal and vice provokes a stratification of non- frailty? Hence the need to formu- versa, and a lack of rainfall in ar- uniform foliage; the leaves that late proposals to move out of this eas which already have a shortage grow are few in number and are negative situation, although still of rainfall. unable to achieve photosynthesis. respecting human rights and na- – The pollution and the thin- The root systems are also afflicted ture, which is a gift of God, using ning of the ozone layer1 which and these are ruined. As a result the approach of the ‘global ecol- automatically leads to an increase they not able to suck up nutrients ogy’ advocated by Laudato Si’. in exposure to ultraviolet rays be- and support the plants when there cause of the high concentration of are strong winds. chlorofluorocarbons in the atmos- As regards the effects of pol- c. An Approach of Proposals phere, provoking a large number lution on human health, one can and some Lines of Thought of problems such as illnesses of observe that exposure to chemi- to Improve and Reconcile the skin. cal contamination in foodstuffs, the World of Business with – The massive destruction of to domestic atmospheric pollu- a Form of Development that tropical forests and thus the dis- tion, to dangerous waste and to Respects Human Beings and appearance and the scarcity of ionising radiation, is the cause of Nature certain species, both animal and many illnesses in the world and in vegetable. This means a loss of particular in the continent of Af- For a decade, we have witnessed biodiversity and variety in the rica. Many of these illnesses can a massive flow of investments into world of living things. According emerge because of environmental the continent and this has been sus- to the specialists, human activity crime. tained by the fact that increasing- has brought about an extinction More than is the case in other ly, and in parallel with its cyclical rate of species that is ten times continents of the world, Africa problems and problems connected higher than the natural rate. endures to the full the violence with armed conflicts, Africa has – The deterioration of the arid of the impact of business on na- become a pole of economic attrac- zones which could increase the ture and on man. The continent tion of great importance.3 problems connected with hunger, of Africa thus feels that it is re- Over a period of ten years it has the spread of diseases, the risks of ferred to in the following state- achieved, against every forecast, flooding and the lack of water. ment of Pope Francis in the intro- a growth rate of 5.5%. But given – The proliferation of armed duction to his encyclical Laudato that this growth has not been ac- conflicts, with their corollary of Si’: ‘The ecological crisis is a dra- companied by adequate develop- displaced persons and refugees. matic consequence of unchecked ment, African countries have been The indirect threats are con- human activity’. The Holy Father setting in motion an increasing nected in particular with the ef- then declares that the commercial number of reforms for the world fects or the consequences of pol- imbalances between the coun- of business. They think that they lution for agriculture and human tries of the North of the world and will thereby find a vital and sus- health. Indeed, the pollution of those of the South of the world tainable balance between a more the atmosphere caused by the dis- have created an authentic ‘eco- efficient and fairer economy and charge of substances that come logical debt’ which is connected social equity and protection of from polluting economic activity with a disproportionate use of nat- the environment, integrating in a involve an evaporation of the wa- ural resources by some nations, transversal way the principle of ter contained in the pores of the with ‘warming caused by huge governance and democracy. They soil. This process leads to a dry- consumption on the part of some have underwritten directives for

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sustainable development4 which – An attempt should be made Notes allow development, man and na- to encourage a mutual-help ap- ture to be reconciled. It is here that proach to skills and knowledge in 1 The ozone layer is a thin layer of strat- ospheric gas in which the concentration of we must return to ‘endogenism’ order to end the experimental pol- ozone (03) is at its maximum, thereby pro- which is something that unites tra- icies which at times are imposed tecting the earth’s surface against the ultra- ditions, cultures and modernity. on the countries of Africa. violet rays of the sun. It is at an altitude of between twenty and thirty kilometres. It is Given the nature of the disas- – There should be a fostering of extremely fragile because of the low con- trous consequences of the mod- the establishment of mechanisms centration of ozone (03). el of economic development of for safety and transparency in the 2 The principal sources of acidity in the atmosphere are the growing quantities of the countries of the North of the African economic context in or- sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide world with its point of view of be- der to move out of the realm of (NO2) which are released into it through the ing, power and having, Africa be- the informal. burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal or natural gas. lieves that development must be – An effort should be made to 3 See Guy Gwet, 70 chronique de guerre seen as a long-term endogenous introduce a certain rationality économique, 7 ans de veille et d’intelligence and cumulative process, involv- in the practice of debates about (Books on Demand, Paris, 2015). 4 According to the Bruntland Report ing advances in productivity and economic business with Africa which was drawn up and published by the the reduction of inequalities, with because one is not dealing with international committee on the environ- an integration of human and envi- ending in a definitive way busi- ment and development of the UN in 1987, and had the title ‘Our Common Future’, sus- ronmental costs. It thus offers the ness relationships with Africa but, tainable development is a form of develop- following guidelines for action: rather, of doing business in a dif- ment that allows the meeting of the needs – The providers of funds should ferent way so that the rewards of of the current generation without compromising the capacity of future generations look with especial attention at productivity are obtained with- to meet their own needs. Its principles are projects that involve the mobilisa- out mortifying conditions of work the following : local, national and internation of renewable natural resourc- and nature as well. tional solidarity and solidarity towards future generations; responsibility, consistency es (water and air as energy sourc- – Development projects should in behaviour and conduct, openness to cul- es, land and vegetal and animal be financed that privilege an im- tural diversity and the fight against forms of biological resources for alimenta- provement in research into the en- discrimination; active participation of every individual in the commitment of every- tion, heating, clothes or housing). vironment, education in relation one ; and the application of the principle of – At the outset, a total control to the environment and the fight precaution. must be applied as regards the against poverty. application at a practical level of Consideration of, transparency the international rules and norms in relation to, and absolute respect that are in force. Special empha- for international rules as regards Bibliography sis must be laid when the process labour relations and human rights, Mouhamadou Moustapha Lo, ‘Crois- is implemented on transparency as well as protection of the envi- sance économique et protection de l’envi- of the juridical and political in- ronment, would avoid the three ronnement, le cas du CO2 au Sénégal’, mé- struments: a legislative and regu- ‘classic’ negative forms of behav- moire de master, Université Gaston Berger, Paris, 2008. latory approach, the allocation of iour that have been produced hith- Guy Gweth, 70 chroniques de guerre quotas, access permits and licenc- erto, namely: économique, 7 ans de veille et d’intelli- es for activity – in short regula- – ‘Free riding’: why make an gence stratégique (Books on Demand, Pa- ris, 2015). tion and collective actions at dif- effort if there is no acknowledge- Claire Rodier, Xénophobie du busi- ferent levels of decision-making, ment of the efforts that are made? ness, A quoi servent les contrôles migra- and in particular national but also – The ‘prisoner’s dilemma’: toires (La Découverte, Paris, 2012). Sophie Bessis, L’occident et les autres international ones. when the partners in a game do (La Découverte, Paris, 2003). – The development of a ration- not trust each other or do not Lester R. Brown, Eco-économie. Une al business of the common goods have enough information about autre croissance est possible, écologique et durable (Le Seuil, Paris, 2003). produced by nature, creating pro- the strategies of the other play- Niall Ferguson, Civilisation. L’Occi- ductive jobs, alleviating poverty ers, there is the risk that the de- dent et le reste du monde (Saint-Simon, Pa- and reducing inequalities. cisions that they take individually ris, 2014). Philippe Hugon, ‘Environnement et dé- – An effort should be made to are generally not optimal. veloppement économique, les enjeux posés develop and encourage an ap- – ‘Herd behaviour’: faced with par le développement durable’, in Cairn, proach to business with Africa an important problem, no player Revue internationale et stratégique, n. 60, 2005. that is human and takes its cultur- takes the initiative to solve that Encyclicals of the Supreme Pontiffs al and traditional dimensions into problem and seeks to go round the Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and account. obstacles. Francis.

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The Ethical and Social Responsibility of Companies Towards Integral Ecology

Prof. Stefano Zamagni ity which, while it has increasing protection, thereby steadily erod- Full Professor potentialities, has not yet managed ing those wages and those forms of Political Economy, to defeat some structural wounds of protection. High-income coun- the University of Bologna, that humiliate the dignity of the tries, therefore, can no longer save Italy person. He has called people’s at- themselves on their own – people tention above all to not acting on are threatened by relocation and the erroneous belief that the ‘mag- the erosion of the national produc- nificent progressive outcomes’ of tive fabric. This is why working markets and finance can, almost for the last and acting to promote 1. Introduction in a deterministic way, lead us to their dignity is today no longer on- a better future. The economy does ly a heroic choice of missionaries History does not proceed in a not have an auto-pilot and the the- but also a need and an urgent need linear fashion and what we are sis of Adam Smith of an invisible for everyone to defend the rights experiencing at the present time hand that reconciles the sum of in- and the forms of protection that is truly a ‘special’ historical peri- dividual egoisms into a common have been achieved. Globalisation od: 23% of world output since the good is valid in conditions that has the positive aspect of making birth of Christ until today has been are so implausible that in practi- us increasingly interdependent, produced since the year 2000, and cal terms they have never existed. bringing together in a single des- 28% of the ‘history of humanity’ Competition itself, which does in- tiny the rich, the emergent and the (if by history is meant the total deed bring benefits to consumers, poor of the planet. number of years lived by all the is not in the least the natural out- Well, it is against this back- human beings who have been on come of the interaction of mar- ground that the observations that the earth), again from the birth of ket forces – it is achievable only follow in this paper should be read Christ to today, has been lived over thanks to going against the trend – observations relating to the task the last hundred years. In almost of an oligarchical concentration of that the ‘business community’ in all the OECD countries, the period the relevant authorities. particular has to perform if one 1970-2011 witnessed a spectacu- The working of the econom- wants to move towards an authen- lar increase in life expectancy of ic system is characterised by im- tic integral ecology. The guide that about ten years. Humanity appears mense potentialities and by rebal- I choose for this is Laudato si’, a to be on a launch pad, but the risk ancing mechanisms that are not, magisterial document of an epoch- that all of this is transformed into however, automatic. They function al importance that is destined to a Tower of Babel that is about to if they are activated by the right construct, for many years into the collapse is high if we do not man- intentions and by suitable levels of future, an inescapable bridge of age to accompany the irreversibil- spiritual, physical, human and so- reference for the ecological ques- ity of technological progress with cial ‘capital’. The great global his- tion, for both believers and non- an advance in our capacity to man- torical contradiction has been the believers. age these advances within a con- dizzy growth in prosperity in some text of social and environmental areas of the world but not in others sustainability and integral human which, indeed, have remained cut 2. The Human Environment development. out and on the margins. Globalisa- and the Natural Environment The phenomenon of globalisation has generated this contradic- are Deteriorating Together tion and that of the fourth indus- tion and transformed the misery of trial revolution make a new im- the last into a threat to the prosper- The great theme of this encycli- plementation of principles and ity of the first. With the transfor- cal is well rendered by its sub-title: values, in the light of a res novae mation of markets from being lo- ‘On Care for the Common Home’. of a world that is in rapid transfor- cal to being global, and with the Integral ecology is the key point mation, both urgent and necessary. possibility of transferring, almost of the whole text. Specifically be- It is this throng of innovations and instantaneously, ‘weightless com- cause the world is an ecosystem, transformations that leads us to modities’ (sounds, data, images, one cannot act on one of its parts reflect so as to draw up and ex- money) from one place to anoth- without the other parts feeling the plore the insights and founding er on the planet, the billion people consequences of this. This is the principles that Pope Francis con- who live beneath the threshold of meaning of the statement: ‘We are densed into his exhortation Evan- extreme poverty in reality com- faced not with two separate crises, gelii Gaudium and his encyclical pete, with their low labour costs, one environmental and the other Laudato si’. The Supreme Pontiff with the workers of countries social, but rather with one complex has sought to shake consciences in that are used to living with much crisis which is both social and en- the face of the scandal of a human- higher wages and better forms of vironmental’ (LS, n. 139). Ecology

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and the economy have the same ion, that measures for the protec- efits. In more general terms, the root –oikos – which refers to the tion of the environment could be approach that strongly emerg- common home inhabited both by swept aside by the WTO (World es from this encyclical is to keep man and by nature. But ever since Trade Organisation), thereby fos- the biosphere and the noosphere the anthropocene – a term coined tering a race to the bottom in the in harmony. This last term was by the Nobel prize winner for ge- fixing of environmental standards. coined in the 1920s by Theilhard ology Paul Crutzen in the 1960s – This derives from the lack of an de Chardin to refer to all human began, that is to say starting with integral vision which prevents an beings who have the capacity to the first industrial revolution of understanding of the fact that de- plan their actions and have a con- the second part of the eighteenth terioration of the environment and scious and common project. As L. century, the society of human be- society are two sides of the same Galleni (Verso la Noosfera, San ings, with growing intensity, has coin. A few years ago the philoso- Paolo, 2016, ‘Towards the Noo- ‘ejected’ nature. The resources of pher S. Pastel wrote: ‘the interna- sphere’) suggests the noosphere, nature have been savagely impov- tional economic system seems to as a shared entity with its own end erished without any concern for be unable to address together the must interact with the biosphere in their capacity to reproduce or the problem of poverty and the prob- a relationship of symbiosis. negative external outcomes that lem of the protection of the envi- At a practical level, the thesis productive activity generates. Of ronment. Treating the ecological discussed here has consequences a grave character, in this process ills of the earth separately from that are of very great importance. of exploitation, was the responsi- the problems connected with situ- One may consider the question of bility of ‘official’ economic sci- ations of debt, commercial imbal- climatic inequality: 70 million inence which never wanted – un- ances, and inequalities in income habitants of the planet emit 100 less until very recently – to take levels and in patterns of consump- tons of climate-changing gas pro into account in its growth models tion, is like seeking to treat a heart capita every year, the same as is the ecological dimension. In ad- disease without combating the generated by over three billion dition, the economic mainstream obesity of the patient and his cho- poorer people who are more af- made an array of unaware scholars lesterol-rich diet’. flicted than the former by climat- and ingenuous managers believe As early as the 1980s the ic disorder. The question is not that the goal of the maximising of founder of social ecology Mur- only whether climate inequality short-term profit was the neces- ray Bookchin argued that the idea is unfair – and it certainly is – but sary pre-condition to be set to en- of being able to dominate nature whether the laws of the biosphere sure constant progress. This was arose from man’s domination of will allow us to maintain it, tak- the legitimation – not certainly the man. He was at that time sharply ing into account the fact that these justification – of the vice of short- attacked both by the environmen- laws are not negotiable. For example, CF termism which was also one of the talists of the epoch, who were not 4 – ‘teflon gas’ – is almost factors that unleashed the financial very interested in social questions, indestructible and has a climate- crisis of the years 2007-2008. and by social movements which changing power that is thousands

Well, it is in order to straighten saw the environment as a ‘second- of times greater than CO2. This is out this ‘bent wood’ of moderni- ary contradiction’. With Lauda- why Eric Neumayer, an economist ty that Pope Francis has spoken to si’, social ecology moves from of the London School of Econom- strong words of denunciation of the periphery to the centre of the ics, proposed computing the his- the dominant model of growth. discourse about ecology: ‘a true torical emissions accumulated in Three principal theses are argued ecological approach always be- about two centuries as a base for and defended in his encyclical comes a social approach…so as to assigning the quotas of responsi- Laudato si’. The first is that the hear both the cry of the earth and bility for the climatic meltdown fight against poverty and sustain- the cry of the poor’ (LS, n. 49). and the burdens for remedying it. able development constitute two There is thus a net rejection of a It may be taken for granted that sides of the same coin. ‘The hu- façade-style ecology that is ex- poor countries are in favour of man environment and the natural pressed both in false trust in par- this proposal which, on the other environment deteriorate together’ tial solutions and environmental hand, is opposed by rich coun- (LS, n. 48). This is to say that all technology and in a misanthropic tries. It is for this reason that Mar- those interventions based upon approach typical of deep ecology co Morosini, of the ‘Climate Pol- the assumption of the separation which argues ‘At the other ex- icy Group’, has suggested calling of the fight against poverty from treme are those who view men and our epoch the plutocene (the era of the conservation of the environ- women and all their interventions wealth) rather than the anthropo- ment are destined to fail. In truth, as no more than a threat, jeopard- cene (cf. Avvenire, 12 Dec. 2015). if poor countries fear collusive izing the global ecosystem’ (LS, n. L. Chancel and T. Piketty (Car- agreements between environmen- 60). The Pope rejects at one and bon and Inequality: from Kyoto talists and the neo-protectionists the same time catastrophism – an to Paris, 2015) are on the same of advanced countries that are di- increase of more than two degrees wavelength when they seek to ex- rected towards limiting their ac- in the world’s temperature means plore the crisis of the environment cess to markets – and this is the a disaster! – and the reduction of and the increase in economic ine- eco-imperialist concern – the en- the question of the environment qualities. The suggestion is to con- vironmentalists of the North, for to a utilitarian pragmatism of an sider emissions that are consumed their part, fear, in opposite fash- analysis based on costs and ben- as well as those that are produced.

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This is to say that there is not much ‘tragedy of commons’. If the com- ple. One many think – to clarify sense in assessing a nation on the mon good is global, then the in- this idea – of what happens when an individual travels down a pub- basis of the production of CO2 by jurious consequences will also be its companies if one does not al- global. In 1990 the Intergovern- lic road: the advantage that he or so see how much the consumption mental Panel on Climate Change she obtains by this use is not con- and the lifestyle of its inhabitants demonstrated that greenhouse gas nected with that of other individ- affects the environment. For ex- emissions would lead to an in- uals who also go down the same ample, the Chinese emit today the crease in average temperatures, road. A common good, on the other hand, is a rival in consumption equivalent of six tons of CO2 every with all the consequences that we year per person (this is in line with know about. And yet very few but it cannot be excluded. And it is the world average), against 13 tons countries acted, unilaterally, to re- for this reason that the advantage for Europeans and over 22 tons for duce their emissions. Similarly, that each person obtains from its the North Americans. The prob- the European Union proposed the use cannot be separated from the lem, therefore, is that Western- introduction of a carbon tax in Eu- advantages that other people also ers continue to see themselves as rope but after observing that this obtain from it. This means that the having an individual right to pol- example was not imitated by oth- benefit that an individual obtains lute twice as much as the average er countries (and in particular the from a common good is materi- world level. United States of America) it pro- alised together with that of other ceeded to change its programme. people not against them (as hap- It is specifically the characteristics pens with a private good) and not 3. The Ecosystem as a Global of a common good that make uni- even separately from them (as Common Good lateralism, as a strategy of envi- happens with a public good) ronmental policy, fallacious. What, then, goes against a com- The second thesis is that the Furthermore, even if one man- mon good? On the one hand, the ecosystem is a global common aged to achieve through negotia- behaviour of a free rider, the per- good (LS, nn. 23 and 174). There- tions some form of international son who lives off the backs of oth- fore, the ecosystem is neither a agreement or treaty, the problem ers, for example evading or elud- private good nor a public good. that one would still have to solve ing contributions to its funding. It follows from this that neither is that of its implementation. One On the other hand, the approach of the traditional instruments of the may consider the case of the Mon- an extreme altruist which involves market, from privatisation to the treal Protocol to regulate the use nullifying or denying himself or application of ‘emission permits’ of chemical products (CFC) which herself in order to bring gain to (LS, n. 171), which are associated destroy ozone, and such was the another person. Both these forms with the name of the Nobel prize case with the already mentioned of behaviour do not help to solve winner for economics R. Coase, Kyoto Protocol on climate change. the problem of common goods, al- nor initiatives involving public- Why did the first work and pro- beit for different reasons. In con- ity carried out by national govern- duce the wished-for effects where- trary fashion, what fosters a com- ments, actually respond to what is as the second has in large measure mon good? Reciprocal behaviour, needed. As is known, commons failed, as has already been point- that is to say behaviour that ac- are subject to the devastating con- ed out? The answer is immediate. cepts the principle of reciprocity: sequences that are typical of situa- The Montreal Protocol contains a ‘I give you or do something for tions known as ‘the prisoner’s di- mechanism of incentives which is you so that you can in your turn lemma’: each person waits to see of such a character as to foster par- give or do something, in propor- the moves of the other in order to ticipation and adherence by all the tion to your capacities, to a third take an advantage from it, with the countries that signed it, a mecha- party, or, if this is appropriate, to result that nobody moves first. The nism whereby it is in the interest me’. Instead, the principle of the fact is that whereas a global gov- of each country to follow the rules exchange of equivalents says: ‘I ernance of the economy does not that were agreed upon. Such, how- give you or do something for you yet exist we have to deal with a ever, is not the case with the Kyo- on the condition that you return to single climate system, with a sin- to Protocol whose draftsmen were me something of equivalent val- gle layer of ozone, and so forth. not able to find some mechanism ue’. Reciprocity, therefore, is giv- One is dealing, evidently, with that was able to ensure its self-ening without losing and receiving global common goods: the use of forcement. without taking away. these by one country does not di- But what is the specific nature Now, where as regards the minish the amount available to of a common good? A practical sphere of private goods resort to other countries; on the other hand, way of answering this question is the principle of the exchange of no country can be excluded from to compare a common good with equivalents is everything that is using them. (Clearly the emissions a public good. This last is a good needed for the purpose in hand, of polluting substances constitute that is neither an excludable nor and where to solve the problem of global common ‘ills’). a rival good for consumption. It public goods one can think of ap- Now, as economic theory has is a good, therefore, the access to plying in some form the principle known for some time, common which is assured to everyone, but of redistribution through the path- goods give rise to a troubling con- whose ability to be used by an in- way of command, instead when sequence which is typical of all dividual is independent of such an one comes to deal with common situations, and this is known as the ability on the part of other peo- goods a bringing into play of the

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principle of reciprocity is indis- she is only an instrument for my (One remembers the famous state- pensable. It is specifically here purpose; the second is that which ment of the great Greek statesman that we encounter the crux of the looks at the power of ‘between’ of the fifth century BC, Pericles, problem: contemporary culture and which in economics is cap- recounted by Thucydides, accord- has so forgotten about the category tured by the notion of common ing to which democracy cannot of reciprocity that it does not even goods. No contemporary thinker function well if most of the peo- suspect that an effective manage- has understood such distinctions ple who make up the polis behave ment of common goods can ever better than H. Arendt. In her Vi- as idiotés). It is evident that with be of a private kind or even of a ta activa (‘The Active Life’) one individuals of this character soon- public kind – it is only of a com- reads that public means ‘what is in er or later the critical threshold is munal kind, that is to say it is the light’, what one sees and about crossed and this sets in motion an founded on the principle of reci- which one can talk and discuss. individual perception of the immi- procity. ‘Everything that appears in public nence of a tragedy, but this takes After reaching the apex of the can be seen and heard by every- place when by now it is too late. greatest detachment from the com- one’. Private, in contrary fashion, It thus happens that paradoxically munity, the individual man of mo- is what is withdrawn from sight. the race to grasp resources increas- dernity has ended up by becoming Common, instead, ‘is the world es even more because resources its first victim. Obsessively en- itself inasmuch as it is common are becoming increasingly scarce. veloped in his own subjectivity – to everyone and distinct from the analytically represented through a space that each one of us occupies map of preferences – the man con- privately’ (p. 39). 4. Economic Biodiversity templated by the dominant theory In truth, what is at the basis of is projected towards an autonomy this ‘tragedy of commons’? The The third thesis concerns the and a separateness that are total- thesis of defence of Hardian – as vigorous defence made by Pope ly not hospitable (Cacciari, 1997) is known – is that if humanity does Francis of economic biodiversity. and forgets about every relation- not limit individual liberty it will A market economy which wants ship with the other that is not for run the risk of ending up like the to move towards an integral ecol- the pursuit of his own objective inhabitants of Easter Island be- ogy cannot depart from a plurality functioning. The acute perception cause it ends up by destroying of company forms, and in a spe- of this individualistic isolation has those common goods on which cial way it cannot but give space helped to ignite a strong nostalgia the lives of the members of the hu- to those companies which produce for reciprocity, as is confirmed to man species depend. In truth, the value – and thus wealth – by an- us by a growing number of empiri- short-sighted and exclusively self- choring their behaviour in princi- cal and experimental surveys (cf. interested pursuit of goals by indi- ples such as mutuality and inter- Sacco, Vanin, Zamagni, 2005). viduals costs them – without them generational solidarity. To deny or The idea that society is a system of wanting this exclusively – to cut impede this would mean to forgo, needs to be met when it is wedded off the branch on which they are in an irresponsible way, integral to the narrative of a self-referen- sitting. Hardin’s example of com- human development, which – and tial individual, whose fundamental mon and free pasture where each this should never be forgotten – in- problem is to maximise some ob- herdsman brings his cattle to graze volves three dimensions (the ma- jective function with ties, produc- communicates the idea very well. terial, that is to say growth; the es destructive outcomes. One may The rational choice – that is to say socio-relational; and the spiritu- think of the various traps of social the choice which maximises the al) which are related to each other poverty caused by the well-known interests of the individual – is to in a multiplying and not additive phenomena of positional competi- steadily increase one by one the way, this last, instead, is what the tion or the ecological question. number of cattle that pasture be- economic mainstream has been Only if one takes a step back cause in this way the individual preaching. from possessive individualism – advantage has grown, let us say, As A. Sen suggests, there is a without, however, repudiating its by x, whereas the consequent de- grave confusion at the level of acquisitions, first and foremost crease in grass is only a fraction of thought between ‘omissions of the that of the withdrawal of the indi- x given that the damage is distrib- market’ (what the market does not vidual from domination by com- uted amongst all (n-1) the herds- do but could do) and form of ‘mal- munalism – will economic science men who use the pasture. functioning of the market’ (what be able to open itself to the rela- In large measure, it is as though the market does but does badly). tional and thereby increase both the users of the pasture did not It is from this confusion that a po- its explanatory and its normative consider, at the moment of acting, litical practice has derived which value. One should note – to re- the reduction of the common good rather than fostering ‘market in- move any misunderstandings here (the grass on the pasture) that their cluding’ initiatives (those that – that the relational that I invoke choice involved. The critical char- seek to include, as a tendency, is not that of exchange but that of acter of the common good is not everyone on the productive pro- reciprocity: the first has an instru- considered because each one sees cess), engages in ‘market-exclud- mental nature – every time that I only his individual interest; being’ initiatives, those initiatives begin a relationship of exchange cause each of them, in other terms, that do not allow the inclusion it is obvious that I enter into a re- is an idiotés, that is to say, liter- of ‘surplus people’, those people lationship with someone, but he or ally, ‘one who sees only himself’. who are expelled because they are

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irrelevant and who are dealt with companies in order to draw from statutes of international financial only through welfare-state style them a teaching for the future. organisations, thereby overcom- measures. It is when peering into This means that the filter of se- ing the ‘Washington Consensus’ the current scenario carefully that lection must certainly be present that was created in the 1980s after Pope Francis suggests the adop- but it should not be too thin, and the experience of what happened tion of an ecological outlook that this specifically to allow any so- in Latin America. This, in the fi- is able to relate to all the dimen- lution that goes beyond a certain nal analysis, requires the writing sions of value and is thus able to threshold of efficiency to survive. of rules that express the idea that see the risk of ending up crushed The global market, therefore, must efficiency is not only generated by that fatal circuit that combines become a place in which local va- by private property and free com- an increase in efficiency (power) rieties can be improved, which merce but also by policies such as due to techno-science with the means having to reject a determin- competition, transparency, poli- limitless expansion of subjectivity istic outlook according to which cies for the transfer of technology, (the will to power). This is why we there is only one way of operating and so forth. The application by have to retrieve the idea of limita- on the global market. the International Monetary Fund tion and this is why technical argu- It should not be forgotten that and the World Bank of this partial, ments are no longer a secure guide globalisation inevitably levels unilateral and distorted vision of for a model of integral human de- downwards all the institutional va- things has, as an unfortunate con- velopment. Indeed, it should be rieties that exist in each country. sequence, excessive debt and na- borne in mind that it is the union There is nothing surprising about tional financial repression. of power with the will to power this because the rules of free trade It should be remembered that that generates the hubris that leads clash with cultural variety and see in a financially repressed econo- to collapse. institutional differences (for ex- my inflationary pressure places a So what should be done? There ample the various models of wel- wedge between national depos- is a variety of ways of address- fare, systems of instruction, vi- its and interest rates on loans with ing our current challenges. There sion of the family, the importance the result that national companies is the way that we could call the to be given to distributive justice, are artificially induced to request ‘fundamentalism of laissez-faire’ and so forth…) as a serious obsta- loans from abroad and domestic which argues in favour of a plan cle to their propagation. This is savers are invited to deposit their of technological transformation the reason why it is essential to be funds abroad. guided by self-regulating systems, vigilant in order to assure that the with the abdication of politics and global market does not constitute a d) The Bretton Woods institu- above all with the loss of the possi- serious threat to economic democ- tions, the United Nations Devel- bility of collective action. It is not racy. opment Programme and other in- difficult to see the risks of author- ternational agencies should be itarianism derived from a demo- b) The application of the prin- encouraged by the organisations cratic deficit which are inherent in ciple of subsidiarity at a transna- of civil society to include in their this kind of an approach. tional level. This requires that the parameters of development indi- A second way is the neo-stat- organisations of civil society be cators of the distribution of hu- ist approach which postulates a recognised and not authorised by man wealth as well as indicators strong demand for regulation at states. These organisations should that quantify respect for local spe- the level of national governments. have a function that is more im- cificities. These indicators must be The idea is to revive – albeit par- portant than mere advocacy or de- adequately taken into considera- tially renewed and rationalised – nunciation; they should perform tion both when international clas- areas of public intervention in the a fully legitimate role in monitor- sifications are drawn up and when economy and social spheres. But ing the activities of multinational plans for action and assistance are it is clear that this would not on- companies and international insti- drafted. ly produce undesired effects but tutions. Pressure must be applied in or- could also lead to disastrous con- What does this mean in prac- der to obtain acceptance of the sequences in the case of countries tice? The organisations of civil so- idea that development must be in transition. Indeed, the imple- ciety should perform public roles fair, democratic and sustainable. mentation of new free-market pol- and public functions. In particu- It is the lack of institutions (and icies could, in contemporary con- lar, these organisations must ap- not of bureaucracies!) at a global ditions, damage the already low ply pressure to the most impor- level that makes very many prob- levels of prosperity that exist in tant countries in order to reach lems of our time difficult to solve, developing countries. the signing of an agreement that is in particular the problem of the en- The strategy favoured by the so- able to contain drastically the ad- vironment. Whereas markets have cial doctrine of the Church rests on vantages that come from a sudden become more globalised, the trans- five columns. withdrawal of capital from devel- national institutional framework is oping countries. still that of the post-war world. It a) Economic calculation is com- may be objected: are there not per- patible with the diversity of forms c) National States, and in par- haps enough international treaties, of behaviour and typologies of ticular those that belong to the Big or enough contracts at a national institutions. It is thus necessary Eight, must find an agreement to level, to regulate the relations be- to defend the weakest kinds of modify the constitutions and the tween individuals? The analogy is

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dangerously off the mark because years ago with the creation of the WEO, this agency should strive, the contracts signed within a coun- World Trade Organisation (WTO). on the one hand, to make the rules try can be applied by the state of In truth, it is the deficit of institu- of free trade and those for the pro- that country but a transnational au- tions at a global level that makes tection of the environment com- thority does not exist that is able the problems of this epoch of ours patible with each other, and, on to make treaties between States re- unable to be solved, the first of the other, make them respected by spected. which is the problem of the envi- all the parties involved. Second, a ronment. Whereas markets have WEO should intervene, with back- e) Lastly, a rich fabric of non- been globalising, the transnation- up roles, in all cases – and today utilitarian experiences must be al institutional framework is today these are ever more frequent – created in order to base mod- still that of the post-Second World where price signals do not man- els of consumption on it and in War period. But the negotiators age to anticipate irreversible en- more general terms lifestyles that of Bretton woods could not even vironmental losses. As we know, are able to allow the rooting of a have imagined what would later thresholds of environmental dete- culture of reciprocity must be en- become the ecological question. It rioration exist of such a kind that gendered. In order to be credible, may be said: are the international – up to a certain point – economic values must be practised and not treaties not perhaps sufficient in activity does not block the regen- only expressed. This renders fun- the same way as contracts with a erating functions of the environ- damentally important the fact that country sufficient to regulate rela- ment. However, once they have those who agree to undertake the tions between subjects? The anal- been crossed, irreversible changes journey towards a transnational ogy is dangerously inaccurate be- can take place due to the fact that civil society must be committed to cause contracts signed within a the level of economic activity goes creating organisations whose mo- country can be made effective in beyond the assimilative capacity dus operandi revolves around the practical terms by the state of that of the ecosystem. In situations of principle of reciprocity. country but there is no transna- this kind, market mechanisms be- tional country that is able to make come blocked and hence there is a treaties between States effective in need for them to be replaced by an 5. From the ‘Factum’ practical terms. In other terms, in- ad hoc agency. to the ‘Faciendum’ ternational agreements on the en- Lastly, a WEO can only take vironment are not binding. very seriously indeed the ques- Chapter V of Laudatio Si’ is di- This is why a WEO is necessary. tion of eco-refugees, that is to say rected towards suggesting ‘Lines One cannot go on much longer the question of global warming as of Approach and Action’. This with a situation in which while the a factor that produces new migra- constitutes an innovation of no lit- market in its multiple expressions tory flows. According to the UN- tle moment. The fact is that Pope has become global, the system of HCR, by the year 2050 the world Francis does not confine himself governance has remained basi- could have to manage a forced mi- to the factum (what man does) – cally national and at the most in- gration of 200 to 250 million peo- he also wants to push as far as the ternational. There are today about ple who leave lands affected by faciendum (what man is able to two hundred ‘multilateral environ- drought or which are completely do). In Genesis we read that man mental agreements’ (MEA) in the submerged by water or devastated is called to ‘cultivate and stew- world. Notable examples are the by deforestation and warming. Be- ard the creation’ (Gen 2:15). To already mentioned Montreal Pro- tween 1997 and 2020, in sub-Sa- cultivate means that man has to tocol; the Convention on Biolog- haran Africa alone, the estimates take the initiative; he cannot have ical Diversity; the Convention on are that there will be about 60 mil- a passive stance in relation to nat- the International Trade on Endan- lion forced migrants, that is to say ural rhythms. On the other hand, gered Species; the Convention of people who although they want to to steward means to care for and Basle on the International Move- remain where they are cannot do not to exploit; it means, that is to ment of Toxic Waste; the Kyoto so. This is a tragic consequence say, to welcome. The strategy wel- Protocol; and so forth. Well, there of land grabbing. However nei- comed by the Pope is that of the is nobody who sees in the absence ther the Convention on Climate transformation of the structures of of a WEO how these agreements Change nor the Kyoto Protocol power that exist today. Therefore, could ever be implemented: it is envisage measures to help and/or neither the path of ‘revolution’ nor sufficient for one country not to protect those who in ever greater the path of mere reformism appear ratify an agreement that has been numbers will be afflicted by the to the Pope to be strategies up to signed to empty it of its regulato- effects of climate change. Still to- the challenges that are now under- ry function. Furthermore, what is day, people who are migrants be- way, even though for different rea- worse is that in current conditions, cause of environmental reasons do sons. The space available to me al- individual national States have an not belong to any of the categories lows only three suggestions about interest in creating ‘pollution ha- envisaged by the international ju- the approach that Pope Francis vens’ to acquire positions of com- ridical framework. If, therefore, shows that he wants to privilege. petitive advantage in international one does not want to continue with The first concerns the urgent trade. the current short-sighted policy of need to create a World Environ- There are three priority tasks the militarisation of borders – in ment Organisation (WEO) along that such an organisation should the United States of America the the lines of what took place some perform. First, interacting with the budget for the control of borders

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has risen from 200 million Ameri- being of shareholders in a hierar- a tunnel between New York cost- can dollars in the year 1993 to to- chical way above that of the other ing hundreds of millions of dollars day’s 1.8 billion dollars (yet the stakeholders. Banks that maximise to reduce by three milliseconds the number of illegal immigrants has profits in the presence of distorted trading times of certain operators doubled, rising from 5/6 million incentives will find it increasingly who, through the laying of a cable, to 12 million) – the creation of a remunerative to channel resourc- obtain an advantage in terms of in- WEO with adequate powers and es towards activities that involve formation that injures others. The resources is indispensable. speculative trading or towards disasters produced by this finance The second suggestion to which those with margins of return that are before the eyes of everybody I referred above is that directed are greater than activity that in- The destabilising effects of fi- towards the transformation of fi- volves the provision of credit. nancial capitalism – which starting nance. Finance is an instrument It has never before been so clear in the 1980s replaced industrial with formidable potentialities for as it has been in the case of the capitalism – can be easily deduced a correct working of economic development of finance over the from the following data. In the systems. Good finance allows an last decades that the markets, and year 1980 the financial assets of all aggregation of savings in order to above all where returns to scale the banks of the world were equal use them in an efficient way and are growing, do not in the least to the GDP (gross domestic prod- allocate them to their most remu- tend spontaneously to competi- uct) of the world: about 27 trillion nerative uses; it transfers in space tion: they tend, rather, to oligop- American dollars. In the year 2007 and time the value of activities: it oly. In truth, the gradual weaken- – on the eve of the great financial achieves mechanisms of insurance ing of rules and forms of control crisis – their financial assets had that reduce exposure to risks; and (such as the separation between a become equal to four times world it allows an encounter between merchant bank and a commercial GDP (20 trillion as against 60 tril- who has economic resources but bank) have steadily led to the crea- lion American dollars). Today, this not productive ideas and who, vice tion of an oligopoly of banking in- ratio is usually of the order of five versa, has productive ideas but termediaries that are too large to to one. During the same period of not economic resources. Without fail and too complex to be regulat- time, in 51 countries taken into this encounter, the creation of the ed. The sleeping of regulators has consideration, earnings from work economic value of a community thus led to a serious problem of the in relation to GDP declined on would remain at its potential state. balance of powers for democracy average by nine points in Europe Unfortunately, the finance that itself. The report of Corporate Eu- and the United States of America; we are dealing with today has rope of 20141 highlighted the im- by ten points in Asia; and by thir- largely escaped our control. Finan- balance in the power relations be- teen points in Latin America. The cial intermediaries often finance tween financial lobbies and those points lost by work went to finan- only those who already have mon- of civil society and NGOs: finance cial income. In the light of these ey (that is to say who have real spends on lobbying activity thirty and other data of this kind it is not guarantees equal to or greater than times more than any other indus- difficult to understand where we the sum of the loan that is request- trial pressure group (according to should locate the origins of the deed). The great majority of the in- prudential estimates 123 million grading phenomenon of ‘surplus struments of derivatives that have euros a year with about 1,700 lob- people’, of those people whom been created, potentially to obtain byists at the centre of the Europe- Pope Francis calls ‘thrown away benefits at the level of insurance, an Union). The ratio between the people’. As the French economist are instead bought and sold in very representation of financial lobbies Gaël Giraud has suggested (La short periods of time for specula- and the representation of NGOs or transizione ecologica, EMI, 2015, tive reasons with the opposite trade unions in consultancy groups ‘The Ecological Transition’), to- and paradoxical result of putting is 95 to 0 in the stakeholder group day it would be technically possi- at risk the survival of institutions of the ECB and 62 to 0 in the De ble to place finance at the service that have them in their portfolios. Larosière Group on financial super- of an ecological transition. How- The asymmetric incentive systems vision in the European Union. ever, you have to want this! This of managers and traders (sharing This dominant position of fi- is something that does not hap- in profits with bonuses and stock nance in terms not only of pow- pen because the banks refuse to options and no penalisation in the er to apply pressure but also of create liquidity for ecological in- case of losses) are constructed in ease of access to information, to vestments not because they are not such a way as to push them to take knowledge, and to technology, able to do this but because such on excessive risks that make the has enabled the managers of the investments are not remunera- organisations in which they work great financial oligopolies to ob- tive in the short term. On the oth- structurally fragile and in dan- tain enormous earnings to the dis- er hand, the central banks do not ger bankruptcy. A further element advantage of all the other stake- intervene as they could because working for dangerous instabil- holders. A confirmation of how all they have other macro-econom- ity is provided by the orientation of this produces a distortion in the ic priorities. In conditions of this of these organisations towards the use of resources is the recent aban- kind, we should not be amazed at maximising of profits (which is donment of infrastructure projects the end of the civilisation of Easter something that is different from which would have allowed a better Island, which has been wonderful- pursing a licit and reasonable mobility of means of transport and ly described by the anthropologist profit) because it places the well- people, and the recent creation of Jared Diamond. The inhabitants of

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that island cut down all the trees of the society of consumption. al boycotts and so forth are initia- on the island, the only renewable The first is that well rendered by tives that should be supported and source, in order to obtain short- the aphorism ‘consume more, pay encouraged – because they consti- term advantages. less’ which is typical of a low-cost tute the indispensable premiss for society. The French philosopher the affirmation of a new society of Gilles Lipovetsky employs the consumers which is very different 6. The Civil Responsibility of phrase ‘turbo consumer’ to char- from the neo-consumerist society. Companies and Consumers acterise this version: a low-cost One should observe that still to- society works to lower the costs of day in teaching, as well as in the I would now like to talk about production in order to reduce retail practice of so-called strategic mar- a third suggestion for action. It re- prices and thus increase the inten- keting, the orientation towards fers to notions of responsibility sity of consumption (the volume the acquisitive dimension of con- both of citizens who are consum- of consumption related to units of sumption is prevalent. It is easy to ers and of companies. I will begin time). It is not difficult to grasp the intuit the reasons for this. I would with the first. schizoid negative tendency of this like to comment on one of these In our epoch, we are experienc- model of consumption because reasons in particular – the short- ing a transition from a society of to reduce costs one has to act on age of culture. It is my opinion producers (that is to say a socie- wage levels and welfare services. that the majority of our fellow-cit- ty of consumer goods) to a soci- Hence the pragmatic contradiction izens do not know anything about ety of consumers. The first is a so- at the origin today of the worry- these subjects. The problem is not ciety in which the consumer is a ing situations of social deviancy so much one of information as of means to an end, for example the because each one of us is, at one education. We still do not have accumulation of capital, profit, and the same time, a worker and a available to us, except with rare power or other things. The society consumer. As a worker, one has an exceptions, educational projects of consumers, on the other hand, interest in obtaining increases in that are directed towards a con- is a society in which consumption one’s remuneration; as a consumer sumption that is responsible in a becomes the end and production one seeks to pay increasingly less civil sense. Something, however, is the means. Industrial society, for the goods that one demands. is moving in that direction. If to- which we left behind us a few dec- And these two things cannot co- day people are beginning to talk ades ago, is a society of producers exist together. about ‘societing’ in the place of in which production calls the tune. The other version of the socie- the by now obsolete ‘marketing’, In the middle of the nineteenth ty of consumers has as its slogan and above all else if today the no- century, the great English econ- ‘consume less and be happy’. We tion of ‘personalisation’ is spread- omist and philosopher J.S. Mill know, in fact, that activity involving (to denote an approach where coined the phrase ‘sovereignty of ing consumption is defined by two the consumers are the ‘co-produc- the consumer’ to point out that one dimensions: one is acquisitive and ers’ of the goods and services that day not so far ahead in the future the other is expressive. The first they use), all of this is taking place the market economy would have – which human beings share with because over the last twenty years reached the point where the free animals – is what leads us to meet very many forms of active citizen- and informed choices of consum- fundamental needs. By the expres- ship have grown stronger. ers would have indicated – in fact sive dimension of consumption, It is self-evident that the change imposed on – producers not only on the other hand, a person tends in lifestyles to which Pope Fran- forms of production but also the to achieve and express his or her cis refers to on a number of occa- kinds of goods to be privileged. own identity outwardly: identity sions in his encyclical postulates, However, one had to await Au- relating to gender, culture and re- in order for to be achieved, the gust 1962 to register a true turning ligion. It is the need for recogni- world of companies understand- point in this field. When speaking tion that leads us in this direction, ing that the time has come to go to the American Congress, the then a need that in certain circumstanc- beyond the social responsibility of President of the United States of es can be even stronger than a bio- a company. An array of theoreti- America, J.F. Kennedy, launched logical need. Why – we might ask cal and empirical research informs in an official way the consumerist ourselves – do we need to be rec- us that contemporary society con- movement: the consumer was not ognised? To be happy – this was siders it no longer sufficient – al- to be thought of as a passive cus- the answer that Aristotle already beit continuing to see this as nec- tomer but as a citizen, that is to say had the acumen to offer many essary – for a company to confine an individual who uses his or her years ago. Happiness, understood itself to making profits in any way purchasing power to send ‘mes- as the flourishing of a human be- in order to achieve its own social sages’ both to politics and to coming, requires that we are recog- legitimation. Except for rare ex- panies – messages that are the pre- nised by other people and at the ceptions, nobody is any longer cipitate of the value judgements same time that we ourselves rec- ready to believe in the well-known and specific cultural matrices that ognise other people. Well, activity statement of Milton Friedman ac- characterise a community. involving consumption is one of cording to which the only social Today we find that we have to the most important ways by which responsibility of a company is to choose between two versions of the recognition is achieved. This is maximise profits, albeit respecting model of the society of consumers, why voting with one’s wallet, the familiar obligations of the law. which by now has taken the place campaigns of civil protest, ration- We know, in fact, that the chain

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of economic value and the chain serve that contrary to what is usu- process of all resources, above all of social value do not always pro- ally thought Adam Smith himself else labour, assuring respect for duce in step with one another and was very aware of this point). fundamental human rights and the when this does take place it is al- When this takes place – and the reduction of social inequalities. ways the first that prevails over the crisis of the years 2007-8 is only Well, a company that is responsible second. the gravest of very many episodes in a civil sense is a company that The phrase ‘SRC’ (‘socially re- of ‘market failure’ – is it perhaps works with the resources available sponsible company’) arose in the sufficient to lay emphasis on the to it accelerate the shift from an United States of America within level of personal ethics, that is to extractive institutional system to the business world itself with the say on the principle according to one which is of an inclusive kind. aim of assuring the sustainability which if all those who work in a This means that it is no longer suf- of the fundamental structure of the company, beginning with the ad- ficient, as instead is the case with market economy – the company. ministrators and the managers, the notion of social responsibility, In an essay of 1953 entitled ‘Social ‘behave well’, the results will be for a company to be ready to link Responsibility of Businessmen’, good? The answer is decidedly in the achievement of its objective to Howard B. Bowen wrote that ‘the the negative because the company meeting conditions such as taking social responsibility of business- itself, and not only the stakehold- account of the needs and the iden- men lies in the obligation to pur- ers, as an economic institution, is tity of all the classes of stakehold- sue those policies and adopt those a moral entity that has its own re- ers. What the notion of civil re- lines of action that are desirable in sponsibility. A socially responsi- sponsibility further implies is that relation to the goals and the values ble company certainly has impor- a company, which by now in the of our society’. This idea of Bow- tant goals as regards growth and season of globalisation where the en (and of other people) is an idea advance. But these are no longer national context of governance is of social responsible companies enough. Already today, and this being eroded has become a ‘politi- that still lacked an ethical founda- will be increasingly the case in the cal’ actor, should take part in the tion. One had to wait a quarter of near future, a company is asked not creation of a new lex mercatoria. century before the ethical dimen- only to produce wealth in a social- (One should notice that the ancient sion, in the form of ‘business eth- ly acceptable way but also to con- lex mercatoria of the fifteenth cen- ics’, managed to enter the discus- tribute, together with the state and tury was drawn up through the de- sion about the social responsibility the agents of organised civil soci- cisive contribution of merchants of companies. ety, to redesigning the economic- themselves – the businessmen of What fostered the steady aban- institutional system inherited from today). donment of the thesis – seen by the recent past. Indeed, one is no We are on the eve of a new en- many people as a sort of dogma of longer dealing with being satisfied trepreneurial season character- faith – according to which ‘good with a company respecting the ised both by a rejection of a mod- ethics is good business’, that is to rules of the game ‘given’ by oth- el based upon exploitation (of say that what is good for a busi- ers. One may think of the rules of nature and of man) in favour of ness is good for ethics? The reali- the labour market, of the banking a model centred on the logic of sation that in a significant number system, of the structure of the fis- reciprocity and by an attempt to of situations – over the last decade cal system, of the characteristics of give a meaning to the activities the news has provided much infor- the model of welfare, and so forth. of a company, which cannot be mation on this – the invisible hand What is further asked for is that a reduced to thinking of itself as a of Adam Smith ends up by feeling company, specifically because it is mere ‘money-making machine’. ( cramp and this impedes it from a player and an influential member D. Hevesi – not Pope Francis! – carrying out its function to the full. of the club of the market, agrees wrote in The New York Times of As K. Basu wrote in his book Ol- to continue to rewrite those rules 5/9/2008: ‘I am saddened and of- tre la mano invisibile (2013) (‘Be- that may have become obsolete or fended by the idea that companies yond the Invisible Hand’), that this not able to support an integral hu- exist to enrich their owners…This famous principle, like a coin, has man development. This is the core is the least important of the tasks two sides. One, theorised by Adam of the notion of a company that is that they perform; they are much Smith himself, is the good side; responsible in a civil sense. more honourable and more impor- the other, masterfully evoked by F. D. Acemoglu and J. Robinson tant than that’). In truth, we find Kafka in The Trial, is the bad side (2012) suitably made a distinction increasingly widespread amongst which, indeed, produces perverse between extractive and inclusive illuminated businessmen the idea effects. The allegory of Kafka is a economic institutions. The first in- that holds that profit cannot be the lucid description of how posses- volves those rules of the game that sole objective of a company and sive individualism, in the absence foster the transformation of added above all else that there cannot be of an appropriate institutional sys- value that is created by productive a trade-off between profit and civil tem, that is to say of specific rules activity into parasitic income and engagement. (In Italy the creation relating to the economic game, can allow the multiple forms of fiscal of the juridical entity of the ‘ben- lead to injurious outcomes. In situ- elusion and corrupting practices. efit company has been very recent. ations of this kind, it is the invis- The second, in opposite fashion, It was introduced in 2015 into our ible hand of Franz Kafka that pre- are those institutions that tend to law on the model of the American vails over the invisible hand of facilitate the inclusion of the pro- ‘benefit corporation’). This is be- Adam Smith. (I would like to ob- ductive process in the productive cause ‘how’ profit is generated is

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equally important as ‘how much’ – St. Francis of Assisi. The key to tendency is to extend them to the profit is generated. Everybody can understanding Francis is his faith world of nature in order to assure see how the idea of shared value, in the virtue of humility, not sim- respect for the myriads of species which by now has been accepted ple individual humility but the hu- of the planet, in order to achieve by everyone, at least at the level mility of man as a species. Francis ethics that are extended to every of words, necessarily postulates attempts to depose man from his form of life, and a limitation of the companies that are responsible in role as the monarch of the creation use of natural resources combined a civil sense and go beyond the and to install the democracy of all with support for effective alterna- instrumental vision of a social re- the creatures of God. The deeply tive technologies and a fair dis- sponsible company. religious, but also heretical, feel- tribution of wealth. Religions can We are dealing, therefore, with ing of the spiritual autonomy of lead to a broader recognition of thinking anew in a generative way all the creatures expressed by the human responsibility in the conti- about the role of a businessman in first Franciscans can point the di- nuity of life on our planet and help the new economic context. This is rection out to us’ (Science, 1967). to renew the energies of hope to a role which has come to be con- Many centuries later another Fran- ensure that this work of transfor- figured following the phenomena cis took up this witness. Referring mation is completed. of globalisation and the fourth in- to Teilhard de Chardin, Laudato The message of hope that ema- dustrial revolution. It is by now ac- si’ affirms that the aim of the jour- nates from Laudato si’ is that the cepted that economic action today ney of the universe is the fullness certainties that are offered to us by cannot be reductively conceived in of God: all creatures advance, to- technical-scientific progress are terms of everything that is of value gether with us and though us, to- not enough. Indeed, this progress in increasing production, hoping wards this shared goal. has increased, and will continue, that this can be enough to assure Religious traditions have al- to increase our capacity to find social coexistence. Rather, it must ways embraced a broad range of the means suited to reaching goals aim at life in common. As Aristot- interpretative positions. Rabbis, of every kind. But if the problem le well understood, life in common Christian theologians and imams of means emerges much more fa- is something that is very different in the West and the Middle East; vourably today than was once the from mere community, which al- Hindu teachers, Buddhist monks case, it is not certain that this takes so involves grazing animals. Here, and Confucian scholars in the place in relation to the problem of in fact, each animal eats for itself East: all of them have committed ends as well. This is a problem that and tries, if it manages, to take themselves to the interpretation of can be formulated in the follow- food from other animals. In hu- their respective traditions over the ing way: ‘what is it good for me man society, instead, the good of course of time. The project of an to want?’ and not ‘what must I do each member can be achieved on- alliance between religion and ecol- to obtain what I want?’ The man ly through the work of all the oth- ogy directly concerns the current of today is afflicted by the need to ers. And above all else, the good of process of discernment and ex- choose the ends and not only the each member cannot be enjoyed if egesis, and aims at a constructive means. Hence the need for a new it is not enjoyed by others. This is stage where the scholars of vari- hope: faced with strengthening of the great challenge of civilisation ous religions can indicate which the chain of means, contemporary that humanistic management must are the current or potential sources man does not seem to find any oth- know how to meet by giving itself of ecological awareness and ac- er way than that of allowing him- a massive dose of courage and in- tion in the context of the various self to serve them or to rebel. Such telligence. traditions. The common values was not the case when the chain of that the majority of the religions means was less powerful. It is un- of the world support in relation to derstandable that the hope of those 7. To Conclude the natural world can be summa- who do not have is directed to- rised as veneration, respect, mod- wards having: this is the old hope. The historian Lynn White ob- eration, redistribution, responsi- To continue to believe this today served as early as fifty years ago bility and renewability. Although would be an error. If it is true that that our attitudes to nature con- as regards these principles there abandoning research into means sciously or unconsciously are con- are variations at the level of in- would be foolish, even truer is ditioned by religious visions of the terpretation, both within each re- knowing that new hope should be world: ‘What people do as regards ligion and between different reli- directed to ends. To have hopes, their ecology depends upon what gions, one can say that all of them today, means precisely this: not they think about themselves in are moving towards an increas- seeing ourselves either as a mere relation to what surrounds them. ingly expanded understanding of result of processes that escape our Human ecology is profoundly their own cosmological orienta- control nor as a self-sufficient re- conditioned by or beliefs about tions and their own ethical com- ality that is without the need for ourselves and our destiny – that is mitments; towards an ecology that relations with the other. to say by religion’. includes anew in all of its whole- White ended his essay with the ness all the aspects of the question. following words: ‘Perhaps we Although these were previously Note should meditate on the greatest understood first of all in relation 1 http://corporateeurope.org/sites/default/ figure in Christianity after Christ to other human beings, today the files/attachments/financial_lobby_report.pdf.

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The Diplomatic Contribution of the Holy See to the Negotiations about the Environment

H.E. Msgr. Paul that are able to respond in an ad- From this point of view, for Richard Gallagher equate way to the challenges of some time the Holy See has been Secretary for Relations adaptation to – and the mitigation committed to offering its own with States, of – climate change. There is no contribution to this process, and the Holy See lack of divergences between the from two directions: States about how to make this sig- 1. On the one hand, through a nal clear and effective. Amongst direct contribution to the nego- n a few days’ time, in Paris, the the principal questions around tiations that are underway by the Itwenty-first session of the Con- which these divergences revolve, Delegation of the Holy See dur- ference of States Parties to the we may observe the following: ing the various meetings of the United Nations Framework Con- the level of what is aimed at by working group of the convention vention on Climate Change, bet- the commitments undertaken by which was entrusted with negoti- ter known as COP-21, will begin the States; the forms and periods ating the agreement to be adopted its deliberations. Its principal ob- of time involved in the controls in Paris. jective is to adopt an agreement dealing with the implementation 2. On the other hand, with both that will involve all the countries of these commitments; the crite- various and differentiated activi- of the world in order to re-estab- ria to be adopted in achieving a ties involving thought and exami- lish a balance between the global differentiation between the States nation of the Holy See in this field emissions of gas that contribute to themselves; and the funding and and through the encouragement the greenhouse effect and the abil- the transfer of technologies. Ob- by the Holy See of institutions ity of the earth to absorb them. viously enough, one is dealing of the Catholic Church to make The principal goal of this pro- here with elements that are essen- their contributions to the field in- cess is not, in fact, to solve the tial to an effective implementa- volved. An interesting example problem of climate change but, tion of the new hoped-for agree- in this sphere is the appeal of the rather, to attenuate its effects. A ment. negotiating parties of the COP- large part of the scientific com- However, it is advisable to re- 21 that was signed by the inter- munity agrees that average global member that the phenomenon of national meetings of the bishops’ temperatures have increased com- climate change involves aspects conferences on 26 October 2015. pared to their pre-industrial levels that are not only scientific, envi- Today I would like to dwell because of the greater emission of ronmental or socio-economic in upon the first aspect, namely the gas, which has a greenhouse ef- character but also, and above all diplomatic contribution of the fect, generated by man-centred else, ones that are ethical-moral Holy See to the negotiations of activities. The temperature of the in nature. The implementation of the COP-21. This contribution world will increase further inde- normative or structural elements can be summarised under three pendently of what is decided at and market forces alone, especial- headings: 1) anchoring the agree- the COP-21. The hope is that the ly if they are without an adequate ment in a clear ethical direction; decisions that are taken in Paris ethical direction, are not suffi- 2) promoting the achievement of will limit this increase. cient to solve the interdependent three objectives which are linked It should be remembered that crises of global warming and pov- to each other, namely attenuat- the UN convention on the cli- erty. The fundamental problem ing the impact of climate change, mate is concerned with a long- of global warming is indissolu- countering poverty and making term process which one could say bly linked to the search not only the dignity of human beings flour- began in the year 1992 with the for development with a low car- ish; 3) keeping our eyes fixed on adoption of the above-mentioned bon content but also, and perhaps the future. juridical text. From this point of above all else, for authentic inte- It is clear that Laudato si’ view, Paris is neither the point of gral human development. In this (LS) offered a large number of arrival of this process nor a point sense, climate change becomes a points of reference and points for of departure for a new stage of de- question of justice, of respect, and thought and reflection in order velopment. of dignity; and requires a strength- to address and manage in an ad- In reality, the COP-21 consti- ening of that deep and far-sighted equate way these three points dur- tutes an important stage for pro- rearrangement of models of de- ing the preparatory work leading viding an important signal that velopment and lifestyles in order up to the COP-21. will direct investments over the to correct its numerous dysfunc- Let us begin with the first next years towards a strengthen- tions and distortions, as Caritas in point: anchoring the agreement in ing of technologies and capacities veritate (n. 32) itself pointed out. a clear ethical direction. We here

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enter the area of the ethical finali- are still central to the contempo- with especial attention being paid ties and principles that must direct rary energy system, it should be to the identification of incentives, this agreement and of why this is acknowledged that there is an in- the elimination of subsidies and so important. There is an aware- creasing development of the tech- the avoidance of speculation (LS, ness, as the Holy Father said in nology that is needed to achieve n. 171). his message to the COP-20 of Li- an economy with a low carbon It is here that the human inven- ma which preceded in December use. Furthermore, the costs of ac- tiveness that is able to make hu- 2014 the COP-21, that the process cess to this technology are gradu- man dignity flourish must be at involved ‘will have an impact on ally decreasing; 2) we are witness- work. It is certainly the case that all of humanity, particularly the ing the very interesting dynamic the new agreement cannot enter poorest and future generations. of new policies at a national and into detail as regards these above- Moreover, it is a serious ethical regional level in this context; 3) mentioned programmes and ac- and moral responsibility…The there is an increasing awareness tivities, but it should be formulat- consequences of environmental of the numerous and diverse oped in such a way as to inspire their changes, which are already dra- portunities that this process offers correct and effective implementa- matically felt in many countries, at an economic and entrepreneur- tion. In this area, and this consti- especially insular states of the Pa- ial level, and also at the level of tutes one of the central parts of cific, remind us of the gravity of local authorities – in the context the implementation of the future neglect and inaction. The time to of cities – and of national authori- agreement, developed countries find global solutions is running ties. These aspects highlight how should ‘set a good example’ and out. We can find appropriate solu- the transition towards an econ- take the initiative (LS, n. 172) in tions only is we act together and omy with a low carbon content limiting in an important way the in agreement’. now appears to be inevitable. The consumption of non-renewable During the preparatory work most ‘polluting’ industries, which energy and above all in promoting leading up to the COP-21, the Ho- are implementing strategies for cooperation to achieve the devel- ly See acted so that certain basic their own reorganisation, are al- opment and the transfer of tech- concepts, which achieved a cer- so aware of this. The dynamic of nologies that are appropriate for tain consensus, were recognised this transition will also depend up- policies of adaptation and mitiga- and agreed upon. These were: the on how much the States commit tion, above all as regards the most ethical imperative to act in a con- themselves to strengthening the vulnerable groups. This is also a text of global solidarity; collective framework of investment to fos- way of helping to solve that ‘eco- but differentiated responsibility in ter this transition, and the COP-21 logical debt’ that was denounced the face of the urgent character of will be able to make, as I have al- by Laudato si’, ‘particularly be- a situation that requires the broad- ready observed, a significant con- tween the global north and south, est possible cooperation in order tribution on this front. connected to commercial imbal- to achieve a common plan (LS, n. From this point of view, the ances with effects on the environ- 164); and an appeal to special at- Holy See, taking Laudato si’ as ment, and the disproportionate tention being paid to future gen- a point of reference as well, has use of natural resources by cer- erations (LS, nn. 159-161) and on a number of occasions stressed tain countries over long periods the most vulnerable groups of the the importance of fostering this of time’ (LS, n. 51). present generation. transition through activities that In calling for cooperation be- This last aspect enables us to promote renewable energy (LS, tween countries it is advisable to move to the second point: promot- nn. 26 and 164), energy efficien- remember that this should be an- ing the achievement of three ob- cy (LS, nn. 26, 164 and 180), im- chored in a farsighted long-term jectives which are connected with proved methods of energy con- approach that is able to maintain each other: the impact of climate servation (LS, nn. 26 and 180), a our eyes fixed on the future. And change but at the same time coun- suitable management of transport thus we come to the third point. tering poverty and making the dig- (LS, nn. 26 and 180), of waste An agreement with a broad tem- nity of human being flourish (LS, and of forests (LS, n. 164), and poral perspective such as that n. 172). The strong links that exist a circular model of the economy which we have been considering between the fight against climate (LS, n 22); through programmes here should, on the one hand, en- change and the fight against ex- that are able to address in a seri- visage processes for the review- treme poverty are by now evident. ous way the grave problem of the ing of the commitments that are These links also highlight the fact waste of food and can assure suf- made and for ‘follow-up’ that are that the threat of climate change ficient food security where that transparent, effective and dynam- and the response to it can really food is healthy, accessible and nu- ic, as well as being able to stead- become an interesting opportuni- tritious, with the existence of ap- ily increase the level of what is ty, an opportunity to set in motion propriate, sustainable and diver- aimed at (LS, n. 167). On the oth- a new model of development, to sified systems of agriculture (LS, er hand, it should be understood improve health, transport and en- nn. 164 and 180); and through the and ‘adopted’ by local popula- ergy security, and to create new strengthening of the financial re- tions. This requires assuring the job opportunities. For that mat- sources to be employed in such participation of the local popula- ter: 1) although the technologies fields and the development of al- tions in decision-making process- centred around combustible fuels ternative financial instruments, es, and that means native popula-

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tions as well (LS, nn. 143-146). der to help young people, so as to volved in promoting this educa- From this point of view, it is ad- achieve the adoption of a sense of tion in responsibility towards the visable to emphasise that a change responsibility towards the crea- environment which should be in- in models of production and con- tion and authentic integral human creasingly anchored in respect for sumption (LS, n. 180) cannot be development for all the peoples that ‘integral ecology’ which was sufficient if this is not also accom- of the earth – both present and fu- amply analysed by Pope Francis panied by a change in lifestyles. ture. The contemporary lifestyle, in his recent encyclical letter. In this area, another important with its throwaway culture, is This, as we are warned by Laud- element comes into play: educa- unsustainable and must not find ato si’, is a ‘A great cultural, spir- tion in sustainable lifestyles (LS, space in our models of develop- itual and educational challenge… nn. 164 and 206) and in respon- ment. The Holy See continues to and it will demand that we set out sible awareness (LS, nn. 202 and invoke these aspects during the on the long path of renewal (LS, 231). This means taking the op- process leading to the COP-21 n. 202). This is a challenge that portunity of the question of cli- and to offer important contribu- goes far beyond the COP-21 and mate change in order to intensify tions in this area. Throughout the which places us in front of what our efforts as regards formation world a large number of Catho- will happen after the COP-21 of and education, above all in or- lic educational institutions are in- Paris.

The Dialogue of Religions with the Sciences in Matters Connected with the Environment. The Encyclical of Bergoglio on the Environment: ‘Universal Ecological Conversion’

Prof. Enrico Mairov always also ‘human ecology’; in protection of ecosystems has be- President of the Mediterranean the world everything is connect- come indispensable; otherwise, Solidarity Association, ed: the frailty of the earth and of the new power structures based Israel the poor, environmental and soon the techno-economic para- cial imbalances, financial specu- digm may overwhelm not only lation, weapons and wars. our politics but also freedom and e are not God. The earth Bergoglio lists the negative justice’. He thus denounces the ‘Wprecedes us and has been features of the ‘ecological crisis’: ‘globalisation of the technocrat- given to us’. In his encyclical of global warming, climate change, ic paradigm’ which is reflected June of this year Pope Francis pollution, the increase in sea lev- in ‘obsessive consumerism’ and speaks about the current ‘crisis’ els, the impoverishment of bio- ‘which dominates present-day and asks ‘all people of good will’ diversity, the unfair distribution economics and politics’. to have an ‘ecological conversion’ of food, the lack of the right to ‘Economic powers continue to and a ‘new universal solidarity’. access for everyone to water. He justify the current global system In 192 pages and 296 sub-sec- denounces planetary ‘inequity’: where priority tends to be given tions the Pope speaks about ecol- ‘the foreign debt of poor coun- to speculation and the pursuit of ogy as the study of the oikos, in tries has been transformed in- financial gain, which fail to take Greek the ‘home’ of everyone; to an instrument of control’ but the context into account, let alone of responsibility for the ‘com- ‘the same thing does not happen’ the effects on human dignity and mon home’ against the concrete as regards the exploitation of re- the natural environment’. Fur- risk of self-annihilation. Man is sources and there is ‘a true eco- thermore, ‘It is foreseeable that, a ‘personal’ being but he is not logical debt, particularly between once certain resources have been the lord of nature. And nature is the global north and south’. depleted, the scene will be set for not ugly matter at our disposition; He points his finger against the new wars’. Everyone must have living beings are not ‘mere ob- ‘weakness’ of international pol- the courage to impose long-term jects’ for exploitation and profit – icy: ‘The establishment of a le- projects rather than pursing pow- they ‘have their own value before gal framework which can set er. Our survival, the harmony of God’. For that matter, ecology is clear boundaries and ensure the the creation, are at stake.

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The Bible narrates that the feast day of rest, established by fruit tree for this purpose, only a world was created in seven days. law a biblical break, a ‘planetary tree that does not bear fruit’. According to the Book of Gene- everyone stop!’ which with time Trees, water and earth were the sis, God pre-existed eternally be- took on a symbolic value which basis of all the efforts and thoughts fore the created order. The whole has traversed countries, cultures of the new State of Israel, as well, of creation from the light to the and economies. The concept of naturally, as human life. Since stars, from the sky to the fish in the rest, a fundamental point in the 1901 in Israel over three hundred sea, and on to the mingling of dust relationship between Judaism million trees have been planted. and divine breath that gave life to and nature, this ‘biological stop’, In the region of the Negev desert, humanity, was done by God to re- and more in general a careful near Yatir, where the first tree was joice at the wonderful goodness stewardship of the resources of planted in 1964, a pine forest now of nature and the environment of the planet, are points with which overs thirty thousand dunes of an the earth. Man and woman were modern society must come to area of thirty square kilometres. In created to reflect the power of terms, not least because increas- this area the average temperature God, to love and steward well the ingly often things here are not has fallen by two degrees. These resources of the world, and to of- working out. pines live with a glass of water a fer up prayers to God. Thousands of years ago, when year thanks to the drop irrigation Unique in all the order of the everything on this planet could system. In a land where miracles creation, humanity – men and be feared with the exception of are a part of history, there now re- women – alone bears the image of the ending of resources, Judaism mains a wise knowledge of na- God, the image (from the Hebrew ‘put its cards on the table’ and ture, a capacity to exploit its re- tselem – where a child is the im- antedated concepts which today sources, but also perhaps above age of its parent) of God amongst are at the centre of the concern of all else a capacity to defend them. the animated and not animated care about ecology. The problem Israel is a country that has one things of the creation. As bearers of harmony between man and na- source of natural water reserves: of His image, human beings have ture was certainly not born in an- Lake Tiberias – the Sea of Gali- the mandate to live in communion tiquity because there was a con- lee. Today in the national terri- with God and to take care of each cern about the ending of natural tory of Israel there are two hun- other and the world. resources, but because of the fact dred reservoirs which collect the Man is created similar to God, that God grants to man the use rain water that falls in January as His image and likeness on the of His work and its ownership and February. This water is then earth. To emphasise the impor- remains in his hands. As such, distributed during the rest of the tance and the diversity of man it must be protected in the best year. Nothing must be wasted and in relation to the other works of ways possible. The key concept nothing must be thrown away: creation, two particulars are in- around which Jewish ‘ecologis- 90% of waste water is recycled, serted: the plural in the soliloquy tic’ thought revolves is that of the made drinkable, and reused for of God to the heavenly court and Shabbat. The interruption of the agriculture. And then one search- the reference to a dialogue with weekly cycle appears to be preor- es, one tries and one learns. One the beings that have just been cre- dained to make the principle take has to constantly compare one- ated which places God in a unique root that time must be lived and self with other peoples, one has and personal relationship with the experienced as a moment and an to learn from them and also teach man and the woman. In addition, opportunity to overcome that dai- them. To live in harmony with na- the text states that the whole of ly material slavery which keeps ture, exploit its resources but also the work of creation is ‘good’. In- us bound up with the needs of defend them and make them pro- stead, it is said that the creation of our bodily selves, and as an en- liferate. God has always said this. the man and the woman is ‘very trance into a dimension of a com- It is men who find it hard to un- good’, thereby affirming in this pletely different nature. Where in derstand this. way the supremacy of the human the first chapter of the Torah God When examining the holy texts, being over the whole of the rest of orders man to ‘fill the earth and perhaps Judaism is the religion the creation. make it subject’, a few verses lat- which more than any other has To man is entrusted the creative er it makes clear that ‘God placed developed the subject of ecology, work of stewarding and complet- man in the garden’ (the whole declining it in practical cases with ing and he has the task of repro- world) so that he would cultivate very modern and surprising rec- ducing. it and steward it. There is there- ommendations. However, if we The text implicitly says that fore a right to use nature for his have to speak instead of the prac- God is eternal, that is to say that own needs but at the same time tical implementation of precepts, He existed before creating other there is the duty to safeguard it. it is Islam that has had a greater things and that He will also ex- How these two aspects can coex- incisiveness as regards the ‘green’ ist afterwards. Everything else is ist is explained in a verse of the behaviour of the faithful, not least temporary. fifth book of the Torah, which is because in the Islamic world re- To live in harmony with nature dated but effective: ‘When during ligious precepts coincide with the means at times to halt. And per- a war an army besieges a city and laws of the State. haps to reflect. Judaism, through a tree is prepared to be used as a The biblical commandment of its acceptance of Shabbat, the battering ram, you cannot use a bal tashchit prohibited the cutting

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down of trees, the deviation of riv- created man (humanity) and He gets them, he draws away from ers, and wasting water. A kosher immersed him in the perfect bal- Eden and ventures into unknown diet, observed both by Jews and ance of Eden. and dangerous paths. He must al- by Muslims, has its origins in re- Man made a different choice to ways remind himself that he is spect for animals which had to be the one he was ordered to make. destined to study and work hard slaughtered in a way that limited Since then, after leaving Eden, he to obtain a decent life and build their suffering to the utmost. The has had to survive in the domain a safe environment which can be message to cultivate and steward of nature and the things that were loyal to him at moments of need. the creation also arrived in Chris- created before him. Man has to All human beings resemble each tianity. Symbolic figures, such as remember that he can choose be- other. They can, and they must, St. Francis, have always high- tween good and evil and in gener- have the same obligations and the lighted the importance of respect al he can make choices on which same rights. Only by remember- for animals and nature. Without his life and the balance of nature ing this and the importance of the any doubt, the encyclical of Pope depend. Man bases his life on creation, good relationships with Francis is a strong and important three fundamental relationships: his neighbour, the observance of document for the construction, the relationship between man the natural balance of things, and and making stable, of an ethical and the Creator; the relationship using in an ethical way scientific and rational system for the de- between man and other human knowledge and discoveries pro- fence of nature and life itself. beings; and the relationship be- duced by research, can he hope to The Creator created everything. tween man and the nature which have a better life and perhaps the During the first week of the crea- surrounds him. Man must remem- possibility of rediscovering the tion, before ending the week, He ber these balances. When he for- path to Eden.

Projects and Innovative Initiatives for a ‘Healthy World’

Dr. Ligia Noronha to phase out ozone-depleting sub- access to safe water, and 2 billion Director of the Division stances will have prevented 2 mil- lack adequate sanitation.5 Not on- of Technology, Industry lion cases of skin cancer annually ly is there a health gap between and Economics, by 2030 while contributing to the the rich and poor countries, but the the United Nations international goals to reduce the health gap is most acute amongst Environment Programme – emission of greenhouse gases.4 the poorest in poor countries. Fur- UNEP, Despite the progress to date, thermore, health risks caused by Kenya there is a substantive and growing industry-induced contamination body of evidence that shows that of land and water are one of the current deteriorating environmen- most common sources of local- mprovements in economic de- tal trends may slow or inhibit fur- level grievances and have the po- Ivelopment, science and tech- ther improvements to wellbeing, tential to ignite conflict. nology, and research and devel- possibly reverse achievements Beyond these national and lo- opment, have generated many and lead to increased health dis- cal-level risks, there are environ- gains at the level of health. In the parities and a decline into poverty. ment-related transnational risks year 2013 global average life ex- Already today, it is estimated that such as communicable diseas- pectancy was 71.5 years.1 The de- nearly one quarter of all diseases, climate change, potential wa- cline in the number of deaths of es and deaths are due to hazards ter shortage-related conflicts, and children under five since the year from unhealthy living and work- risks from conflict and terrorism 2000 has saved the lives of 48 ing environments. According to that feed on poverty and environ- million children.2 The number of the WHO, the rich-poor ‘health mental constraints. These risks years of schooling and adult liter- gap’ is caused by a small num- and threats, as the UN High Lev- acy have increased; absolute pov- ber of illnesses. Many of these ill- el Panel on Threats, Challenge and erty in some regions of the world nesses are linked to environmen- Change put it, ‘recognize no na- has declined;3 diseases such as tal conditions and are exacerbated tional boundaries, are connected, smallpox have been eradicated; by the social context and poverty. and must be addressed at the glob- and at a global level the Montre- More than 1 billion people in low- al and regional as well as the na- al Protocol and subsequent action and middle-income countries lack tional levels’.6 The responsibility

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to address environmental risks is to representativeness in terms of ing level of 2-3 degrees Celsius, also intergenerational. scope and coverage. I will high- people at risk from malaria are ex- In a recently released paper on light that there is an artificial dis- pected to increase by 5% and from uncovering pathways to an inclu- tinction between the national and diarrhoea up to 10% by 2030.10 sive green economy,7 the UNEP global benefits of interventions to Poor people lose more when nat- stated that: ‘A failure to recognize improve the environment as many ural disasters strike as they have serious ecological constraints is a initiatives that seek to address na- few safety nets. This study sug- failure to acknowledge the health tional risks have global benefits gests that climate change may of our common home and the and those that address global risks result in 100m additional people needs and rights of future genera- have national benefits. It is in the living in poverty by 2030. There tions – or in some cases for cur- space of multiple benefits of envi- seems to be little doubt that cli- rent generations. Once a floor or ronmental improvements and ini- mate change will be the single a ceiling is reached, the rules of tiatives that I would like to locate most difficult challenge to inter- the game change and survival it- my contribution. Section II goes national sustainable development, self may become a challenge, re- beyond projects and initiatives affecting the North and the South, gardless of the offsetting stock of and speaks about the key changes the developed, the emerging and financial or human capital. The that are required in terms of eco- developing economies.11 It could understanding of what constitutes nomic signals, the knowledge that lead to rapid, large and unexpect- ‘critical natural capital’ is chang- is created, and environmental and ed impacts on local, regional and ing rapidly as we approach eco- resource governance. global scales. Differential vulner- logical boundaries and binding abilities and adaptive capacities constraints owing to cumulative give rise to issues of ‘equity’ and impacts’.8 1. Addressing Multiple Benefits ‘justice’.12 Thus, reducing environmental stress and investing in ecosystem Climate, health and unjust Air pollution resilience reduces risks to health outcomes and wellbeing and enhances the Air pollution is the world’s resilience of people, especially As the IPCC TAR Report put it: largest single environmental women and children, who may be ‘The impacts of climate change health risk. Approximately 4.3 vulnerable due to poor initial en- will fall disproportionately up- million people a year die prema- dowments and entitlements and on developing countries and the turely from illness attributable to lack of support networks. Ad- poor persons within all coun- household air pollution caused dressing the links between the en- tries, thereby exacerbate inequi- by the inefficient use of solid fu- vironment and wellbeing calls not ties in health status and access els. Over half of the deaths from only for national and global ac- to adequate food, clean water acute lower respiratory infections tion, but preventive, and not just and other resources’.9 This was among children less than 5 years post facto, action to ensure large a theme reiterated in later IPCC old are due to air pollution from scale and also temporal effects. assessment reports. We see this household solid fuels. In addi- This international conference in the papal encyclical on ‘Care tion, 3.7 million deaths can be at- thus comes at an important time, for our Common Home’: ‘The tributed to outdoor air pollution, when the world has adopted a climate is a common good, be- of which transport, energy pro- positive 2030 sustainable devel- longing to all and meant for all’ duction and industry are major opment agenda and the 17 SDGs “[Climate change] represents one sources. That the poor are more in which the environment is well of the principal challenges facing vulnerable should be evident giv- integrated through the goals; just humanity in our day. Developing en their greater exposure to pollu- before the historic COP 21 in Par- countries will probably feel its tion sources but also their lack of is to obtain an agreement on cli- worst impact in coming decades. alternatives in terms of relocation mate change; and with the back- Many of the poor live in areas to regions with cleaner air. The drop of other conversations on particularly affected by phenom- 2011 UNEP/WMO assessment emerging global and local ecolog- ena related to warming, and their indicated that reducing the emis- ical constraints and tipping points means of subsistence are largely sion of black carbon, methane and with their potential for unwanted dependent on natural reserves and subsequently tropospheric ozone dislocation and/or conflict. ecosystemic services such as agri- could yield a benefit of 2.4 mil- My paper has two sections: sec- culture, fishing and forestry’. lion avoided premature deaths tion I will touch on just two key The World Bank in a recent re- annually by 2030 and 52 million environmental and natural report on climate change and pov- tons of avoided crop yield loss for source issues that influence well- erty suggests that beyond agricul- four staple crops – maize, wheat, being – climate and air pollut- tural impacts, the next strongest rice and soybean – annually by ants and natural resource use, and drivers of climate-linked poverty 2030. In addition to the health and will then focus more narrowly on are health effects such as higher agricultural benefits associated the projects, initiatives and pro- incidences of malaria, diarrhoea with SLCPs emission reduction, grammes to address these chal- and stunting, and lower labour the UNEP/WMO assessment al- lenges, in support of a healthy productivity due to extreme heat. so indicated that black carbon world, with a clear disclaimer as With no action, at a global warm- and methane emission reduction

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could help avoid increased future to 37 million passenger cars off (SCP). This shift is central to bal- global warming by an average of the roads. Street lighting uses be- ancing human activities with the about 0.5°C by 2050. tween 20%-40% of a city’s mu- long-term functioning of ecosys- The UNEP is engaged in a se- nicipal budget and is fundamental tems. The UNEP believes that by ries of programmes and initiatives in increasing the security of citi- embedding SCP systems in na- to drive mitigation and reduce air zens’ security and promoting eco- tional and sectorial policies, re- and climate pollutants. nomic development. thinking unbridled consumerism, The UNEP seeks to promote and balancing over- and under- Initiatives with multiple benefits cleaner transport to reduce out- consumption can enable the un- door air pollution. Vehicle emis- served and underserved to access The Climate and Clean Air Co- sions are the first urban air pol- key supply-constrained resourc- alition, for example, was launched lutant, especially through small es while maintaining harmony in February 2012 by six govern- particle matter (PM). The UNEP with the earth’s life support sys- ments and the UNEP to catalyse is leading the global effort to re- tem. Recognising the importance major reductions in short-lived duce emissions from vehicle fleets of a decoupled growth from re- climate pollutants (SLCPs) with – buses, cars and 2 and 3 wheel- source use and environmental an initial focus on black carbon, ers. The Partnership for Clean footprints for the future of our methane, tropospheric ozone and Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) is a societies and communities, mem- some hydrofluorocarbons (HF- global public-private initiative ber States at Rio+20 adopted a Cs). Constituting a unique initia- which brings together 72 organi- global framework to promote de- tive of State and non-State actors sations representing developed coupling/sustainable consump- with its secretariat at the UNEP and developing countries, the fuel tion and production which is (now including more than 45 State and vehicle industries, civil soci- called the 10-year framework of partners and 50 non-State actors), ety, and leading world experts on programmes on sustainable con- the CCAC contributes to multi- cleaner fuels and vehicles. The sumption and production patterns ple benefits. Fast action to reduce focus is on cleaner air through ap- (10YFP), now a target under SDG SLCPs can be achieved through plying fuel quality improvements 12. The programme which is host- existing technologies and could and proven vehicle technologies ed by the UNEP seeks to scale up prevent a significant proportion in use in leading global auto mar- and enhance international coop- of the estimated 6 million deaths kets. eration in order to accelerate the annually from air-pollution relat- shift towards sustainable con- ed illness; avoid annual crop loss- Enabling a wider access to sumption and production (SCP) es of over 30 million tons annu- natural resources through in both developed and developing ally by 2030; and slow down the sustainable consumption and countries. It is composed of six warming expected by 2050 by as production priority programmes: sustainable much as 0.5°C and by up to 0.7°C public procurement, consumer in- in the Arctic by 2040, and deliver Inequality in incomes and con- formation, sustainable lifestyles, significant regional climate ben- sumption, the problem of ‘late sustainable tourism, sustainable efits. The UNEP, apart from be- starters’ in development when food systems, and sustainable ing the secretariat of the CCAC, key natural resources and ecolog- buildings and construction.15 is actively involved in initiatives ical sinks are becoming scarce, concerning urban health; diesel involve an urgent need to: (i) con- ‘Detoxifying’ our economies and vehicles; the oil and gas industry; serve and share resources and societies – the substitution and HFCs; solid waste; assessment; ecological space; (ii) share bene- design-out of harmful product finance; agriculture; and planning fits from the development of nat- components Enlighten: the enlighten initia- ural resources; (iii) reduce wants; tive13 was established in 2009 to and (iv) address the trust deficit The UNEP implements a range accelerate a global market trans- across groups, societies and na- of activities to support the imple- formation to environmentally sus- tions with unequal incomes, ca- mentation of the Basle, Rotterdam tainable, energy-efficient lighting pacities, opportunities, informa- and Stockholm Conventions, in- technologies, as well as to de- tion and life worlds.14 Allowing cluding the development of POPs velop strategies to phase-out in- space for the lives of the poor to destruction technologies to sup- efficient incandescent lamps to improve needs some retreat from port the polychlorinated biphe- reduce CO2 emissions and the re- overconsumption by the rich. As nyls (PCB) elimination network lease of mercury from fossil fuel Mahatma Gandhi said: ‘the Rich (PEN), the development of a DDT combustion. A global transition to must live more simply so that the roadmap, and the identification efficient street lighting solutions Poor may simply Live’. of alternatives in India, Africa, – light emitting diodes, LEDs Given global development as- and Asia. The SAICM, a volun- – would save over 130 TWh in pirations, the world requires a tary framework, has as its over- annual electricity consumption, ‘decoupling’ of economic pro- all objective the achievement of a which is equivalent to 40 large duction from resource use and sound management of chemicals power plants (of 500 MW), and environmental degradation and throughout their life cycle so that 66 million tonnes in CO2 emis- a shift to sustainable patterns by the year 2020 chemicals will sions, equivalent to taking close of consumption and production be produced and used in ways that

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minimise significant adverse im- added from such activity suggests and disease experts acknowledge pacts on human health and the en- an artificial addition to GDP but the existence of a complex ‘web of vironment.16 The Minamata Con- one in which the impact on health causation’ for ill health, their focus vention on Mercury is a global and lives is not factored in and most often remains on the biologi- treaty to protect human health and appropriately deflated. This sends cal and ecological mechanisms the environment from the adverse wrong signals to decision-makers of disease transmission. Rarely effects of mercury. It was agreed as to the value of the activity and do they consider social, cultural, in January 2013.The major high- does not alert them to the need for political, environmental and eco- lights of the Minamata Convention a good management of the indus- nomic factors that may help ex- on Mercury include a ban on new try. Recognising and internalising plain the occurrence of the disease mercury mines, the phasing-out of the environmental and social costs and unwellness in the first place, existing ones, control measures on of human activity into the mone- and/or guide the design and imple- air emissions, and the internation- tary assessment of gross domestic mentation of responses to prevent al regulation of the informal sector product is the key to getting the and control transmission. To un- for artisanal and small-scale gold right signals into economic deci- derstand the interactions between mining. The Convention draws at- sion-making as they are also the social and ecological systems, tention to a global and ubiquitous key to the choices we make as there is a need for transdiscipli- metal which, while naturally oc- ordinary individuals when mak- nary knowledge which involves curring, has broad uses in every- ing our consumer choices. A com- moving across disciplines, across day objects and is released into the prehensive accounting of natural the social, health and natural sci- atmosphere, soil and water from a wealth and degradation is the key ences. It also requires an engage- variety of sources.17 to internalisng the ‘invisibility of ment with non-scientific actors, nature’ in overall economic per- as these provide access to differ- formance. The purpose of valu- ent knowledge systems that may 2. Beyond the Discourse on ing ecosystem services is not to contribute to important insights in Projects and Initiatives privatise them or make them in- understanding the problem of hu- to commodities for the market. man health in the anthropocene, Addressing environment and Instead, valuing can be a crucial and one that sees human health in- health linkages, however, requires management tool in understand- terventions as being beyond just a more than just projects and initia- ing, and acting to conserve, eco- consideration of the host etiolog- tives, which, while important, are systems and reduce development ical agent and the environment, discrete and often time and re- pressure on them. Fundamentally, to include human activity, poli- sources bound. What is required accounting for natural capital and cies and ecosystem conditions in is a fundamental transformation, degradation in a nation’s econom- ecosystem approaches to human a paradigm shift that brings en- ic performance provides a better health and wellbeing.20 vironmental and sustainability to understanding of the direction the centre of knowledge and de- and sustainability of the long- To protect environment for cision-making processes for all term wellbeing of its people. The human wellbeing is to govern groups – government, business, UNEP does considerable work in differently consumers, and producers. I high- this area through its work on the light here three important direc- TEEB18 and its engagement in Addressing environment and tions for change. the inclusive wealth index meas- health linkages requires us to gov- ures the assets from which human ern differently: governing differ- Signaling correctly is important wellbeing is derived, including ently is about paying attention to for informed and free choices manufactured, human and natural the most vulnerable, among whom capital. In this, it measures a na- are children but also the elderly, The relevance of well-function- tion’s capacity to create and main- taking into account the main social ing subsystems – both social and tain human wellbeing over time.19 determinants that influence vul- ecological – to human wellbeing nerability to environment-health has not been sufficiently recog- A different way of knowing is the risks, and also looking at poverty, nised: neither in our mainstream key to protecting the environment inequalities and gender implica- economic models which do not and wellbeing tions. Thus is takes into account account for the impact that eco- the fact that depending on where nomic activities can have on the Part of the reason why the links people live, the vulnerability to environment and through path- between the environment, ecosys- environmental degradation is dif- ways of poor air, land or water tem services and human health and ferent and needs, therefore, to be quality that influence the lives of wellbeing are not recognised and addressed differently. people, nor indeed when econom- acknowledged is that knowledge Governing differently is about ic activity disrupts trust or social production is still locked into dis- engaging and providing incen- capital which in turn affects hu- ciplines and sub-disciplines. What tives and empowerment for all man wellbeing. We see this often is required is new knowledge, dif- actors of society in order to be in poorly planned minerals de- ferent research that bridges social able to address environment and velopment activity or irresponsi- and ecological systems. For exam- health issues. This entails provid- ble mining. As a result, the value ple, while public health specialists ing access to information to citi-

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zens in order to make decisions ture, building or transport. There cause and cause-specific mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990–2013: a systematic but also working with the finan- is also a need to strengthen the analysis for the Global Burden of Disease cial and economic sectors to im- science-policy interface to build Study 2013’, The Lancet 385 (9963): 117– prove market practices through more effective integrated policies. 171. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61682-2. ISSN 0140-6736. integration of ESG risks, using This implies the monitoring of the 2 WHO http://www.who.int/gho/en/ (ac- incentives as well as enforcement environment in which people live cessed 20.10.2015). measures. and work, in relation to air quality 3 World Development Indicators 2007. 4 Scientific Assessment of Ozone Deple- Governing differently means or water for example. tion 2014. UNEP and WMO. to support institutional innova- 5 Addressing the needs of clean water and tions in social behaviour, some of sanitation will require about USD 7 billion/ yr which is estimated to be less than what which emerge as a result of tweak- Conclusion: the 2030 Americans spend on elective cosmetic suring the existing institutions draw- Development Agenda gery per year, and Europeans spend on per- ing on Elinor Ostrom’s thesis that fume (HDR 2005, p. 93). and UNEA 2 as an Opportunity 6 UN 2004, p.11. small changes in institutions of- to Raise Momentum 7 Reference:http://www.unep.org/gree- ten produce large outcomes, and and Scale up neconomy/Portals/88/documents/GEI%20 other innovations which produce Highlights/IGE_NARRATIVE_SUMMA- RY.pdf, p. 24. new institutions: for example, The recently adopted Sustain- 8 Rockstrom et al. (2009), ‘Planetary the Pani Panchayat illustration of able Development Goals offer an Boundaries: Exploring the safe operating Salunke in Maharashtra, India, or space for humanity’, Ecology and Society opportunity to bring existing pro- 14(2): 32. waste management practices in jects and initiatives to the scale re- 9 IPCC 2001, Synthesis Report. Summa- Manila city, in Germany, and in quired to effectively address envi- ry for Policymakers, p. 12; see also Stern the Netherlands. 2006 and the working groups’ summaries ronment and health linkages. The for policy makers preceding the IPCC’s 4th Key areas for transforming countries of the world, in adopt- report to be released in November 2007. the institutional and legal frame- ing the Sustainable Development 10 http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/ infographic/2015/11/08/managing-the-im- works are to be found at all lev- Goals, have provided a pathway pacts-of-climate-change-on-poverty els of collective decision-making to achieving integrated policy- 11 Climate variability, including extreme and typically move bottom up making as regards these issues at weather events, is estimated to cause over 150,000 deaths annually around the globe. from local awareness and a grow- global, regional and national lev- The global mean sea level is projected to ing demand for better and health- els. This will be critical to ensur- rise by 0.18 to 0.59 metres;this is higher in ier living environments to wider ing the transformations needed on Asia (IPCC, FAR, 2007) and is projected to increase the annual coastal population agreements governing shared in- a large scale to deliver sustainable that flooded to ~ 94 million; 60% of this in terests, such as access to clean air development and a more equita- South Asia; 20% in South East Asia See IP- or fresh water resources; or man- ble world. For countries, invest- CC, Climate Change 2007: ‘Impacts, Ad- aptation and Vulnerability. Working Group aging the flow of toxic materials ment in a healthy environment II Contribution to the Intergovernmental that risk creating liabilities for hu- is an investment in the wellbeing Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assess- man wellbeing far into the future. of current and future generations. ment Report’, available at: www.ipcc.ch/ SPM6avr07.pdf. Also see Patwardhan, There is a need to engage with lo- The SDGs offer an opportunity 2006 for a discussion on impact on LDCs, cal knowledge more generally as to act on the social, environmen- The Stern Review (2006) warned that fail- many solutions to environmental tal and economic determinants of ure to control climate change could reduce the global economy by 5-10% annually by problems are best found locally. good health in a cohesive way. the end of the century and lead to social Identifying and addressing wom- The second meeting of the disruption. en’s needs and promoting women United Nations Environment As- 12 For an elucidation on ‘equity and justice’ issues in climate change see Rose et al. as decision- makers are critical sembly in May 2016 will dedicate (1998); Ikeme (2003); Thomas and Twyman elements as women often possess its high-level interactive ministe- (2005); Winters et al. (1998); Brown (2003); the knowledge and skills critical rial session to the topic ‘healthy Adgers, 2001. 13 http://www.enlighten-initiative.org/ to finding local solutions. environment, healthy people’. 14 Trust is about developing an attitude There is a need to promote This meeting will be an oppor- that factors in the interests of the other, not more integrated thinking and ap- tunity for UN agencies, govern- just for opportunistic, prudential or strategic reasons but also to promote common well- proaches and a strengthened in- ments and stakeholders to call for being and humanity. terface between the environment action to deliver on the environ- 15 http://www.unep.org/10yfp/ and health. This means design- ment and health nexus. 16 http://www.saicm.org/ 17 http://www.mercuryconvention.org/ ing, planning and implementing 18 http://www.teebweb.org/ policies through interministerial 19 http://inclusivewealthindex.org/#the- and intersectorial coordination, Notes world-wants-to-know-how-its-doing leading to the integration of en- 20 http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Programs/Ag- 1 GBD 2013 Mortality and Causes of riculture_and_the_Environment/Ecosys- vironment-health issues in key Death Collaborators (2014), ‘Global, re- tem_Approaches_to_Human_Health/Pag- sectorial policies such as agricul- gional, and national age–sex specific all- es/default.aspx

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Access to Safe and Clean Water: a Fundamental, Universal and Essential Human Right

Dr. Michel Roy John Paul II wrote ‘as a gift from water as an instrument of politi- Secretary General Caritas God, water is a vital element es- cal or economic pressure (PCJP, Internationalis, sential to survival, thus everyone Water an essential element for life the Holy See has a right to it’ (PCJP, Water an – A contribution of the Holy See essential element for life). to the Sixth World Water Forum, In Laudato Si’ §30, Pope Fran- 2012). want to express my thanks to cis tells us that ‘Access to safe IH.E. Archbishop Zimowski and drinkable water is a basic and uni- to Msgr. Mupendawatu for invit- versal human right, since it is es- The reality of lack of access ing Caritas Internationalis to this sential to human survival and, as to safe water international conference. As you such, is a condition for the exer- know, the Caritas network is act- cise of other human rights’, in- In 2015, 663 million people ing worldwide on health issues cluding the right to health, the still lack improved drinking water and many other issues, including right to housing and the right to sources. Eight out of ten of those HIV/AIDS, Ebola, non-commu- adequate food. people live in rural areas (530 nicable diseases, in emergency There is no doubt that for the million). situations as well as at the level of Church access to safe and drink- In 2015, 2.4 billion people still long-term development. able water is a fundamental hu- lack improved sanitation facili- Pa¯ni opor nam gibon! Water is man right. ties. Seven out of ten people with- life! out improved sanitation facilities, I have heard these words a num- and nine out of ten people still ber of times in Bangladesh. Yes, The Current Situation practising open defecation, live water is life. But water can, alas, in rural areas (UN: Progress on also be death! Drinking polluted Let us look now at the reality of Sanitation and Drinking Water water is still a cause of death for the ‘right to water’ as such in in- – 2015 update and MDG assess- many children around the world. ternational law. ment). That is true in Bangladesh as well. On 28 July 2010, by Resolu- Contaminated water and poor Floods also bring their share of tion 64/292, the United Nations sanitation are linked to the trans- death and tragedy. The melting General Assembly explicitly rec- mission of diseases such as chol- glaciers of the Himalayas, in add- ognised the human right to wa- era, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepati- ing to the monsoon rains, bring ter and sanitation and acknowl- tis A, typhoid and polio. even more water to the two major edged that clean drinking water According to the WHO, some rivers that fertilise that country, and sanitation are essential to the 842,000 people (of whom 361,000 the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, achievement of all human rights. are children aged under 5) are es- regularly flooding the plain twice The resolution called upon timated to die every year from a year. One-third to two-thirds of States and international organisa- diarrhoea as a result of unsafe the country disappears under wa- tions toprovide financial resourc- drinking water and a lack of san- ter. Then a cyclone or two a year es; transfer capacity-building and itation and hand hygiene (Drink- in the Gulf of Bengal make the technology to help countries, in ing Water Key Facts: http://www. sea level rise, invading the low- particular developing countries; who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/ lands of the delta. This overpopu- and to provide safe, clean, acces- fs391/en/). lated country (165 million inhab- sible and affordable drinking wa- itants on a surface not bigger than ter and sanitation for all. Belgium) is blessed with water Water is closely linked to san- The place of water in that brings life but also death. itation. The UN speaks about international development I could extend this story to oth- WASH: water, sanitation, hy- policies er parts of the world, where wa- giene. Yesterday was the world ter is abundant or scarce. You all toilets day! At its plenary session held on know about this reality. Unfortunately, not all States in- 12-15 October this year here in I will start my paper with two clude the right to water in their Rome, the World Committee on references to the right to water in legal systems. Some States toler- Food Security and Nutrition host- Catholic social teaching. ate or even undertake actions that ed by FAO recalled that water, Access to safe water is a basic are directly or indirectly harmful food security and nutrition are human right. In a Message to the to the rights of communities of intrinsically linked, and that wa- Bishops of Brazil in 2004, Saint bordering States, or they even use ter is essential for the progressive

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implementation of both the right 6.1. By 2030, achieve universal na-OCADES led the project for to adequate food in the context and equitable access to safe and Drinking Water, Sanitation and of national food security and the affordable drinking water for all. the Promotion of Environmen- right to safe drinking water and 6.2. By 2030, achieve access to tal Education (Project WSS/PE) sanitation. adequate and equitable sanitation in eight rural communities of the The committee also offered the and hygiene for all and end open four dioceses of Kaya, Koupela, following recommendations. Ef- defecation, paying special atten- Manga and Ouagadougou (the forts should be made: 1. To pro- tion to the needs of women and population of the project inter- mote the sustainable management girls and those in vulnerable situ- vention area is estimated at 3 mil- and conservation of ecosystems ations. lion inhabitants). The objective for the continued availability, Such is the situation in the in- was to contribute to improving quality and reliability of water ternational arena. the health status of the popula- for food security and nutrition; 2. tions and their living conditions to improve consistency between through better access to drinking water and FSN related policies, The Caritas Experience water and sanitation. strategies and plans; 3. to achieve During those three years, the equal access to water for all, pri- For us, access to sufficient, project achieved some valuable oritising the most vulnerable and safe, drinkable, physically acces- achievements: 40 new drill holes marginalised of all ages and em- sible and affordable water is a for 12,000 beneficiaries in vil- power women and young people; right to life issue, therefore it is a lages without drinking water; 110 4. to refrain from using water as central objective of many Caritas old wells repaired to help 33,000 an instrument for political or eco- initiatives around the world. ‘Our beneficiaries unable to repair their nomic pressure; and 5. to promote world has a grave social debt to- pumps; 202 water associations es- the full and meaningful imple- wards the poor who lack access to tablished and trained to manage mentation of international human drinking water, because they are the pumps; and 8 rural districts rights obligations and instruments denied the right to a life consist- established the municipal main- as they relate to water for FSN. ent with their inalienable dignity tenance of a water points system. All this is very technical, and is (Laudato Si’, n. 30). expressed in UN language, but it In fact, water is a necessary Caritas Brazil does reflect the priority given to pre-condition to other forms of access to safe drinkable water in development that help margin- In areas characterised by water the international spheres. alised people get out of poverty. scarcity, agricultural activities can This is reflected in the SDG Once this basic pre-condition is be so limited that the population where you will find ‘water tar- achieved, Caritas initiatives al- does not enjoy minimal subsist- gets’. low for the realisation of all oth- ence conditions. Therefore, build- er aspects of life: from sanitation ing on ensuring access to wa- to food production, and from em- ter – and always with the aim of Water targets in the SDGs powerment to civic participation. achieving authentic development Caritas helps local actors de- – Caritas has undertaken further In the former MDG: Target 7.C velop their projects not only to initiatives for the attainment of was as follows: ‘Halve, by 2015, provide safe water but also to re- other human rights, such as the the proportion of the population duce the incidence of disease (and right to adequate food; health; without sustainable access to safe therefore death) due to the mis- civic participation; and advocacy drinking water and basic sanita- management of water resourc- in the adoption of public policies. tion’. es and poor hygiene. Thus, Cari- The Brazilian semi-arid region The global MDG target for tas initiatives try to involve the covers nine States in the north- drinking water was met in 2010, community in a developmental east and southeast of the country but the least developed countries perspective, starting from a ba- (an area of about 980 000 km2). did not meet the target. 2.6 billion sic need such as access to water. It is a high temperature region people have gained access to an Activities range from the con- where the rainfall regime is une- improved drinking water source struction of infrastructure to the ven, sometimes with long periods since 1990. organisation and training of com- of drought and occasional rain- However, the global MDG tar- munities in the management of fall concentrated in a few months. get for sanitation has been missed water systems to improve hygiene Without water, it is extremely by almost 700 million people. Yet conditions. The community is hard for rural communities to cul- 2.1 billion people have gained ac- supported to involve all social ac- tivate their land and grow their cess to an improved sanitation fa- tors, especially the public sector. food. cility since 1990. Let me now give you two ex- Since the 1950s Caritas Brazil These are good points to cele- amples. has been an active member of ‘Ar- brate. But more had to be done. ticulaçao do semi-arido (ASA)’, The new SDG 6 says: ‘Ensure Caritas Burkina Faso a network of non-State organisa- availability and sustainable man- tions that originated in the initia- agement of water and sanitation From 1 January 2012 to 31 tives of local residents, carrying for all’. December 2014 Caritas Burki- out coordinated intervention, ad-

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vocacy and partnership with local water – tap, stock, treat, analyse, ter shortage may occur within a governments in the region. Before distribute, preserve; 2. sanita- few decades unless urgent action ASA begun operating, people de- tion and preservation; 3. reducing is taken. The environmental re- pended on food aid and water dis- the costs of water; 4. awareness percussions could affect billions tribution from public authorities. efforts as regards hygiene and of people; it is also conceivable The intervention of Caritas has health; 5. organising and manag- that the control of water by large been, first of all, to secure longing water. Look at www.wikiwa- multinational businesses may be- term water supplies by installing ter.fr come a major source of conflict reservoirs in each community to in this century’. capture rain water, clean it and Water has been the source of store it, for both personal use and The Challenges Ahead conflicts and has been used as a for irrigation purposes. In addi- weapon of war throughout history. tion to installing reservoirs, Cari- In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis If there is no governance of water tas accompanies the communities calls our attention to various im- and no respect for the human right through workshops in water man- portant factors: (Laudato Si’, n. to water, we may see an increase agement to educate the local pop- 27) ‘Other indicators of the pre- in conflicts over water in the com- ulation in using water correctly sent situation have to do with the ing years. Egypt and dams on the and avoiding waste. Subsequent- depletion of natural resources. Blue Nile in Ethiopia and the Su- ly, Caritas continues this accom- We all know that it is not possi- dan; Israel and the Occupied Ter- paniment through monitoring vis- ble to sustain the present level of ritories; India and Bangladesh. In its and keeping in contact with the consumption in developed coun- 2014 alone, sixteen tensions or communities. tries and wealthier sectors of so- conflicts arose about the question Reservoirs have notably im- ciety, where the habit of wasting of access to water… http://www2. proved the lives of local residents. and discarding has reached un- worldwater.org/conflict/list/ The availability of water has fi- precedented levels. The exploi- These elements and the analy- nally enabled them to grow crops tation of the planet has already sis given by Pope Francis might (such as potatoes, vegetables, exceeded acceptable limits and look scary! But they are the real- fruit trees) and raise cattle without we still have not solved the prob- ity with which we have to engage depending on water distribution. lem of poverty. (n. 28): ‘Sources and build hope for the future. The farmers – who have organ- of fresh water are necessary for So, what has experience taught ised themselves into associations health care, agriculture and in- us? What are the best ways to to be able to participate in the dustry. Water supplies used to be ensure the right to water for all? government’s programmes – have relatively constant, but now in What should future development reached such a level of productiv- many places demand exceeds the policies help to achieve? Here are ity that they are even able to sell sustainable supply, with dramat- four guidelines for our work. their surplus on the local market. ic consequences in the short and Their self-managed, organ- long term’. (n. 29): ‘One particu- 1. Increase awareness of water, ic food production has notably larly serious problem is the qual- sanitation and hygiene rights benefited their health (whereas ity of water available to the poor. the large use of agro-toxics is a Every day, unsafe water results There is a general lack of big problem in Brazil) and their in many deaths and the spread awareness among people in com- household economies, and has of water-related diseases, includ- munities regarding their right to enhanced solidarity between and ing those caused by microorgan- safe and drinkable water, sanita- within families. isms and chemical substances. tion and hygiene services. This has contributed to the re- Dysentery and cholera’. (n. 30): Effective implementation, sus- plenishment of underground wa- ‘Even as the quality of available tainability, operation and main- ter tables that provide drinkable water is constantly diminishing, tenance of water systems, sani- water. in some places there is a grow- tation and hygiene projects can To bring together the rich ex- ing tendency, despite its scarcity, only be achieved if people at the periences developed across the to privatize this resource, turn- grassroots level are empowered world, Secours Catholique/Cari- ing it into a commodity subject with adequate knowledge of their tas France a few years ago devel- to the laws of the market. Yet ac- rights and their own water, sanita- oped what has been called ‘wiki- cess to safe drinkable water is a tion and hygiene projects. water’. This is an online guide basic and universal human right, intended for anyone who is inter- since it is essential to human sur- 2. Access to water requires ested in questions of water and vival and, as such, is a condition a political will and shared sanitation and was created with for the exercise of other human commitment on the part of the idea of sharing different ex- rights. Our world has a grave so- stakeholders periences and practices that have cial debt towards the poor who bee used with as many people as lack access to drinking water, be- Involving key stakeholders possible, all over the globe and cause they are denied the right (e.g. community members, gov- in particular with those who need to a life consistent with their in- ernment water departments, civ- that information the most. This alienable dignity’. (31): ‘Some il society and the private sector) involves: 1. facilitating access to studies warn that an acute wa- remains indispensable for suc-

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cessful water programmes. http:// 4. Establishing and training ly generate improved health. The www.wikiwater.fr/c5-les-divers- community water management correct and sustained use of facili- es-formes-juridiques.html committees ties is what ultimately leads to disease reduction and healthier peo- 3. Establishing linkages between Establishing these committees ple. water, sanitation and hygiene is critically important for the sus- We clearly have to move for- issues in water policy tainability of water infrastructure. ward along those lines to improve However, it is not enough to set the way things are and make It is Caritas’ view that these is- up such committees. It is also im- drinkable water a reality for all. sues should be tackled holistical- portant to equip them with the With such measures, people ly as they are intertwined with the skills to maintain and manage the in Bangladesh as elsewhere will, vision of ensuring a sustainable water infrastructure. hopefully, be able to master bet- management and utilisation of Water and sanitation facilities ter the gift of water that God has water resources. on their own do not automatical- given them.

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Round Table Education and Ecological Spirituality: a Different Lifestyle

1. Educating in the Alliance between Humanity and the Environment in a Spirit of Solidarity and Care Based upon Compassion. Request for Assisted Suicide in the Light of the Encyclical letter Laudato Si’

Prof. Dr. Arndt bate about whether medical doc- However, in 2005 the German Büssing, M.D. tors should be allowed to assist Hospice Foundation commis- Professorship of Quality of Life, suicide in cases of fatal illness- sioned the opinion research cen- Spirituality and Coping, es when patients ask for it. Of tre Emnid to pose different ques- the Institute of Integrative course, the number of deep anal- tions. Emnid found that only 35% Medicine, yses with good arguments, both advocated medically assisted sui- Witten/Herdecke University, for and against assisted suicide, is cide, while 56% advocated palli- Germany immense. One argument is that as ative medicine and terminal care an act of free will, persons should instead.4 Here, the respondents have the right to decide them- had an alternative option to re- he German philosopher Frie- selves when and how they die. spond to, namely palliative care, Tdrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) while the Forsa opinion polls did wrote in his philosophical poem not offer any alternative response ‘Thus spoke Zarathustra’ about Support for Assisted option but instead asked whether Voluntary Death: ‘Die at the right Suicide the individual was in favour or time: so teacheth Zarathustra. To not of assisted suicide. Moreover, be sure, he who never liveth at the In 2014 the opinion research today society is more aware of right time, how could he ever die centre Forsa found that in the case hospice work and palliative medi- at the right time? Would that he of a personal fatal illness, 70% of cine, and is much more aware that might never be born! – Thus do Germans wanted to have the op- there are options available as re- I advise the superfluous ones… tion to ask for assisted suicide and gards controlling pain and avoid- His death, dieth the consummat- only 22% rejected it.2 In the same ing loneliness and isolation. In- ing one triumphantly, surrounded year, the Allensbach Institute re- terestingly, in the Emnid opinion by hoping and promising ones… ported that 67% of Germans sup- poll the proportion of palliative death, praise I unto you, the vol- ported assisted suicide while 19% medicine supporters rose from untary death, which cometh unto were against; in the year 2008 35% in 1997 to 57% in 2000 and me because I want it.’1 the same institute had found that to 56% in 2005, whereas the per- For this fictitious character Zar- 58% agreed with assisted sui- centage of assisted suicide sup- athustra, sovereignty and self-decide.3 Moreover, 60% agreed that porters decreased from 41% to termination are the ultimate de- private organisations that offer 36% and 35% respectively.5 terminants of freedom. Voluntary support to committing suicide in In 2012, Forsa found that death is thus a radical act of free the case of incurably sick peo- 77% agreed that medical doctors will. For Nietzsche, suicide is ple should be allowed; 20% disa- should be allowed to assist medi- the ‘triumph of rationality’ when greed; and 20% were undecided. cal suicide in the case of a fatal there is nothing more to expect It seems that the proportion of illness; 19% rejected it.6 Here, and to live for. people who support assisted sui- mostly 45 to 59 year-old people Today, there is an ongoing decide has been rising. agreed (85%), while young adults

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(70% in 18 to 29 year-old people) for me. Please help me out’? What have meaning, who feel lonely and older people (72% of those > do we have to offer to these suf- and irrelevant, and who are help- 60 years) were more reluctant. In fering people who ask for assisted lessly driven towards nothing- addition, more Catholics had ob- suicide for different reasons? ness? When we encounter Christ jections to assisted suicide (25%) A qualitative study from Swit- in each and every person, how compared to 20% of Protestants zerland showed that patients who can we help him? and 12% of those without any reli- died because of assisted suicide Pope Francis clearly states that gious denomination. In the Neth- did not regard pain and symptoms ‘A sense of deep communion with erlands, where the proportion of as the main reasons for asking for the rest of nature cannot be real if patients with amyotrophic lateral assisted suicide. What motivated our hearts lack tenderness, com- sclerosis (ALS) who choose the them was ‘fear of the future, fear passion and concern for our fel- option of assisted suicide is quite of loss of dignity, a lack of inde- low human beings’ (LS, n. 91). high (i.e., 20% in 1994-1998 and pendence in daily activities and In fact, when God has given 17% in 2000-2005), this decision bodily functions’.10 Interesting- life we have to care for it. When was related to an a-religious out- ly, most of these decisions were each and every year ‘thousands of look, a higher educational sta- pre-illness decisions. Maybe we plant and animal species’ disap- tus, and dying at home, but not are encountering here a fear of pear – why don’t we care? When to quality of care or depressive being disappointed by the treat- every day human beings with all symptoms.7 ment options of the medical sys- their potentials, dreams and ex- Katharina Schuler critical- tem and the support capacities of pectations die, because of hunger, ly commented that none of the friends and relatives. If this is the war, suicide or social isolation – opinion polls asked about the case, what are we really encoun- why don’t we care? Do we at least more critical point of how to de- tering when fear prevents people pray for them? What about our cide when even the best palliative from the possibility of experienc- responsibility to care for God’s medicine and best pastoral care ing that others might nevertheless creation and all its inhabitants? cannot provide a high quality of care for them and stay close with Not only will ‘thousands of spe- life as assured by a hospice foun- them even during dark times? cies will no longer give glory to dation.8 Autonomy to decide at We should remember the mov- God by their very existence, nor the end of life is seen as important ing story of Ronan Porat from convey their message to us’ (LS, and most people would agree that Israel who was diagnosed with n. 33), but also many human be- fear of endless suffering and be- ALS at the age of thirty, and met ings ‘will no longer give glory to ing left alone helpless is an anx- the ‘love of his life’ Tali ‘when he God by their very existence, nor iety-inducing prospect. In fact, thought all that was left for him convey their message to us’ (LS, in several cases the situation of was to lie in bed with artificial res- n. 33). people calling for help in dying is piration, being fed through tubes, Maybe the question is not undeniably, devastatingly awful. motionless and unable to speak, whether assisted suicide should When you are empathic and com- and forced to wait for the arrival be permitted or not (I think we are passionate you have to face up to of the angel of death’. In fact, he quite clear about this), but how it this horrible situation in order to met his ‘angel of love’ who mar- is that society has failed and hu- find a good answer. ried him later on.11 man beings have to ask for assist- It is surely true that ‘nothing ed suicide and what can be done and no one can in any way per- to ensure that there is no need to mit the killing of an innocent hu- Implications of the Encyclical request assisted suicide? man being, whether a foetus or an Letter Laudato Si’ for the embryo, an infant or an adult, an Question of Assisted Suicide old person, or one suffering from The Advocates of Life an incurable disease, or a person One can read some phrases who is dying. Furthermore, no from Pope Francis’ encyclical let- We certainly need advocates one is permitted to ask for this ter Laudato Si’ in the light of what of life and educators who cred- act of killing, either for himself has been said above in a new way: ibly convince the next genera- or herself or for another person ‘Our insistence that each human tions (and ours too) that every- entrusted to his or her care, nor being is an image of God should one is of worth, that everyone is can he or she consent to it, either not make us overlook the fact that needed, and that each and every explicitly or implicitly. Nor can each creature has its own purpose. person makes the difference. ‘Be any authority legitimately recom- None is superfluous. The entire cause all creatures are connected, mend or permit such an action’.9 material universe speaks of God’s each must be cherished with love However, what should be done love, his boundless affection for and respect, for all of us as living when a suffering person argues us’ (LS, n. 84). creatures are dependent on one that there is no meaning anymore What about suffering people another’ (LS, n. 42), as the encyc- in his or her life because of his or who cannot feel God’s love, who lical letter Laudato Si’ observes. her depressive loneliness? What are unable to experience our sol- ‘This basic awareness would should be done when the suffer- idarity and compassionate sup- enable the development of new ing person says ‘I can’t stand this port, who cannot see that their convictions, attitudes and forms suffering anymore; it is too much lives and even their dying may of life. A great cultural, spiritual

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and educational challenge stands In Mahayana Buddhism, Bo- so think of establishing a link be- before us, and it will demand that dhisattva Avalokiteshvara is an tween pastoral workers and an as- we set out on the long path of re- archetypical ideal of compas- sociated network of intercessors. newal’ (LS, n. 202) . sion.14 The names of its Chinese For those who are lonely and suf- Pope Francis argues for ‘envi- (Guanyin), Korean (Kwan Um) fer, we need compassionate palli- ronmental education’ and this im- and Japanese (Kanzeon) expres- ative and pastoral care with pro- plies that everything is connect- sions can be translated as ‘Lis- fessional structures and trained ed in God. But it seems we have tener to the Voices of the World’. pastoral and medical experts, and forgotten this fundamental truth. Legend has it that as an enlight- also an initiative of intercessory Thus, ‘It needs educators capable ened being the Bodhisattva decid- prayers by the ordained and by of developing an ethics of ecol- ed to return again and again to the lay persons with a specific com- ogy, and helping people, through realms of the suffering world until mission by the Church. When the effective pedagogy, to grow in all feeling beings were redeemed. lonely, suffering and those who solidarity, responsibility and com- Again and again the Bodhisattva may ask for assisted suicide real- passionate care’ (LS, n. 210). returns to care selflessly for the ly know that there is a network of We can refer to a statement of suffering and dying, and needs intercessors who do care and pray the Catholic bishops of Japan: to have thousands of hands, eyes for them as well, then they may ‘To sense each creature singing and ears.15 Maybe ours, as well. feel acknowledged and comforted the hymn of its existence is to This ideal of unlimited compas- – and not forgotten. live joyfully in God’s love and sion is the strict opposite of any Whatever we may expect, it is hope’,13 also to persons who ask self-centred attitude, and inspires true that ‘Intercession unites our for assisted suicide. We have to people to care because we are not hearts with the people and places ask again why for some people separated. You and I are not dif- we pray for’.18 Thus, we help oth- their song of life became faint – ferent. ers – and our hearts too. or why their hope disappeared. A further ideal from other re- And this would be a true ‘cul- Maybe we have simply forgotten ligious traditions is tikkun olam, ture of care’ instead of a ‘throwa- to listen to their silent hymns and the Jewish concept of helping to way culture’, as recommended by to remind them that their song is repair the world and to establish Archbishop Zimowski, the Presi- worthwhile. the future world.16 For Rabbi Jill dent of the Pontifical Council for How can we change our minds Jacobs, this concept refers not on- Health Care Workers.19 and rediscover our connection ly to the material world but also with God and with all living be- to moral and ethical change and ings which, indeed, need our soli- spiritual sensitivity.17 darity and compassionate care? The encyclical letter Laudato Notes The encyclical letter says: ‘This Si’ embraces both the Bodhisat- 1 Friedrich Nietzsche: Thus Spake Za- contemplation of creation allows tva ideal and the tikkun olam con- rathustra. A Book for All and None (trans- us to discover in each thing a cept and recommends that we can lated By Thomas Common). Chapter 21; http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1998/1998- teaching which God wishes to all develop and foster specific at- h/1998-h.htm hand on to us, since “for the be- titudes to heal the world: ‘First, it 2 http://www.dak.de/dak/download/For- liever, to contemplate creation is entails gratitude and gratuitous- sa-Umfrage_zur_Sterbehilfe-1358250.pdf 3 http://www.ifd-allensbach.de/uploads/ to hear a message, to listen to a ness, a recognition that the world tx_reportsndocs/KB_2014_02.pdf paradoxical and silent voice”’ is God’s loving gift, and that we 4 http://www.wernerschell.de/Rechtsal- (LS, n. 85). are called quietly to imitate his manach/Heilkunde/Langzeitstudie_ BPK05.pdf This means that we need to generosity in self-sacrifice and 5 http://www.wernerschell.de/Rechtsal- change our mind-set first and cul- good works…It also entails a lov- manach/Heilkunde/Langzeitstudie_ tivate spiritual awareness, and ing awareness that we are not dis BPK05.pdf 6 http://www.dghs.de/fileadmin/user_ with this attitude of consciousness connected from the rest of crea- upload/Dateien/PDF/Forsa-Umfrage_2012- we can engage in concrete com- tures, but joined in a splendid w.pdf passionate care for others in need universal communion’ (LS, n. 7 Maessen M., Veldink J.H., On- wuteaka-Philipsen B.D., de Vries J.M., – and discover God’s love and 220). Wokke J.H., van der Wal G., van den teaching. Yet, changing people’s Berg L.H.:‘Trends and determinants of mind-set is a difficult task. It not end-of-life practices in ALS in the Nether- only requires cognitive awareness, Outlook lands’, Neurology 2009;73(12): 954-961. 8 http://www.zeit.de/online/2005/43/ it also needs a concrete encounter Sterbehilfe with the suffering world and sub- Finally, we are called to open 9 Congregation for the Doctrine of the sequently a strong intention to be- our eyes anew, not only to ‘dis- Faith, Declaration on Euthanasia (5 May 1980) http://www.vatican.va /roman_curia / come active. Living in our private cover the action of God in the congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_ secure havens is comfortable, but soul, but also to discover God in cfaith_doc_19800505_euthanasia_en.html the real world is around us. Eco- all things’ (LS, n. 233). 10 Gamondi C., Pott M., Payne S., ‘Families’ experiences with patients who logical education and caring for With this attitude we can face died after assisted suicide: a retrospective others means to see thousands the world – and we have to find interview study in southern Switzerland’, of possibilities of helping, and a an answer when a suffering per- Ann Oncol. 2013; 24(6): 1639-1644. 11 http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7 commitment to face the suffering son asks for assisted suicide. 340,L-3602647,00.html world – the True Face of Christ. With this attitude we could al- 12 Encyclical letter Laudato Si’ of the Ho-

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ly father Francis on care for our common 15 Büssing A., ‚Zuwendung zum anderen Jewish Law and Tradition (Jewish Lights, home, June 18, 2015. – Die Geisteshaltung des Bodhisattvas’, in 2010). 13 Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ja- Belschner W., Büssing A., Piron H., Wien- 18 Mike Bickle, Growing in Prayer. A pan, ‘Reverence for Life. A Message for the and-Kranz D. (eds.), Achtsamkeit als Le- real-life guide to talk with God (Creation Twenty-First Century’ (1 January 2000), 89. bensform) LIT-Verlag, Frankfurt, 2007). House, 2014). 14 Taigen Dan Leighton, Faces of Com- Pp. 69-84. 19 Zygmunt Zimowski, ‘Presentation’, passion: Classic Bodhisattva Archetypes 16 http://www.biu.ac.il/js/rappaport/Re- XXX International Conference ‘Culture of and Their Modern Expression – An Intro- search/PDF/Hoveret%2015_01-56.pdf Salus and Welcome at the Service of Man duction in Mahayana Buddhism (Wisdom 17 Rabbi Jill Jacobs, There Shall Be No and the Planet’, Pontifical Council of Health Publications, 2012). Needy: Pursuing Social Justice through Care Workers, November 19-21, 2015, p. 4.

2. Joy and Peace, the Foundation of an Ecological Spirituality

Bro. Michael ed within daily life, and which a landed aristocracy, an emerging A. Perry, OFM opened the eyes of the heart and merchant class, and a religious Minister General and Servant, mind to see a very different real- institution (the Church) that was the Order of Friars Minor ity that is present, capable of ex- caught in the middle, indulging at pressing a truth that cannot be times in the pursuit of power. The conveyed through technological, first intuition that Francis of As- sanitized, efficient instruments sisi slowly came to discover was and practices. The mysticism un- that of his understanding of the Introduction derstood by St. Francis was rela- universe as an ecology of brother- tional; it led him to embrace all hood/sisterhood. The second dis- Be praised, my Lord, through those who were excluded in so- covery was a vision of humanity’s all your creatures, ciety, marginalized, and the cre- privileged place within this uni- especially through my lord ated universe. For St. Francis, his verse, a place that also bears with Brother Sun, mysticism was grounded in the re- it tremendous responsibility. The who brings the day; and you lationship he was called to share third intuition of Francis of Assisi give light through him. with the earth he called Mother was the awareness of the gift this And he is beautiful and radiant and fired by the joy and the peace vision can be for all of humanity, in all his splendor! its vision gave him – a joy and a and especially for those called to Of you, Most High, he bears the peace that he invites us to embrace fulfill a vocation as healers in a likeness. as our own today. Pope Francis al- wounded, dis-eased world. so has expressed on many occa- Many of us recognize these sions that the mystical and con- words. Those present here who templative dimension of life open The Ecology of Brotherhood/ are Italians memorized them in within us the path towards a great- Sisterhood middle school. Do not worry, I er capacity to embrace, love, and am not here to test your memory care for one another and for all Brother sun, sister moon; broth- or understanding of the Canticle of creation – cf. “Interview with er wind, sister water; sister death. of the Creatures, which was com- Pope Francis,” Fr. Antonio Spa- This way of speaking rings with posed by St. Francis of Assisi in daro, https://w2.vatican.va/con- the imaginative language of po- 1225-26. Rather, I recall these tent/francesco/en/speeches/2013/ etry. For St. Francis, though, this lines from the first poem writ- september/documents/papa-franc- language, beautiful as it may be, ten in Italian, in order to open the esco_20130921_intervista-spada- was simple and unvarnished. It mystical vision of their author as ro.html. described reality as it really is, as a gift to all of you in your voca- To describe this embrace of God has seen it from the very motion as health care workers. joy and peace, I propose to speak ment He called it into being: His Mysticism. To many living in about the following three expe- beloved children, human beings, the contemporary, globalized con- riences or intuitions that trans- organic and inorganic materials, text of the world today, this word formed the life of Francis of As- sisters and brothers to one anoth- might seem obscure, irrelevant sisi, who was born into a family er. In fact, in the first nine verses and perhaps even frightening. For that possessed material and po- of the Canticle of the Creatures, St. Francis, mysticism was a prac- litical power, a society that was St. Francis does not once mention tical reality, something that erupt- torn apart by competing forces – human beings but focuses exclu-

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sively on the created universe, terhood/brotherhood, we give it light of his Christian faith, that thanking God for the harmony room to be by being who we are: this is who we really are: living that the creatures express towards living images of our loving God images of God’s creative Word of one another, in service of praise to and bearers of the responsibility love. We unite our vocation with the Creator. to care for all human beings and that of all of creation, as beloved St. Francis was a convinced and for all of creation as God cares for sisters and brothers, to praise God convicted Christian. He believed us. This was St. Francis’ intuition by living as His children and to in the doctrine of creation with all of an ecology of brotherhood/sis- open ourselves to receive the fur- his heart. It opened his eyes to see- terhood that took concrete form ther gift of a share in God’s own ing the entire universe as having in a globalization of fraternitas: life. This is how God sees us, and been born from the transcendent all things living called to share in this is the life which God has nev- love of God. In love God called it the one vocation of helping one er ceased calling us to live: to do into being, and in love God calls another to fulfill the mission to us, truly and completely, by fol- it to be itself – to give thanks for give praise to God by simply be- lowing in the footsteps of His the gift of its life, in all its splen- ing who we have been created to Word of love made flesh, Jesus did diversity, by living the gift it be, with and for one another. It Christ. received, freely and without pre- is of this same reality that Pope This vision of an ecology of tense. In his poem As Kingfishers Francis writes, quoting the bish- brotherhood/sisterhood that filled Catch Fire, that most Franciscan ops of Japan: “To sense each crea- St. Francis created the conditions of Jesuits, Gerald Manley Hop- ture singing the hymn of its exist- for him to reach out to all in an act kins, described this vision beauti- ence is to live joyfully in God’s of mercy and reconciliation, two fully – as I am sure Pope Francis, love and hope” (Laudato Si’ 85). necessary conditions for coming also a Jesuit, has done in his En- into an experience of unbounded cyclical Laudato Si’. joy and peace. All who are pre- As kingfishers catch fire, drag- Words of the Word sent have, perhaps, tasted such onflies draw flame; joy and peace in the medical and As tumbled over rim in roundy Convinced and convicted pastoral care of those who are ill, wells Christian that he was, St. Francis who are dis-eased. It is the joy Stones ring; like each tucked also believed with all his soul that that comes from knowing who string tells, each hung bell’s while we may be last in the order you are even as you place your Bow swung finds tongue to of creation, we nonetheless hold talents at the service of God and fling out broad its name; a privileged place within it. After God’s people; it is the peace that Each mortal thing does one all, it was not of sun and moon that flows from the freedom of living thing and the same: God said, “Let us create [them] in without pretense, living in sim- Deals out that being indoors our image. (Gn 1:26)” It was of plicity and humility, witnessing each one dwells; us: “God created humankind in the glory of God come alive in the Selves – goes itself; myself it His image; in the divine image He healing process, a process that is speaks and spells, created them; male and female He filled with mercy and the power Crying, What I do is me: for created them. (Gn 1:27)” What is of reconciliation. In a word, it is that I came. more, it was not with a wisp of the joy and peace born from see- wind or a drop of water that God ing, as St. Francis saw so clearly, Paraphrasing the Jesuit poet told His children about His desire that what a person is before God, Hopkins, what each of us do is us; to draw us to Himself and share that a person is and nothing more for this God created us, each and with us the glory of His own eter- – and nothing less. (cf. Adm. XX) every one of us: brother sun to nal life. Rather, when the full- We are children of God. We are bring in the day and sister moon ness of time had come, He spoke sisters and brothers with all crea- to illumine the night, brother this life-giving Word in the way tion, as an expression of what the wind to make the trees dance and He had always intended to give Catechism of the Catholic Church sister water to refresh us, and dear it voice: in the flesh and blood of intends where it states: “God sister death to lead us home. Cre- our own humanity, “and we saw wills the interdependence of crea- ation, in the mind of St. Francis, his glory, the glory as of the Fa- tures… Creatures exist only in de- gave witness to a harmony of re- ther’s only Son, full of grace and pendence on each other, to com- lationships, a reciprocal vocation truth. (Jn 1:14)” plete each other, in the service of respect one for the other, even In this light, it is clear that St. of each other” (no. 340). We are to give their lives for one anoth- Francis was not speaking with his the caretakers of this ecology of er so that all might live and fulfill head in the clouds when he ad- brotherhood/sisterhood. We are their mission of giving praise to monished us to keep in mind “the living images of God’s love, mer- God. And us? What about us? As wondrous state in which the Lord cy, and reconciling presence in these sisters and brothers glorify God has placed you, for He creat- the world. We are “words,” (vis- God by being who they are, and ed you and formed you to the im- ible expressions) so to speak, of so in their diversity of voices sing age of His beloved Son according the Word (Logos) in whom God to us of God’s creative love, so to the body, and to His likeness is uniting the world to Himself, too we do us: we uphold the dig- according to the spirit (Adm. V).” forever. It is here that we can see nity of this created ecology of sis- St. Francis saw clearly, in the the gift this vision can be for you

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as healers in a broken world. It is beds, close to the earth they call – might live and fulfill the voca- here where mercy, pardon, and “home” and reaching back to the tion to which we and all of crea- reconciliation meet, embrace, and homes, the villages, the commu- tion have been called. explode upon the world. I would nities to which they long to re- I believe that when allow God like to explore this briefly by way turn. And there is still more to to provoke within us a journey of of a story. see: families and friends, priests conversion, a conversion that fun- and pastors, village elders and lo- damentally involves the embrac- cal healers. In a word, we see all ing of an ecology of brotherhood/ Creating Places of Wholeness the members of the ecology of sisterhood, we will discover the brotherhood/sisterhood to which tools or keys for unlocking the In the Democratic Republic of these people belong, reverently power of God’s joy and peace in Congo where I worked for ten re-created in their hospital rooms our lives. This conversion will years, I experienced countless so that they might be made whole necessarily lead us to a simplifica- expressions of God’s ecology of again – restored and reconciled to tion of our lifestyles, “free of the brotherhood/sisterhood on a regu- the joy and peace that comes from obsession with consumption,” al- lar (indeed, daily) basis. This was knowing that they are children of lowing to grow within us the con- particularly true whenever I en- the God who has vouchsafed the viction that “less is more,” (Laud- tered one of the local Christian- gift of eternal life for all His chil- ato si, no. 222). In the language operated hospitals and dispensa- dren in the flesh and blood of His of St. Francis of Assisi, he speaks ries to visit sisters and brothers Son. of ‘sine proprio’, of appropriat- from our local community. These Yes, there were many people ing nothing for ourselves because women and men were diseased in who never walked out of those all is gift, all belongs to God and more ways than one. Certainly, hospitals. Yes, I watched many is offered to us so that we might there was the illness that wracked sisters and brothers die due to a grown in our humanity, in our ca- their bodies, but there was al- lack of the tests and procedures pacity to care for one another and so the dis-ease, an overwhelm- and medications that we take for care for the planet. In the words ing sense that their entire world granted. I witnessed some fami- of Pope Francis, “Even living on was out of order, not in harmo- lies who were unable to embrace little, (we) can live a lot, above all ny, which threatened their minds the death of their loved one be- when (we) cultivate other pleas- and hearts: feelings of being cut cause, I believe, they had never ures and find satisfaction in fra- off from their families, friends, come to the experience of what ternal encounters (an ecology of and village communities; from it means to live in an ecology of brotherhood/sisterhood), in ser- their ancestors, from the spirit brotherhood/sisterhood, the same vice, in developing (our) gifts…” forces that gave life to the natu- as expressed in the Gospel narra- (Laudato si’, no. 223). ral world, and cut off from God. tives where Jesus, his disciples, These spiritual forces are not di- and the family participate in the vorced from God but are expres- miracle of healing and restor- Conclusion sions of the faithful presence ing to life of those who were ill, of God, of God’s love and care. dis-eased, or who had died (cf. What gift does the mystical vi- When human relationships break Mt. 12:22-24; Mk. 10:46-52; Jn. sion of St. Francis hold out to us? down, people no longer experi- 5:2-15; Lk. 17:11-19), and which His vision of the universe as the ence spiritual forces as something St. Francis came to experience in free creation of a loving God? positive and joy-producing but his life. At the same time, I saw His belief that sun and moon, rather as life-threatening and joy- countless people welcome death wind and water, even death are robbing. As poor and as desperate as a sister with the same dignity our sisters and brother? His faith as these hospitals could be, nev- – yes, the same peace and abid- that Jesus Christ is the one who ertheless they were truly places ing joy – with which they had em- truly and fully shows us how to of healing, mercy, and reconcilia- braced life. Why? Because they be living images of God’s love in tion – patients, their dis-eased sis- knew that they belonged to a fra- and for all creation? I believe it ters and brothers, could be made ternity, a family, which flowed is this: seeing that what the Most whole again. from the heart of God, from God’s high and glorious, all-good God What do I mean? Come in- love and reconciling mercy. Even has called you to do as healthcare to the room with me. What do in death, their lives gave praise to professionals is something you do we see? Doctors, nurses, medi- the One from whom all life and best by doing you for each and cal professions, and all the tools every good comes, and this in no every person God entrusts to your of the trade: heart monitors, IV small part to the “world” recre- care. With all your heart, be their bags, flip-charts – everything ated for them by the sisters and sister. With all your soul, be their we expect to see. And more: we brothers they called my doctor, brother. Allow them to see in you see crosses hanging on the wall my nurse, my care-giver. Even the joy and peace that belongs to where patients can see them; Bi- the creatures we consume in order them as God’s beloved children, bles written in any one of a num- to sustain our life offer their own and help create a space where- ber of languages resting at their form of praise to God through the in they might welcome these as bed sides; symbols of their ances- giving of their lives in order that gifts from God for their human tors lovingly placed under their others – in this case human beings pilgrimage. “We are speaking of

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an attitude of the heart, one which full, “writes Pope Francis (Laud- things in God who calls us to live approaches life with serene atten- ato si’, no. 226). In these ways, an ecology of brotherhood/sister- tiveness, which is capable of be- you will do your part in bringing hood as the perfect expression of ing fully present to someone with- some measure of healing and res- the joy and peace that is God’s out thinking of what comes next, toration to our broken world. In gift offered without limit or dis- which accepts each moment as a this way, we will all participate in tinction to all of creation. Lauda- gift from God to be lived to the the healing and reconciling of all to si’, o mi Signore!

3. Towards Ecological Pastoral Care Founded on Man’s Reconciliation with Himself, the Creation and God

H.E. Msgr. Gregor An intrinsic nexus exists between cio-political struggle for a change Maria Hanke, O.S.B. the two things. Instead, the Bible in consciences. The appeals, the Bishop of Eichstätt, and Christian traditions interpret warnings or the transmission of Germany the creation as the home of life, notions about the dramatic char- in which God has assigned a place acter of the crisis of the environ- to man together with other crea- ment have still had insufficient wareness about the crisis tures. Man, created in the image effects. Ecological pastoral care Aof the environment, which and likeness of God, has a special directs its gaze to man and seeks has been caused by the action of responsibility – he must serve. In to explore the spiritual riches of man and faith in limitless eco- this sense, a process of true hu- the Church and her long history nomic growth, is a relatively re- manisation has been imposed on of spirituality. cent fact. The first critics of limit- man. The invitation to follow a life- less economic growth of the Club Given that it is man who pro- style in conformity with the Gos- of Rome about fifty years ago jects his uncontrolled greed and pel in various ascetic traditions were still convinced that aware- his internal asymmetries onto the has always aimed at the conver- ness – which could be transmit- human throng and the environ- sion of man, his changing di- ted to men – of the imminence of ment, ecological pastoral care rection and his transformation. an environmental collapse would, must start from man and his inter- However, spiritual tradition did due to man’s instinct for surviv- dependence with other men. It has not want this process of transfor- al, lead to a new way of think- to point out concrete pathways mation, with all its ascetic con- ing which in turn would lead to a for the peace of man with him- crete expressions, to be guided change in lifestyles. This predic- self and peace with men, as well by fear. It was a matter of foster- tion did not come true. As regards as foster their concord with the ing the affirmation of the force questions connected with protec- creation. The basic requirement of attraction of life that is tru- tion of the environment, too often for this is man’s peace with God. ly good, according to the divine people move within two ethical The principal need, therefore, is command: ‘we shall become ma- systems of reference that con- for ecological pastoral care, and ture people, reaching to the very tradict each other. High ideals, only subsequently pastoral care height of Christ’s statute’ as we rigorous rules and obligatory re- of ecology, with models for con- read in the Letter to the Ephe- quirements, above all if imposed crete action as an expression of sians (Eph 4:13). That goodness on others, are at times opposed the work of the Church in favour that descends from God is what by approaches of an exaggerated of the environment. ecological pastoral care will seek materialist kind in people’s own to place at the centre of attention. lives. The creator placed in the creation Pope Francis in his encyclical Man as a Point of Reference what led the Greek translators to Laudato Si’ has recently empha- for Ecological Pastoral Care translate the word ‘good’ with sised the reciprocal relationship ‘beautiful’ in the first account of between the destruction and use Ecological pastoral care will the creation in the Book of Gen- without scruples of nature and the take into account the experiences esis: ‘And God saw all that he irresponsible exploitation of man. of the past in the field of the so- had done, and behold it was very

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beautiful’.1 Indeed, the good of serves in our society as regards ty which escapes the trap of the God is also beautiful. other luxury goods as well. On the connection that exists between Ecological pastoral care seeks other hand, this approach fosters a technical-economic progress and to introduce the wealth of spir- demanding attitude towards med- ‘always having more’, with the itual tradition, but above all else icine, medical doctors and medi- promise of happiness. The emp- also of the ascetic tradition, in- cal treatment. With this demand- tied self – which experts in so- to the daily limit experiences of ing attitude man forgoes a notable cial ethics talk about – moves man in this home of life. I am led part of his self-responsibility for towards the outside and obtains to start with the limit experienc- health, transferring the question hope from this kind of self-ful- es that man makes with his own broadly to the responsibility of filment. The strength of human home, with his own body, and/ medicine, medical doctors, etc., beings must allow a responsible or with his own psycho-somatic who are placed under the pressure and lasting utilisation of the crea- constitution, but above all else of success. tion of God. This is the strength with the crisis of health, with ill- Despite this, the cult of health that allows forgoing and shar- ness. The violent shaking of this directed towards fitness, to a ing, managing to recognise lim- house is perceived by man in young look and to medicine, does itations, although seeing life as an existential sense. The crisis not manage to remove from man a valuable good. The simple in- of an illness is understood as a his fear of illness. As excessive structions for use of ecology, in great challenge and is accompa- expectations cannot be met, in the the form of appeals laws, order nied by the search for a positive difficult existential situation of and prohibitions, however nec- overcoming of it and often with being infirm the feelings of sense- essary they may be, require a a question about meaning. Many lessness and their various shad- control, as a result of which they usual concepts are called into ings appear even more threaten- are not in themselves sustain- question. However, as a rule, ill- ing. able. However, where does the ness, differently from the crisis of A vision of health that descends strength of human beings come the large home, in the home of the from the Christian image of man from? life of the creation, is not caused starts from a deeper basis. Health directly by man. However, such is that strength of human beings fundamental experiences of man which allows them to adapt to Brotherhood with the Creation offer ecological pastoral care changes in their conditions and is Rooted in the Relationship points of departure for achieving life environments (to the differ- with Christ greater comprehensibility. This ent stages of life, to weakness bridge between the first home of and strength, to joy and pain) and Ecological pastoral care must man and the creation as a home of to manage them. Man is thus at- make Christology its hermeneu- life is, for the Pontifical Council tributed a strength which, despite tic base, that Christology which for Health Care Workers, a good the reduction or the loss of what reveals to man that an encoun- place to discuss ecological pasto- in general is seen as quality of ter and relationship with Christ is ral care. life, enables him to find a posi- the basis of brotherhood between tive approach to life, as a result man and the creation. With the ad- of which he also manages to ac- vent of Christ who became flesh, A Deeper Understanding cept ‘less’ with joy. The character God revealed that the creation has of Health of the gift of life becomes live- a purpose. It is ordered aiming at able and is not sacrificed to de- Christ. The author of the hymn to Through their own ways of manding thinking. the Colossians meditates on the speaking about health, many peo- With his strength nourished mystery of Christ in the creation: ple express the fact that they un- by his sense of life inside him, ‘For it was by God’s own decision derstand it as a wellbeing char- man becomes capable of adapt- that the Son has in himself the acterised by a state of absence of ing himself to different environ- full nature of God. Through the pain and conflict, or anyway at ments through which he is led by Son, then, God decided to bring the least by the possibility of min- his own life’s pathway. To the ba- the whole universe back to him- imising damage of any kind. This sic Christian vision of health be- self. God made peace through his concept of health derives from longs the search for this interior Son’s blood on the cross and so the modern search for happiness spring of strength which, in the brought back to himself all things, which is based upon the absence ultimate analysis, springs from both on earth and in heaven’ (Col of pain and suffering in life. Ac- man’s relationship with God. 1:19-20). The creation is not a cording to this vision, health be- The strength of being human be- heap of matter; it is not a quarry comes an article of consumption, ings requires a broader horizon for the needs of men. The creation a merchandise that has to be of- of meaning. It is from here that belongs to Christ, even though it fered by medicine. one should bend the bow towards must offer to man a basis to en- On the one hand, the wish for ecology and/or ecological pas- sure his existence. health involves many forms of toral care. It must provoke that We, who have been baptised treatment on the basis of a marked strength of men in the interior in the name of Jesus Christ, cult of the body and physical fit- of men so that man understands are brothers and sisters of he to ness, on a par with what one ob- that life is a gift of God and beau- whom everything in heaven and

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earth leads back. On our relation- here protected. St. Francis of As- and above all his greed. A suitable ship with Christ depends broth- sisi lived in an exemplary way a possibility by which to achieve erhood with the creation. This brotherhood with man and nature this is certainly personal spiritual marks out Christians in terms of which sprang from his relation- accompanying. our commitment to the creation ship with God. His union with An individual must perceive from those ecologistic approaches the Lord was even visible physi- his own ideas, his own false long- which, because of fear about the cally through his stigmata. From ings, his own false feelings and future, launch appeals for the sav- this union lived with Christ, for his own guilt and heal them in ing of resources, wanting to pre- whom the world was created, the the light of God. The rhythm, the scribe forms of conduct to men sun, the moon, water, all creatures structure, the order of life that is whose principal goal is the con- and even death became his sis- to say, in this case can be of help. servation of the natural heritage. ters and brothers. His canticle to One experience of monasticism is Faith in Christ changes the vision the sun is a testimony to his re- that interior order leads to exterior of life. Indeed, in him we feel that lationship of love with Christ by order. Our interior processes must we are the beneficiaries of a gift, which the whole of the creation contemporaneously find concrete loved by God and thus able to live became his family. As a person expression in practical everyday this relationship itself. The yearn- suffering physically, in this hymn life, in mutual behaviour, and in ing to possess is the opposite of he left us a wonderful testimony the management of the good that this relationship. Our orientation to brotherhood with the whole of has been entrusted to us, respect- towards Christ, as the centre of the creation. From this also comes ing the creation. Ecological pasto- the creation, seeks to free us from human ecology, to employ a mod- ral care will also allow, therefore, all the ties of having to have. ern term for respect for the dig- man to make himself accessible Christ, as an event of encounter, nity of every human being, born to the social dimension of his be- heals our inner selves in which or near to being born, efficient or haviour and his sin. How impor- thoughts grow that – transmut- old and weak. The idea of broth- tant this aspect is, is demonstrated ed into acts – upset violently the erhood between man and the crea- by the aporia in which we have equilibrium of the creation. Thus tion, therefore, is something that been placed through increasing it is community with Christ that is absolutely Christian. Howev- economic growth and prosperity. calls us to brotherhood, to harmo- er, it can arise only from union If one posited our European pros- ny between man and the creation, with Christ, otherwise our affec- perity as the basis of the standard because the way of liberation tion for the environment will fall of living of the whole world, the from our false selves is opened up into spiritism or into the practice world economy would be fifteen to us. Care for the creation and its of witchdoctors or into a natural- times greater than it is at the pre- proper use become an expression ism that means: everything is na- sent time. of brotherhood. ture and beyond it there is nothing The Christian life from the out- else. If we have become brothers set has been marked by a meas- and sisters of Christ we can see ured and moderate lifestyle. Fol- A Relationship with Christ like the created world as the home of lowing Jesus is not demonstrated the Relationship of Francis God whose finality is Christ. only in the interior change of a baptised person – it is also man- If Christ is the centre of the ifested in daily behaviour and creation and everything has been An Ecology of the Heart lifestyle. The letters of the New created looking to him, then man, Testament offer a rich repertoire specifically because of his rela- The strength of human beings of warnings and exhortations to tionship with Christ, achieves re- is perceived where an ‘ecology of live in modesty without looking spect for, and appreciation of, the the heart’ is practised. As man pro- for the superfluous, wealth, or creation. The relationship with jects his own mental disorder into hyper-saturation and to be ready Christ works for the development the creation, the personal way to- to share and to help. The Fathers of the human being and the person wards a sustainable life begins in of the Church brought out this so- for the good of the home of life of the interiority of man, so to speak cial dimension of faith. Through the creation. However, we need to with an ecology of the heart. For their deliberately simple lifestyle, have spaces and places with con- the same reason, for old monas- Christians have always demon- vincing people, lived models, on ticism the Biblical tradition, the strated that they did not want to the base of which it is possible to surroundings of a convent and a be or could be the possessors of accomplish this relationship with monastery itself were the space the goods of this earth – only their Christ and its outcome – brother- of the presence of God. The stewards. Therefore today we hood with the creation. In his research for God by man is equiv- should at the least establish some lationship with Christ, man can alent to the recognition that God small significant signs of this faith feel that he is the beneficiary of a is searching for men and has also as to remember it, for example gift and loved by God. Man learns ways loved me. Ecological pasto- during Lent, by forgoing food and that this love goes beyond his self ral care, therefore, must find ways through the renewal of our readi- because it unites and even more so that man with his gaze turned ness to engage in sharing. because it is also directed towards trustingly toward God beholds his Through the exercise of an ap- neighbour: the entire creation is weakness, his blameworthiness proach of care and gratitude one

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develops the capacity to manage The Word of God stimuli, the capacity to listen. The in a responsible way food as well in the Creation capacity for spiritual listening, for and live with moderation. Spe- listening to the will of God, is the cifically as regards such an atten- Given that the creation arose requirement for hearing the word tive basic approach of a voluntary from the Word, it is permeated by of God. Spiritual listening is the measured character, it is advisa- the word of God. Reality bears basis of spiritual obedience but ble to remember that children and within itself a message. In order also of any true human encounter. young people learn their behav- to recognise this structure of the Listening leads to respect for our iour and their approaches to life world, we must return again to neighbour and for the creation. by example, whether that exam- being able to listen. An omnipres- ple is good or bad. We can set an ent and unceasing flow of super- example for other men, inviting ficial information and images has them to follow our model which made us unable to perceive the Note encourages people to imitate our word of God in the creation. Eco- 1 kaì eùden |o jeèov tèa péanta, $ osa approach and our good ‘new life- logical pastoral care must restore \epoéihsen, kaì \ idoèu kalèa lòan. Gen 1,31 style’. to men, who are submerged by (LXX).

4. A New Contemplative Outlook: the Sacramental Signs and the Celebration of Rest

Prof. Artur Zuk it will demand that we set out on up occasionally, for example at Free lecturer the long path of renewal’.1 As we the second ecumenical meeting at the Faculty of Theology have already heard in the previ- at Graz held in 1997. The Char- of the Catholic University ous papers given at this interna- ta Oecumenica signed by the Eu- of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, tional conference, the Pope means ropean Churches four years later Germany a new direction for the whole of also took up the subject. But apart the lifestyle of individuals, not from the activities of some indi- only in the fields of the environ- viduals or little groups no visible t the beginning of this pa- ment, culture, education, poli- result was achieved.2 Aper I would like to cordially tics and pastoral care, but also in During the Ecumenical Day thank His Excellency Msgr. Zyg- the field of spirituality, with spe- of Munich in Bavaria of 2010, munt Zimowski, the President of cial emphasis on a new vision of which in a striking way placed the the Pontifical Council for Health the sacramental symbols. It is for Orthodox Church at the centre of Care Workers, for his trust in me this reason that my paper is enti- its spiritual and liturgical expe- and his invitation to this thirtieth tled ‘A New Contemplative Out- rience, the working group of the jubilee conference. look: the Sacramental Signs and Christian Churches in Germany The Holy Father Francis begins the Celebration of Rest’. In 1989 (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlich- the sixth chapter of his encycli- (the year of great political chang- er Kirchen – ACK) proclaimed in cal Laudato si’ with the follow- es in Germany and in Europe) the Germany an ecumenical day of ing words: ‘Many things have to Ecumenical Patriarch of Constan- the creation. This day was to be change course, but it is we hu- tinople of that time, Demetrios I, celebrated throughout the national man beings above all who need to invited the Orthodox world, and territory of Germany, if possible change. We lack an awareness of all other Christians, on the first on the first Friday of September, our common origin, of our mutu- September of every year ‘to pray but the individual communities, al belonging, and of a future to be to the Creator of the world: with because of local needs, were to be shared with everyone. This basic prayers of thanksgiving for the able to move the date to another awareness would enable the de- great gift of the creation and with day in September, and at the latest velopment of new convictions, at- prayers of intercession for the even to 4 October. This was a fur- titudes and forms of life. A great protection and the salvation of the ther enrichment provided by the cultural, spiritual and educational world’. This appeal seemed to fall Orthodox Church which begins challenge stands before us, and on deaf ears. The idea was taken the liturgical year in October. At

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the same time we have witnessed the cosmos – of a way of thinking am, Christ, rehabilitates the sacra- a sort of sub-division of work by about, and living, the sacraments, mental character of the world, re- the great ecclesiastical traditions first of all in the holy liturgy, in the habilitates the creation as material to promote Christian responsibil- Eucharist: in addition to the proof a cosmic mystery, as a means ity at an international level. found character of the bloodless of communion between man and The Pope has always felt com- sacrifice of the Son of God which God. And at the same time reha- mitted in a special way to peace in he offered up as a reconciliation bilitates and manifests man as a the world, through his diplomat- between the creature (man) and priest and the wise steward of the ic activities as well. The World his creator (God), the Eucharist creation’.4 Council of Churches, which has is also a banquet, a meal: ‘Man is a strong evangelical direction, al- portrayed as a hungry and thirsty ways speaks out for global jus- being. The bread and the wine, el- 2. Does Orthodoxy Love tice. The Ecumenical Patriarch ements for the daily nourishment Leonardo Boff? of Constantinople, the honorary of man (at least in the Mediterra- (Johannes Röser aks) head of the whole of Orthodoxy, nean area, where, indeed, we now is dedicated to ecology. find ourselves) are blessed and In this broad vision of the sac- The symbolism of baptism and they lead to Koinonia, to com- ramental, this Orthodox theolo- of water has great importance in munity with God. Man needs the gian feels that he is explicitly in the sacramental understanding of bread and the wine of the Eucha- line with the Brazilian theologi- Orthodox spirituality. The Patri- rist, the water of baptism and the an Leonardo Boff who had been arch has taken up this theme and oil of anointing (confirmation, treated with a certain circum- in blessing sees and rivers – such anointing of the sick) to reach spection. Towards the end of the as the Black Sea, the Elbe, and the God. The world, the Creation, be- 1960s in his doctorate at Munich, Amazon – has established a tan- comes the material of man’s com- which was entitled ‘The Church gible religious relationship with munion with God. The respect as a Sacrament on the Horizon the creation, From a Christian and fear with which the Orthodox of the Experience of the World’ point of view, the creation is not Church addresses these elements and was praised by Joseph Ratz- only nature – it is also a divine do not derive from a way of think- inger and proposed for publica- gift. In the ecumenical review ing in terms of ‘magic’ or the tention, as in other writings on the Una Sancta (2/2010), the Greek dency to idolatrise them. They de- doctrine of the sacraments Boff Orthodox theologian and arch- rive, instead, from the profound had pointed out the way to a mod- priest, Georgios Basioudis, who belief that the world, the Creation, ern, illuminated and mystical vi- is active in Mannheim, explained is full of God, that the grace and sion of faith and of life. In this the theological core of the Chris- the love of God and the energies context, the scholar Basioudis tian commitment to ecology, and of the Holy Spirit keep it alive’. observes an important Orthodox- this is more than an adaptation to The blessing of these elements, Catholic linkage and agreement: the secular fashion of the modern explains the archpriest, causes, from this work one can evince world. One is dealing here with a ‘retrieval of their true dimen- ‘an understanding of the world as cooperation between the divine sion because they realise the task a sacrament, and the relationship and the human, between the mate- of their creation, that is to say to of the world with God and with rial and the spiritual. How is God be instruments of the communion man is placed on a rational basis. present in the world? How can the between man and God’.3 The sacramental character of the laws of nature which govern life For this theologian, this as- world is based upon the goodness be transparent so that we can see pect of grace, which is spiritual of the creation, the new paradigm the Holy, the Sublime? For Ba- and dialogic, is at the same time has a positive vision of the world. sioudis, the centre of nature and also something that is very con- It invites man to live in a Eucha- of grace is found in the sacra- crete, of the senses and natural. ristic way. It places emphasis on ments, in particular in the celebra- ‘The Eucharist shows man as God his responsibility for the mainte- tion of the Eucharist. In the physi- wants him to be; as a being who nance of the creation and for re- cal, in the body, is found – as was eats with gratitude for his Creator, spect towards his fellows and all the case with Christ – the moment who absorbs the world in his body creatures’.5 of the incarnation of the eternal and transmutes it into his flesh and In the current concern of the Vat- divine Word. blood. Thus man enters into com- ican, and especially of the Pontifi- munion with God so as to then be cal Council for Promoting Chris- able to work, strengthened by the tian Unity, of the Pope Emeritus 1. The New Contemplative food that he has received. Man is Benedict XVI and Pope Francis Outlook: on Matter, Spirit or a Eucharistic being, and his rela- himself, for a Catholic-Orthodox the Sacraments? tionship with the world is Eucha- link, from a sacramental point of ristic. The world is sacramental, it view as well, it could be produc- Basioudis makes himself the is the material of a cosmic sacra- tive to discover in this context this spokesman from his Orthodox ment. The world is the creation of special vision of the sacramental context of a new decisive assess- God, which because of the sin of signs. Above all, what Boff says ment – but one which is also mod- man ‘suffers labour pains’…and about the Mysterion – the Greek ern and extended to the whole of awaits its renewal…The new Ad- expression is preferred – and on

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its complex expressive power in God the Creator which is at times an Orthodox point of view can the understanding of the Church overly ingenuous. It is probably be tolerated. We hope that in this and Christ is important. Naturally for this reason that Pope Francis field, as well, the new common enough, we do not want to reha- wrote the following words in his contemplative vision of the sacra- bilitate and justify his subsequent encyclical: ‘Encountering God mental signs of the Eucharist will liberation theology but, rather, to does not mean fleeing from this foster a drawing near of the two reflect on this new vision of the world or turning our back on na- Churches, above all else given sacramental signs, because this ture. This is especially clear in that in the encyclical we can read: vision, which lies at the central the spirituality of the Christian ‘It is in the Eucharist that all that point as regards the sacraments, East. “Beauty, which in the East has been created finds its greatest is much nearer to how Ratzinger is one of the best loved names ex- exaltation. Grace, which tends to thinks about mystery than is com- pressing the divine harmony and manifest itself tangibly, found un- monly thought. the model of humanity transfig- surpassable expression when God ured, appears everywhere: in the himself became man and gave shape of a church, in the sounds, himself as food for his creatures. 3. The New Contemplative in the colours, in the lights, in the The Lord, in the culmination of Outlook of the Dynamic of scents”. For Christians, all the the mystery of the Incarnation, Creation creatures of the material universe chose to reach our intimate depths find their true meaning in the in- through a fragment of matter. He Without any doubt, the creation carnate Word, for the Son of God comes not from above, but from is something that is dynamic and has incorporated in his person within, he comes that we might in perpetual development. Physi- part of the material world, plant- find him in this world of ours. In cists and biologists rebuke us for ing in it a seed of definitive trans- the Eucharist, fullness is already having a concept of the creation formation. “Christianity does not achieved; it is the living centre of that is too static, too retrograde, reject matter. Rather, bodiliness is the universe, the overflowing core as if the creation had taken place considered in all its value in the of love and of inexhaustible life. in a remote past. In reality, the liturgical act, whereby the human Joined to the incarnate Son, pre- creation takes places continuous- body is disclosed in its inner na- sent in the Eucharist, the whole ly, in a cosmic sense as well. The ture as a temple of the Holy Spirit cosmos gives thanks to God. In- greatest part of the creation did and is united with the Lord Jesus, deed the Eucharist is itself an act not take place yesterday – it will who himself took a body for the of cosmic love: “Yes, cosmic! Be- take place tomorrow, with new world’s salvation”’.6 cause even when it is celebrated dimensions of energy and new But there is also a bitter aspect: on the humble altar of a country spiritual dimensions that are un- despite the fact that the relations church, the Eucharist is always in expected. The creation is in front between the Catholic Church and some way celebrated on the altar of us with unimaginable energies, Orthodoxy after a long period of of the world”’.7 in a continuous process between distance are becoming positively If, therefore, the Eucharist con- becoming and being consumed. more intense, a document of the joins heaven and earth, embraces How can we celebrate before theological working group of the and penetrates the whole of the God what does not yet exist but Orthodox Bishops’ Conference in creation….should this not be- which will come? How can we Germany requests a certain dis- come an incentive for a new unity celebrate, beyond what is static, tance in liturgical celebrations. of these Churches? It is already immobile and conservative, also This document, which is entitled yearned for. ‘The world which what is progressive, not to speak ‘Prayer in an Ecumenical Per- came forth from God’s hands re- of the creative possibilities that spective’ and was drawn up under turns to him in blessed and undi- God has introduced during the the direction of Professor Assaad vided adoration: in the bread of course of evolution as its own dy- Elias Kattan, places the emphasis the Eucharist, “creation is project- namic? Equally, what does the in a rather defensive and restric- ed towards divinization, towards fact that the creation is not only tive way on the fact that it is not the holy wedding feast, towards beautiful, good and harmonious possible to celebrate the liturgy unification with the Creator him- but also consumption, catastro- in a common way with different self”. Thus, the Eucharist is also a phes, annihilation and decline, confessions. At the utmost there source of light and motivation for mean for our Eucharist of thanks- could be common prayers – that is our concerns for the environment, giving to God? What does the fact to say functions – but not authen- directing us to be stewards of all that our small great world is in tic divine services. In this docu- creation’.8 reality finite, that sooner or later ment it is explained that in the Or- Naturally enough, without re- the ‘plan of creation’ of God and thodox approach ‘liturgy’ refers to fusing to acknowledge all the natural laws between chance and the holy liturgy of the celebration dogmatic, juridical, moral and determination, will fall into ruin, of the Eucharist. For that matter, structural problems of ecumen- mean for our spiritual awareness? it is recognised that the phrase ism (which the Pontifical Coun- Does a liturgical-religious ex- ‘divine service’ in Europe has a cil for Promoting Christian Unity pression not exist for this terrible meaning beyond the Eucharist and attends to in an assiduous way) it sensation? These insistent ques- also refers to common prayers or is specifically the new ecologi- tions reveal an understanding of functions, something which from cal vision and at the time contem-

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plative vision of the sacramental ing, which, as Pope Francis has gether with Prof. Baumann and signs that offers us a further moti- written, does not achieve ‘emp- Prof. Frick, engaged in a very fine vation, a new catalyser, to achieve ty activism’. One is dealing here study of the spirituality of pas- the unity of the Church, to ex- clearly with a new contemplative tors of souls in Germany. He met press in the cosmic event of the vision of this special rest willed priests and lay people who are adoration of the Eucharist not on- by God: ‘Rest opens our eyes to active in pastoral care and have ly the almost romantic and poetic the larger picture and gives us re- to combat illnesses, tiredness or totality of the creation but also the newed sensitivity to the rights of even the syndrome of burn-out. real and existential totality of the others. And so the day of rest, The large majority of the people faithful and the Church so that the centred on the Eucharist, sheds it who were interviewed confirmed prayer of the Lord - Ut unum sint! light on the whole week, and mo- that specifically with the prayers – is answered. tivates us to greater concern for of the hours and the sacraments, nature and the poor’.10 and in particular the Eucharist, In his encyclical Ecclesia in Eu- even when they do not bring the 4. The New Contemplative ropa, that great Pope, St. John Paul peace that is wished for, strength, Outlook of Sunday II, wrote the following words: ‘In- or interior or spiritual growth, deed, were Sunday deprived of its nonetheless confer on the peo- If, therefore, the ‘first day’ of original meaning and it were no ple who were interviewed a ba- the new creation is the day of the longer possible to make suitable sic support for their spirituality. victory of the Lord, namely Sun- time for prayer, rest, fellowship Activism, long meetings, discus- day, then the victory of the Lord and joy, the result could very well sions and administrative activity, must also include its prayer for be that ‘people stay locked with- on the other hand, do not do this. unity. And we celebrate this vic- in a horizon so limited that they In the light of what has been tory every Sunday, unfortunately can no longer see ‘the heavens’. said above we can understand bet- still separated, each Church on its Hence, though ready to celebrate, ter the special features of the life own. But if ‘Sunday is the day of they are really incapable of doing of St. Francis of Assisi and we can the Resurrection, the “first day” so’. And without the dimension of sing with him: ‘God, who calls us of the new creation, whose first celebration, hope would have no to generous commitment and to fruits are the Lord’s risen human- home in which to dwell’.11 give him our all, offers us the light ity, the pledge of the final transfig- The new contemplative outlook and the strength needed to contin- uration of all created reality’, then of the sacramental signs, especial- ue on our way. In the heart of this it is precisely Sunday and its pro- ly of the profound meaning of the world, the Lord of life, who loves found sacramental meaning that Eucharist, as a sacrifice of salva- us so much, is always present. He proclaims the unity desired by the tion of the Son of God, as a source does not abandon us, he does not Lord. of strength for hungry creatures, leave us alone, for he has united The achievement of the end, of who are sated by the gifts of the himself definitively to our earth, the harmony, that is to say the un- Creator, but also as ‘rest’ for tired and his love constantly impels us ion of the creation with its Creator pilgrims who follow their own to find new ways forward. Praise and the union of the faithful with particular vocations, can, and be to him!’12 – Laudato si’, my each other, proclaims at the same must, be included in that divine Lord! time also the definitive purpose commandment: service to one’s of humanity – eternal happiness: neighbour and especially to the ‘“man’s eternal rest in God”. In tired, the weak and the poor. This Notes this way, Christian spirituality in- service receives from its ecologi- corporates the value of relaxation cal dimension a universal mean- 1 Pope Francis, Laudato si’, n. 202. 2 Johannes Röser, Christ in der Ge- and festivity. We tend to demean ing which is addressed not only to genwart, 35 (2010): http://www.christ-in- contemplative rest as something those people who share our faith der-gegenwart.de/aktuell/artikel_angebote_ unproductive and unnecessary, but also to the whole of the crea- detail?k_beitrag=2521526 3 Op. cit. but this is to do away with the tion of God, so that in the end we 4 Op. cit. very thing which is most impor- will find ourselves face to face 5 Op. cit. tant about work: its meaning’.9 with the infinite beauty of God. 6 Laudato si’, n. 235. 7 Laudato si’, n. 236a. Naturally here one is not deal- As scientific proof of these af- 8 Laudato si’, n. 236b. ing with ‘doing sweet nothing’ firmations that I have made in my 9 Laudato si’,n. 237a. but, rather, and above all else, paper, I will refer to the research 10 Laudato si’, n. 237b. 11 Pope St. John Paul II, Ecclesia in Eu- a part of our vocation which re- of the speaker who preceded me, ropa, n. 82. quires another way of behav- Prof. Arndt Büssing, who, to- 12 Laudato si‘, n. 245.

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Saturday 21 November

The Anthropological Roots of the Ecological Crisis

H.E. Msgr. Ignacio In this encyclical the word ‘cri- verum: it follows, rather, the path Carrasco de Paula sis’ is used thirty-two times yet of the generation of the bonum; President of the Pontifical only eleven times is this crisis of good, however, not understood Academy for Life, described as ecological or envi- in a metaphysical sense but in a the Holy See ronmental. The twenty-one other strictly physical sense, that is times it refers to other sources of to say in quantitative more than malaise and imbalance that afflict qualitative terms, and thus with he title that was given to my contemporary society: malaise of calculable statistics, concepts that Tpaper – ‘The Anthropological a social, cultural, ethical-moral, can be measured, compared and/ Roots of the Ecological Crisis’ – spiritual, financial and political or interpreted: profit, efficacy, coincides almost literally with the (and other) kind. functionality, and so forth. For heading of the third chapter of the An analysis of the current eco- the technological paradigm, what encyclical Laudato si’ (on care logical crisis should be structured is important is that things ‘func- for our common home) which – and this is what the encyclical of tion’. Thus successes and defeats was published by Pope Francis the Pope does – around two dis- are assessed according to a fun- on 24 May of last year, the solem- tinct axes: the first is of a descrip- damentally heuristic paradigm: nity of Pentecost. The encyclical, tive character; the second deals what functions automatically is however, employs a more direct with interpretation. On the one perceived as the promoter of well- phrase, one that is less specula- hand, the symptoms, the mani- being, as a factor for happiness, tive, that is to say it speaks about festations, and the phenomeno- etc. Here, however, one must be human roots, as though it intend- logical profile that unveil the dark careful because by its nature the ed to remind us that the subject of face of the crisis should be high- technological paradigm tends the problem is real man, histori- lighted. On the other, the causes, to grant primacy to the ‘part’ cal man, and not a particular para- the reason for the imbalances, and over the ‘whole’, so that a good digm of interpretation. the origins of the wounds inflicted choice, or to put it better a choice Given the restricted availability on our common home should be that functions (for example man- of time, I will refer all those pre- identified. aging to meet everybody’s ener- sent to a reading or re-reading of It is obvious that we cannot gy requirements), can be seen as this text of Pope Francis. For my dwell now on the aspect that de- a sufficient reason to go forward part, I will now make some obser- scribes a phenomenon that is ex- despite the future (that is to say vations which have the not taken tremely complex and generated not immediate) and predictable for granted aim of understanding by many causes, and about which consequences at the level of inju- the thought of Pope Francis on the many old and new disciplines can rious side effects (for example de- subject in a more effective way, express their views. However, as forestation, the destruction of wa- taking into account the context regards the interpretative – or it ter reserves, etc.). offered by this thirtieth interna- would be better to say aetiologi- In other words, the technologi- tional conference of the Pontifical cal – part, here as well, although a cal paradigm, more in facts that in Council for Health Care Workers one-directional reading cannot be intentions, has acted to cover the on ‘The Culture of Salus and Wel- engaged in, it is worthwhile be- dark side of the irresponsible use, come at the Service of Man and ginning by dwelling to a certain and even abuse, of the goods with the Planet’. extent on the approach that Pope which God has enriched and made The pathway that I intend to fol- Francis calls the ‘technological beautiful the common home. It low seems to me to be one that is paradigm’. has allowed a reckless exploita- obligatory: first of all it is neces- The technological paradigm is tion of nature, maltreating it and sary to establish what one means a way of approaching reality that transforming it fallaciously into by the phrase ‘ecological crisis’ so can be ascribed to practical rea- almost an enemy of man. It has that one can then proceed to ex- son. It works according to a log- fostered a perception of the en- plore the certain, or only likely, ic that does not follow the path vironment that is predominantly anthropological roots of this crisis. or the rules of recognising the utilitarian in character: nature has

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become a kind of subjected king- This adjective – ‘responsible’ – potentially capable of razing our dom where man, adopting the role is extremely clarifying inasmuch planet to the ground? If ‘I can, of absolute master, can freely use, as it emphasises that man is au- thus I want to, and therefore I do’ consume and throw away things thorised, indeed called, to act up- is not a complete answer, one has as he wishes. on nature, but not in an arbitrary to continue to look into the heart However, the technological way and even less in an irration- of modern and post-modern man paradigm has been, and contin- al way. Reasonableness, that is for the principal anthropological ues to be, only an instrumental to say the recta ratio in the lan- root of the crisis of the environ- factor. Indeed, the real subject of guage of ethics based upon the ment. the choices and behaviour that humanum (on the nature of man), Pope Francis in n. 6 of Lauda- have led to the current ecologi- must prevail over every other val- to si’, quotes the following words cal crisis is human will, and noth- ue, and in particular over utility of his predecessor Benedict XVI: ing else but the free will of man. and the pleasurable. ‘the deterioration of nature is It should be remembered that ac- Allow me now a short paren- closely connected with the cul- cording to the classical vision, thesis in order to introduce an ture that shapes human coexist- which was taken on by Christi- important perspective. Not many ence’ (Caritas in veritate, n. 51). anity, the freedom of man is not people know that at the origins of The wounds inflicted on the natu- neutral, it is not indifferent, but, the young discipline that I have ral environment are the result of rather, in opposite fashion, it is cultivated for years – bioethics – our irresponsible behaviour, he directed towards good, as a re- the ecological question – together argues, but at the origins of this sult of which every choice that is with other subjects which it would irresponsibility (we could also contrary to true good is seen as a not be appropriate to cite now, say irrationality) is the idea that consequence of a mistake, of an played a decisive role, from the incontestable truths that should error, or of a deception: an un- oncologist Van Rensselaer Pot- guide our lives do not exist, as a happy choice is preceded by the ter, who made the term ‘bioethics’ result of which human freedom perception that something is good popular with his book Bioethics: does not have limitats. One thus when in reality it is not. Thus the Bridge to the Future, to the phi- forgets that ‘man is not only a question about the anthropologi- losopher Hans Jonas and his work freedom which creates itself. Man cal roots of the ecological crisis The Principle of Responsibility. does not create himself’ (Speech is not only pertinent but absolute- Thus care for the environment and to the Deutscher Bunderstag, ly necessary if we want to re-es- the defence of human life and its Berlin, 22 September 2011). He tablish the due balance between dignity are inseparable values, to is the intelligent being that is fur- the tenant and his natural dwell- the point that indifference towards thest away from the myth of the ing, between the man of the third one of them is often accompanied superman. He is rationality but he millennium – with his boundless by contempt for the other. is also nature that is created and demands – and a common home To return to the anthropological loved by God for what he is, that that we should hand over com- roots, the Catholic faith points to is to say frail and imperfect hu- plete, safe and welcoming to fu- a sick root that induces man into man nature, and yet constructed ture generations. Perhaps this is error in perceiving, and above all in the image and likeness of God. why the Holy Father, in number interpreting, reality, and, as a con- If we want to cancel our debt to 118 of Laudato si’ writes: ‘there sequence, leads him to make bad nature, make peace with it and re- can be no ecology without an ad- choices. I am speaking here about construct a relationship of respect equate anthropology’. the doctrine of original sin and the and friendship with it, if we want In the same encyclical Pope injurious consequences for hu- to receive and benefit in the right Francis provides an illuminating man nature derived from the first way from the support and securi- example of error which led to free rebellion against God, in particu- ty that it offers us, it is indispen- but radically mistaken choices: lar the propensity to self-refer- sable to retrieve, both in nature ‘An inadequate presentation of ence, selfishness, ambition, greed, and in man himself, the creative Christian anthropology gave rise etc. However this on its own does and redemptive presence of God. to a wrong understanding of the not seem to be an answer that is Man has received from the Crea- relationship between human be- totally satisfying because the eco- tor God the insuperable dignity of ings and the world. Often, what logical crisis is a historical reality, being His son and the formidable was handed on was a Promethean a problem that we have not inher- task of stewarding the whole of vision of mastery over the world, ited from a remote past, but, rath- the creation. However, he is fun- which gave the impression that er, a phenomenon that has been damentally a redeemed being that the protection of nature was some- produced only in recent times, a cannot save himself on his own; thing that only the faint-hearted phenomenon intimately connect- he is a being who always needs cared about. Instead, our “domin- ed with the currently dominant help. This awareness is indispen- ion” over the universe should be culture – the culture of moderni- sable if he is to rediscover his understood more properly in the ty. Why is this? Is it only because place in nature and interact fruit- sense of responsible stewardship’ man possesses an almost limit- fully with it. God is the only Lord; (n. 116). less technological power which is we are all only free co-workers.

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The Promotion of the Culture of Life of the Planet

Prof. Vertistine al processes that inform civil so- ligence. There are contemporary Beaman Mbaya ciety of new developments that designs that scale up the capabil- Board Member of the may have long-term detrimental ity of machines to perform human Greenbelt Movement, effects, even when they experi- tasks, and already there are com- Kenya ence immediate improvements in puters that operate at speeds many their lives. Therefore, large num- times faster than the neurons of bers of the global populations are the human brain. Such develop- n behalf of the governing ignorant of the potential dangers ments may overwhelm the human Oboard of the Greenbelt Move- associated with some industrial capacity to integrate such equipment, Kenya, I express our appre- innovations and seem complacent ment into the work environment ciation to the Pontifical Council about the impact of new techno- without excessive loss of employ- for Health Care Workers for the logical processes on their health ment, with a resulting econom- invitation to this international or wellbeing. ic disempowerment of large seg- conference. As the representative It seems that most individu- ments of the labour force. of an organisation that strives to als are aware and very concerned Perhaps the biggest thing to persuade a critical mass of ordi- about the dangers to the world of happen in industrial advances nary people to be agents of change a nuclear conflict and of the nu- since the development of the mi- for a healthy environment in their clear winter that could be its after- crochip is the discovery of the localities, I wish to share with you math. Such an event would signal nano-particle which is an even our approaches to that issue and the end of agriculture! But a much smaller object, with diameters less our successes. smaller percentage of the popula- than 10 nano-metres in size. Such The history of life on the plan- tion is familiar with the science of particles are utilised in an array et and of human societies is not genetic engineering. This science, of products like plastics for food necessarily a progressive or pre- which involves the manipulation containers to make them leak- dictable improvement upon some of genetic information, has pro- proof or to hinder the growth of previous state, and the evolu- vided health-care professionals bacteria. They are also the compo- tion of current social structures with tools to treat and eradicate nents of materials for lightweight may have proceeded through a some of the most devastating dis- luggage and for stain-proof fab- series of contingent and fortui- eases that have afflicted mankind. rics. However, the new nanotech- tous events that occurred in vari- However, the same technology is nology could be the source of new ous global regions. Populations utilised in the food industries to risks to health and the environ- of people, like those of other or- incorporate alien substances in- ment. These micro-particles are ganisms, may have adapted to, to common agricultural produce. said to be the new asbestos – and or been constrained by, the mul- The question arises of the suita- with the same possible effects. ti-factorial components of the en- bility of such biochemical modi- Perhaps prior to, and compound- vironment in which they found fications for all people. Perhaps a ing, the fall-out from all of these themselves. Therefore, it is likely greater risk stems from the pos- modern innovations are environ- that the survival of nations (both sibility of ‘bio-engineered pan- mental deteriorations which con- large and small) throughout the demics’. It is within the scope of tribute to climate change and the ages has been the result, to some biotechnology to make diseases, damage associated with it. Conse- extent, of their capacity to inno- which are already in existence, quently, we strive to modify our vate and adapt to most – if not all decidedly worse. This might arise human behaviour to diminish the – of the threats to their existence from an accident! speed at which such change oc- that they encountered. The imple- Precaution is also called for in curs. mentation of their solutions must the expansion of computerisation Because people value conti- have been difficult to achieve and and computer-based artificial in- nuity and their personal free- probably involved a multitude of telligence. The very young, even doms, getting people to consent problems. In this age of human children, cleverly utilise com- to changing their own behaviour history, a number of contempo- puters for academic, social, and and their values in order to avoid rary threats to life as we know it communication purposes. But in some disaster is not an easy task. have been reported and most of spite of the knowledge pertaining But today I will provide some ex- them can be traced back to some to computers that is possessed by amples of the experiences, trials form of human activity. Rapid ordinary members of society, very and practices of a regional organ- advances in science and technol- few people are acquainted with isation with unique successes in ogy often outstrip the education- recent advances in artificial intel- convincing and mobilising a di-

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verse population of local peoples mind, the objectives of the Green- 1990s, as reported by the Kenya to transform some new lifestyles belt Movement as an organisation Forestry Services. and some contemporary values in at the outset included: 1. the pro- It might be said that tradition- order to save their environment. vision of a source of water (paral societies at one time had a At the time of its formation, the ticularly for household use); 2. healthy relationship with the flo- Greenbelt Movement attempted re-afforestation (with the estab- ra and fauna of their natural sur- to address a number of needs and lishment of green areas (the belts); roundings but that the advent of problems that had been brought and 3. the provision of some in- the ‘cash economy’ stimulated a to the attention of its predecessor, come for the most needy. But to change in the values system so which was an environment com- reach the number of people who that the attainment of cash be- mittee. Foremost among these is- wanted to be involved, it was also came the priority. Consequently, sues was the scarcity of water and necessary to mobilise volunteers the ultimate reward of cash has a project revolving around water who did not have these immedi- become an important motivating for health was initiated. But con- ate needs. The sources targeted factor in protecting an environ- comitant with that scarcity was a for these volunteers included: 1. ment. Perhaps this is what we call scarcity of fuel and energy with established women’s organisa- ‘social economics’ today. How- a consequent loss of forests at an tions; 2. Churches; and 3. schools ever, at least two episodes may alarming rate. To foster a change and academic institutions. serve as indicators of changes in in behaviour, it seemed necessary To standardise an approach attitudes with a renewed venera- to pay attention to those factors that all participants could use, tion for a preserved environment. that ensure the persistence of so- the Greenbelt aMovement creat- One such episode related to a city cial and cultural elements in any ed an activity programme of ten forest whose imminent demise society. Quite often social or cul- steps which can be summarised as provoked such a furore that com- tural behaviour persists due to the follows: a) the identification and munity members, well-known absence of a better alternative and registration of interested commu- activists, university students and so a society will continue along nity groups; b) a familiarisation NGOs generated a solid bloc of the same path that leads to a de- of these groups (through special protests and initiatives that led to sired destination and obviously meetings) with the procedures the termination of so-called de- works. There is also a cost fac- that they had to follow in order velopment activities. A similar tor which may impede a change to acquire the resources they re- show of solidarity was displayed in routine. Equally, the socialisa- quired to produce and, subse- in relation to the protection of a tion of members within a society quently, distribute tree seedlings; space that was to be a children’s causes many people to accept and and c) the establishment of a ‘fol- playground. The participants believe that their traditions and low-up’ protocol which allowed a were happy to be part of the ef- culture are precious resources that payment for seedlings/trees that fort to conserve an enjoyable eco- are worth preserving. survived in the distribution zones. system! What began as a cry for It is said that societal change is Such efforts have produced a the protection and conservation of stimulated by hunger and needs. decreased rate of deforestation green spaces has become a social With that kind of thinking in rate of 5.1% since the end of the habit.

A Healthy Environment for an Integral Human Development

H.E. Msgr. Gustavo he Glory of God is that the of Love, a new world in which Rodríguez Vega ‘Tpoor should live’. Paraphras- there is no longer abject poverty, Archbishop of Yucatán, Mexico; ing St. Irenaeus, the Blessed Os- hunger, violence, injustice and the President of the Department of car Arnulfo Romero, a pastor and despoiling of the environment, and Justice and Solidarity, martyr of Latin America, remind- in which every human being ‘has the Bishops’ Council of Latin ed all the members of the Church life in abundance’ (cf. Jn 10:10), America. of the task – which cannot be put in full harmony with the Creation. off – of renewing our Christian The signs of the times challenge commitment and contributing to us to illumine, in the light of the the construction of the civilisation Word of God and the social doc-

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trine of the Church, those unprec- healthy environment and its con- the inseparable relationship that edented human situations which nection with integral develop- exists between the subject of the involve an epochal change, pro- ment. environment and care for human moting as permanent principles health. A human being is a part the inviolability of human dignity, of the environment and lives in a the universal destination of goods, What is Integral constant interchange with the en- the primacy of labour over capi- Development? vironment itself, beginning with tal, participation in the search for the air that is breathed. The Su- the common good, subsidiarity, The social doctrine of the preme Pontiff observes: ‘Expo- solidarity, the preferential option Church has highlighted that com- sure to atmospheric pollutants for the poor, the excluded and the mitment to justice, to the advance- produces a broad spectrum of thrown away, and care for, and the ment of man and to integral human health hazards, especially for the defence of, our common home. development are a constituent part poor, and causes millions of pre- Human history with its lights of Christological faith. mature deaths. People take sick, and shadows, its successes and its When we speak about integral for example, from breathing high crossroads, becomes a ‘theologi- human development, we should levels of smoke from fuels used in cal setting’ for encounter with the emphasise what Paul VI stated cooking or heating’ (LS, n. 20). Lord, above all starting with the in his famous encyclical Populo- Just as we cannot avoid breath- concrete situation of the preferred rum Progressio that ‘The devel- ing, so can we not live without recipients of the Kingdom, the in- opment We speak of here cannot drinking. And once again it is the significant, the thrown away, to be restricted to economic growth poor who have less access to wa- whom the Church must show the alone. To be authentic, it must be ter or at least to water that is free merciful face of God who loves us well rounded; it must foster the from pollutants. As Pope Francis with an infinite love. development of each man and of observes in his encyclical: ‘Every Without any doubt, the love of the whole man’ (n. 14). day, unsafe water results in many the one and triune God reveals it- The Church, an expert in hu- deaths and the spread of water- self in current history as a divine, manity, does not accept that the related diseases, including those creative and provident love of the economic should be separated caused by microorganisms and cosmos which through the mis- from the human. What matters for chemical substances. Dysentery sion of Jesus frees us from person- us is man, every man and every and cholera, linked to inadequate al and social sin and through the woman, every group of men, and hygiene and water supplies, are a gift of the Spirit encourages those on to the inclusion of the whole of significant cause of suffering and who look for the Kingdom of God humanity. of infant mortality’ (LS, n. 29). and His justice. The above-mentioned encycli- ‘Access to safe drinkable wa- In this sense, when we are cal points out that development is ter is a basic and universal human commemorating the fiftieth an- ‘transition from less than human right, since it is essential to human niversary of the publication of conditions to truly human ones’ survival and, as such, is a condi- Gaudium et Spes and the coming (ibidem, n. 20). tion for the exercise of other hu- to an end of the Second Vatican Over recent years there has man rights’. To deny poor people Council, the words of the Coun- been a growth in awareness of the the right to water means ‘they are cil Fathers sound out with great close relationship that exists be- denied the right to a life consistent force: ‘Not, on the contrary, are tween development and the safe- with their inalienable dignity’ (LS, they any less wide of the mark guarding of the environment. n. 30), the Pope also observes. who think that religion consists in We cannot speak about devel- The voracity of those who set acts of worship alone and in the opment, and even less of sustain- themselves to cutting down for- discharge of certain moral obliga- able development, if we do not ests and woodlands attacks peo- tions’ (GS, n. 43). have a healthy environment and ple’s health, as the Supreme Pon- For his part, His Holiness Pope if we do not preserve the creation. tiff points out: ‘The loss of forests Francis, in his encyclical Evan- In his encyclical Laudato si’, and woodlands entails the loss of gelii Gaudium, in total harmo- Pope Francis asks us the follow- species which may constitute ex- ny with the spirit of the Second ing question: ‘What kind of world tremely important resources in the Vatican Council, emphasises that do we want to leave to those who future, not only for food but also ‘no one can demand that religion come after us... We need to see that for curing disease and other uses’ should be relegated to the inner what is at stake is our own digni- (LS, n. 32). sanctum of personal life, with- ty. Leaving an inhabitable planet The consequences of ecologi- out influence on societal and na- to future generations is, first and cal damage do not have the same tional life, without concern for foremost, up to us’ (LS, n. 160). impact on the whole of humanity. the soundness of civil institutions, Their impact is discretional and without a right to offer an opinion as is always the case it is the poor on events affecting society’ (EG, Care for the Environment and first of all who are struck in a fatal n. 183). Human Health way. As the Pope observes: ‘The An event today that concerns impact of present imbalances is us in a special way is the ecologi- One need only read the encyc- also seen in the premature death cal question, the need to live in a lical Laudato si’ to be aware of of many of the poor’ (LS, n. 48).

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However it is the whole of image and likeness of the Crea- and criminal activity take place’ humanity that is hit by climate tor, and without calling into ques- (EG, n. 75). change and by ecological dam- tion economic and political mod- And Pope Francis asks us: age. Here there is the perfect ex- els that plunder the environment ‘“Where is your brother?” (Gen pression of the Latin adage: Ho- and impoverish and exclude broad 4:9). Where is your brother or sis- mo homini lupus (man is a wolf swathes of the population. ter who is enslaved? Where is the for men). From all of this aris- According to the encyclical brother and sister whom you are es a duty for the Church, a duty Laudato si’, ‘The principle of the killing each day in clandestine that involves evangelisation, as a maximization of profits, frequent- warehouses, in rings of prostitu- commitment towards the world in ly isolated from other consideration, in children used for begging, which she lives. This duty is point- tions, reflects a misunderstanding in exploiting undocumented la- ed to by the Supreme Pontiff: ‘The of the very concept of the econo- bour?’ (EG, n. 211). work of the Church seeks not on- my. As long as production is in- When speaking about the obsta- ly to remind everyone of the duty creased, little concern is given to cles in the way of achieving inte- to care for nature, but at the same whether it is at the cost of future gral development the Pope points time “she must above all protect resources or the health of the en- out that ‘It is no longer simply mankind from self-destruction”’ vironment’ (LS, n. 195). about exploitation and oppression, (LS, n. 79). The encyclical then observes but something new. Exclusion ul- Caring for our health is also that at the present time some com- timately has to do with what it ecological work. As Christians, panies ‘are concerned only with fi- means to be a part of the society we know that our bodies are sa- nancial gain’ and some politicians in which we live; those excluded cred because they are a temple of are obsessed solely with ‘holding are no longer society’s underside the Spirit and a gift of God for our on to or increasing their power’ or its fringes or its disenfranchised existence. Here the Pope states and not with conserving the en- – they are no longer even a part of that ‘Learning to accept our body, vrionment and taking care of the it. The excluded are not the “ex- to care for it and to respect its full- weakest (cf. LS, n. 198). ploited” but the outcast, the “left- est meaning, is an essential ele- In his speech to popular move- overs”’ (EG, n. 53). ment of any genuine human ecol- ments in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, On the other hand, the Church ogy’ (LS, n. 155). Pope Francis pointed out that perceives that climate change and there had been imposed ‘the log- its effects are aggravating human- ic of profit at any cost, without itarian problems: hunger, disease, A Look at Reality thinking about social exclusion or conflicts, natural disasters, migra- the destruction of nature’. tion and the movement of peoples. In his Bull of Indiction of the In addition, when describing the And it emphasises that the peo- Jubilee of Mercy, His Holiness signs of death that pervade today’s ple who are most afflicted by the the Pope gave us a clear and pro- society, Evangelii Gaudium offers consequences of climate change phetic warning: ‘Let us open our the following courageous denun- are the poorest. eyes and see the misery of the ciation: ‘Today everything comes As the bishops of Latin Amer- world, the wounds of our brothers under the laws of competition and ica warned us at Aparecida: ‘too and sisters who are denied their the survival of the fittest, where often the preservation of nature dignity, and let us recognize that the powerful feed upon the power- is subordinated to economic de- we are compelled to heed their less. As a consequence, masses of velopment, provoking injury to cry for help! May we reach out people find themselves excluded biodiversity, the exhaustion of re- to them and support them so they and marginalized: without work, serves of water and other natural can feel the warmth of our pres- without possibilities, without any resources, the contamination of ence, our friendship, and our fra- means of escape’ (EG, n. 53). the air and climate change…The ternity! May their cry become our St. Peter’s successor empha- region is damaged by the earth’s own, and together may we break sises the terrible drama of the in- warming and by climate change down the barriers of indifference equality that afflicts the whole which are provoked principally by that too often reign supreme and world: ‘While the earnings of a the non-sustainable lifestyle that mask our hypocrisy and egoism!’ minority are growing exponen- has been adopted by industrialised (Misericordiae Vultus, n. 15). tially, so too is the gap separating countries’ (Aparecida, n. 66). The encyclical Laudato si’ the majority from the prosperity makes an important contribution enjoyed by those happy few’ (EG, to the concept of development and n. 56). Missionary Disciples Going its connection with the environ- When looking at the reality of Forth at an Ecological Level ment. many of our brothers and sisters, A superseded vision of ecol- Evangelii Gaudium emphasises The core of what Pope Fran- ogy concentrated its interest only that ‘We cannot ignore the fact cis proposes in order to obtain a on safeguarding plants, water, air that in cities human trafficking, ‘healthy environment that pro- and animals, without placing an the narcotics trade, the abuse and motes development’ is integral emphasis on the principal work exploitation of minors, the aban- ecology, a new paradigm of justice of the creation which is men and donment of the elderly and infirm, that ‘respects our unique place as women, who are created in the and various forms of corruption human beings in this world and

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our relationship to our surround- in Copenhagen: ‘We make a per- A healthy environment against ings’ (LS, n. 15). sonal appeal to become aware of individualism unleashes brother- ‘The urgent challenge to pro- our individual and family respon- hood; against the accumulation of tect our common home’, the Su- sibilities as citizens and stewards possessions, encourages sharing; preme Pontiff argues, ‘includes a of our common earth. This re- and violence is left behind us so concern to bring the whole human quires a change in our habits at the that we can achieve much-yearned family together to seek a sustain- level of behaviour and consump- for peace, which is the outcome of able and integral development, for tion, as well as an ethical commit- justice. we know that things can change’ ment to the ecological disaster of, (LS, n. 13). and the imbalance in the distribu- Indeed, ‘Nature cannot be re- tion of resources on, the planet’. Praise be! garded as something separate The world has an increasing from ourselves or as a mere set- need of new ethics directed to- We baptised men and women ting in which we live’ (LS, n. 139). wards respect for the person and who are involved in the construc- A global perspective also involves care for everything that lives. A tion of a new and more just, fra- the ecology of institutions. culture of life with habits and cus- ternal, supportive, peaceful and ‘If everything is related, then the toms that respect and protect our ecological world must nourish a health of a society’s institutions common home. spirituality that allows us to be- has consequences for the envi- There is also a need for a new hold God in the Creation, to praise ronment and the quality of human economy where the human person Him and to bless Him. life. “Every violation of solidarity is at the centre of the real concerns With the Psalmist today we lift and civic friendship harms the en- of everyone, an economy where it up our hearts in a song of praise vironment”’ (LS, n. 142). is not money that governs (cf. EG, ‘O Lord, our God, how majes- In the same way, in order to n. 58). tic is your name throughout the achieve a healthy environment we In turn there is a need for a new world…you have made him little have to promote profound chang- sense of politics as regards human less than a god, you have crowned es in lifestyles, in models of pro- coexistence and the achievement him with glory and beauty, made duction and in models of con- of the common good. Today the him lord of the works of your sumption. common good is not only human hands, put all things under his Pope Francis in his encyclical – it concerns people and nature. feet’ (Psalm 8). argues that the solution does not A healthy environment requires And with His Holiness Pope depend solely on those who gov- assuring socio-economic condi- Francis we exclaim: ‘All-pow- ern and the powerful but, rather, tions so that every man and eve- erful God, you are present in the it also depends on education in ry woman can live with dignity as whole universe and in the small- responsibility towards the envi- sons and daughters of God; caring est of your creatures. You em- ronment in schools, families, the for and protecting nature, trees, brace with your tenderness all that mass media and in the catechesis. woods, rivers and seas; love for exists. Pour out upon us the pow- I fully agree with what was animals and the prevention of the er of your love, that we may pro- affirmed by the Manifesto of extinction of species; and a halt tect life and beauty. Fill us with Churches and Christian Organi- to pollution, the accumulation of peace, that we may live as broth- sations on climate change on the solid refuse, the emission of poi- ers and sisters, harming no one.’ occasion of the conference of the sonous gases and the destruction (LS, ‘A Prayer for our Earth’) United Nations on climate change of the ozone layer. So be it!

Educating in the Environment and Health

Dr. Lilian Corra nvironmental factors that con- tant risk factors in the field of President of the ‘Asociación Etribute to illness are ‘modifi- public health. Argentina de Médicos por el able and can avoid causing dam- As early as 20061 the environ- Medio Ambiente’, AAMMA, age’ although their consequences ment was held to be responsible Argentina; for health and quality of life can for 23% of all deaths (premature Member of the ‘International be ‘irreversible’. mortality), 24% of all morbidity Society of Doctors for the Today, the level of illness pro- (years of healthy life lost), and Environment’, ISDE voked by environmental contami- 36% of the deaths of children un- nation is one of the most impor- der the age of fourteen. In devel-

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oping regions, that level is 50% healthy environment aggravate of exposure and a poor environ- higher. the circumstances that are fre- ment polluted with lead, and bad Few risks afflict health as much quently encountered in low and alimentation, aggravates the situ- as pollution of the air. A recent middle-income countries. ation. resolution of the World Health The characteristic which chem- On the other hand, we have to Organisation2 called attention to ical substances released into the point out that there is a still a great the fact that this highest of envi- environment have of lasting over deal to be learnt about the new ronmental risks is responsible for time facilitates their bio-accumu- and emerging risks, such as, for one death in every eight and is lation, bio-concentration and ex- example, the toxic character, the the cause of over 80% of deaths pansion in living beings as they method of action, and the expo- in low- and middle-income coun- gradually penetrate the trophic sure of nano-particles when they tries. chain – something that increases enter the environment. Their ef- Today we know about the spe- the toxic effects of chronic expo- fects on the environment, on the cial vulnerability that exists dur- sure at low doses. beings that live in it and on hu- ing childhood and youth, the Of particular concern are the ef- man health, are still not known. relationship between cause, ex- fects of environmental pollutants posure and effect, the environ- on fertility (reproduction) and mental factors that lead to illness, the development of the brain (ex- Contemporary Scenarios and the grave consequences of the pressed in behavioural problems, as Regards Health and the presence and the toxic impact of alterations in intellectual func- Environment chemical substances that are pre- tions, and a deterioration in the sent in the environment. intellectual coefficient). The fact A correlation exists between The vulnerable sections of that a chemical substance is an changes in the epidemiological the population include children, endocrine disruptor (it acts like map and changes in the scenario pregnant women, and young peo- a hormone), or that it is toxic in of the environment. ple during the reproductive cycles its impact on the development of In recent decades, the incidence of their lives. Exposure begins at the brain (intelligence and behav- of some illnesses has increased the moment of conception.3 iour) and on fertility (reproduc- in a marked way. For example, Children are afflicted through tion), adds important weight to it the problem of fertility in young the exposure of their parents (and toxic character. A safe exposure couples or of cancer in young their grandparents! Here we are dose does not exist. people and in adults (especially dealing with trans-generational As an example of the perception breast cancer and prostate cancer, exposure and effects) and absorb of the toxicity of chemical sub- amongst other glandular cancers), toxic substances more and elimi- stances (‘safe doses’), we can cite of endocrinal illnesses (diabetes nate them less than adults (we are the changes in the interpretation and obesity in children, hypothy- dealing here with a higher meta- of exposure to lead which took roidism in young men), and of ill- bolic level, a higher body/volume place in the recent past. Today it is nesses of the development of the coefficient than in adults, and recognised that for every 1μg/dL brain (learning and behavioural immature systems of de-intoxi- of lead in the blood, the intellec- problems). cation). In addition, they do not tual coefficient (CI) decreases by A correct and accurate survey know about the dangers and can- 0.25–0.5 points, and that for eve- of the incidence of illnesses could not avoid them which means that ry10 μg/dL of lead in the blood, provide us with an idea of their they are liable to a greater num- growth (height) decreases by 1cm. incidence at a global and regional ber of non-intentional lesions (ac- This damage is imperceptible at level, helping us to outline a dy- cidents are the principal cause of the outset and begins to be mani- namic and up-to-date scenario for deaths in children under the age fested when the lead levels in the a better direction of effective ini- of four)4 when the environment blood reach 45 μg/dL (abdominal tiatives involving prevention. Es- in which they live is not suited to pains: colic similar to porphyria). timates, in general, are made on their young ages and their physi- In less than twenty years, toler- the basis of information that is cal characteristics and also is not ance levels have declined, moving provided by the more developed suitably controlled. from doses of lead in the blood countries of the world. The effects of exposure at an near to 60 μg/dL in 1960/1970 to Unfortunately, the information early age can manifest them- 10 μg/dL in 1991 and on to the that we have is still partial and in- selves during adulthood since present-day 5 μg/dL.5 This dra- complete given that there are still children have a longer time span matic change is due to a recog- regions and countries that do not than adults for the emergence of nition that lead has a perceptible gather such information, do not illness. toxic effect on the brain. gather it in a suitable way, or do In the communities at risk (for It should be emphasised that not apply up-to-date indicators examples those that live in states because of its chemical character- of health and the environment in of poverty and in native popula- istics, lead competes with the aban up-to-date way. Not all public tions), the environmental impact sorption of calcium and when this health authorities recognise and of illness can double. last is scarce the quantity of lead record in a harmonised and com- Situations of inequality and absorbed by the body is greater. parable way information on new lack of access to health and to a It is evident that a combination indicators of health and the envi-

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ronment. As a result of this situa- This sector has a leading role in sible to engage in effective initi- tion, the definition of scenarios is this area. For example, measures atives to change them and act to still not precise or complete. to clean the air that we breathe prevent exposure to them, there- Although simple, efficient and must be coordinated with other by protecting the people who are proven instruments exist for the sectors. most vulnerable and at risk. taking of decisions in the field of Health-care professionals have It is essential to train medical environmental public health, they the scientific and technical train- doctors in the field of environ- are not yet widespread or applied ing to understand the various pro- mental public health who have widely enough. We have to apply cesses that are at work, develop personal, professional and insti- up-to-date indicators of health strategies, and launch alarm sig- tutional commitment, who are in- and illness. nals about the repercussions of volved in decision-making pro- One of the most important con- changes in lifestyles and the im- cesses, and who are ready to tributions to preventable deaths is pact of human activity on the en- discuss and address problems and to improve and up-date the regis- vironment. Strategies for the en- strategies with a multidisciplinary ter of deaths and their respective vironment must be placed at the approach. causes. However, many countries centre of public health policies. The academic world has im- do not do this and do not have re- In recent decades, thanks to mense roles and responsibilities – liable information about the risk new knowledge, it has been pos- and ones that cannot be delegated factors that are associated with sible to update and understand the – in maintaining instruction, in- illnesses or non-transmissible ill- new scenarios, produce instru- formation and research independ- nesses.6 ments to facilitate the decision- ent so as to produce human and The repercussions of air pol- making processes, and outline professional values with a holistic lution for public health is great- strategies for environmental pub- vision of the relationship between er than is commonly thought and lic health in order to implement man and the environment. has a clinical correlation in the successful initiatives in the field To come fully to the twenty-first records relating to heart disease of the protection of health. century, one must direct knowl- and cerebral-vascular accidents, We should emphasise the im- edge towards current problems not to mention respiratory pa- portance of the role acquired by and scenarios, shaping thought thologies (lung cancer, bronchitis, the sector of health in decision- about a sustainable form of life. asthma and so forth). making processes that relate to One should also identify and In order to outline those scenar- the environment. Stress should spread reliable and independent ios that help in decision-making also be laid on the important im- sources of information in order processes, instruments have been provement to public health that to help and have a better under- developed that apply context indi- has been achieved by the elimi- standing of contexts, and spread cators (which include social deter- nation of certain toxic chemical those instruments that allow a minants) relating to health and the substances (their production, sale better assessment of environmen- environment, as well as initiatives and use) through international tal processes by connecting them to gather and analyse informa- conventions. We may think here, to the role and the responsibilities tion. The ‘Asociación Argentina for example, of the Minamata of man, of science and of technol- de Médicos por el Medio Ambi- Convention on the elimination ogy. ente’ (AAMMA) has applied the of mercury and the Stockholm It is also urgently necessary to MEME (Multiple Exposure Mul- Convention on long-lasting or- strengthen medical professional tiple Effects) Model7 proposed by ganic chemical substances (which resources and all the sectors in- the World Health Organisation, include various very toxic pes- volved in order to encourage par- and has also developed the ‘Perfil ticides, amongst which chemi- ticipation, promote inter-sectori- de la Salud Ambiental de la Niñez cal substances catalogued as al inclusive cooperation, define en Argentina – Perfil SANA.8 This frequently used ‘endocrine dis- current scenarios, develop suit- last is an instrument at the service ruptors’ which have an impact on able policies and strategies, and of those who have responsibilities hormonal activity). engage in effective initiatives in for decisions in the field of public order to stop the increase in the health (this was published in the contribution of the environment year 2006). The Roles and the to illness and invert the damage to Responsibilities of the the environment. Academic World From the point of view of pro- Environmental Public Health fessional medical training, for Medical doctors must be trained over two decades the ‘Interna- Subjects relating to the envi- about the environmental determi- tional Society of Doctors for the ronment are complex and multi- nants of health and the subjects Environment’ (ISDE) has been sectorial. However, opportunities and issues connected with the en- involved in informing and train- for successful intervention exist vironment in general so that they ing medical doctors about the im- in the sector of public health and can understand factors working portance of environmental factors these involve effective benefits for illness. Since one is dealing in bringing about illness. for health, quality of life and the here with avoidable causes of ill- In Argentina and the rest of Lat- environment. ness, they should learn that it pos- in America, the AAMMA has en-

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gaged in training activities with clude subjects relating to health people in a suitable way, instruct- societies of paediatricians and has and the environment in the study ing without causing alarm, there- promoted within them the devel- courses of their medical schools. by protecting the environment in opment of working groups in the which we live in a responsible field of environmental children’s way, an environment which we health, as well as paediatric units Conclusions share with other living beings in in hospitals. Paediatricians and this ‘Common Home’ of ours. general medical practitioners are The increasing evidence about The encyclical Laudato Si’ is important points of reference for the impact of the environment on undoubtedly a very important society. illness is enormous and points document which has provided us In addition, the ‘Asociación Ar- to a need, and an urgent need, to with vigorous instruments for the gentina de Médicos por el Medio engage in effective initiatives to ineluctable task that we medical Ambiente’ (AAMMA) has pro- protect health and quality of life. doctors have in front of us. duced educational tools in the The sector of public health plays field of health and the environ- a central role, and a role that can- ment for primary, secondary and not be delegated, which must be Notes agro-technical school students of pre-eminent importance when 1 WHO, ‘Ambienti salubri e prevenzi- which are spread through specific it comes to assuring the right to one di malattie: verso una stima del carico publications.9 health and to a healthy environ- di morbilità attribuibile all’ambiente’, 2006. 2 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/ At an academic level, and once ment. releases/2015/wha-26-may-2015/es/. again in Argentina, for more than Demonstrating the relationship 3 Widows of vulnerability during de- ten years the AAMMA has been between health and the environ- velopment. A window of vulnerability is a space of time when defensive measures are responsible for a postgraduate ment allows us to understand the reduced, compromised or absent. It is an op- course in health and the environ- relevance of the environmental portunity to attack something that is at risk ment directed towards training roots of illnesses, to identify the (Oxford Dictionary). 4 According to the World Health Organ- university professionals in vari- environmental sources of pol- isation, the principal causes of infant mor- ous fields, who, in one way or an- lution or exposure, and to act to tality because of lesions are road accidents, other, have to face these subjects secure prevention. The academic drowning, burns, falls and poisoning. 5 Center for Disease Control and Preven- in the practice of their profes- world and the professional sector tion, USA, 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ sions (lawyers, engineers, archi- must review their objectives and lead/ACCLPP/blood_lead_levels.htm. tects, environmental technicians, their strategies in order to adapt 6 About two-third of deaths (38 million a year) are not reported: ‘Understanding and others). In addition, in 2012 and apply their knowledge and death, extending life’, Michael R Bloomb- the Higher Council of the Uni- skills to the contemporary sce- erg, Julie Bishop, Volume 386, No. 10003, versity of Buenos Aires approved nario. e18–e19, 17 October 2015, published On- line: 01 October 2015. the qualification of the specialist The loss of quality of life, of 7 http://www.who.int/ceh/indicators/in- physician in health and the envi- health, or of a young life provokes diconcept/en/. ronment which is studied for at its profound emotional and economic 8 http://www.aamma.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Perfil-SANA.pdf. Faculty of Medicine. This initia- injury to a family. Children have 9 For example ‘Toxicología en el salon de tive, for which the AAMMA is re- no voice at a political level and we clase’ for primary and secondary schools sponsible, seeks to train medical have the enormous and mandato- and ‘Herramientas de Capacitación para el ry responsibility to protect them. Manejo Responsable de Plaguicidas y sus doctors in various specialisations. Envases: Efectos sobre la Salud y Prevención There are some private universi- We must become more responsi- de la Exposición’ for agro-technical schools: ties that have already begun to in- ble and as a consequence inform http://www.aamma.org/publicaciones/

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Towards an Ecology of Health-care Systems that Place Man and not Profit at the Centre of Things The Contribution of Three Experts:

1. Health-care Policy

Dr. Konstanty Radziwiłł outcome-oriented and evidence- As I mentioned at the begin- Polish Minister of Health, based; and transparent. ning of this paper, our duty is Former Secretary General When put into practice, patient to place the good of the person of the Polish Chamber empowerment should mean: re- above profit. But we cannot close of Physicians and Dentists, spect for the dignity of patients as our eyes and pretend money does Poland persons and not just as objects of not exist. The important thing is health care; treatment of patients to understand that the relation- as suffering persons and not only ship between health and econom- our Excellencies, Your High- as sick or disabled people who ex- ic development is complex and Yness the Princess of Monaco, pect to be cured; respect for the runs in both directions: economic Distinguished Guests, Ladies and wishes of patients and a readiness prosperity is good for health and Gentlemen, to adjust care to their expecta- good health outcomes favor eco- Firstly, I would like to express tions; and supporting citizens in nomic growth and development. my profound gratitude to His Ex- having personal responsibility for The other thing to be said here cellency Archbishop Zygmunt Zi- the outcome of treatment and re- is that modern health-care sys- mowski, the President of the Pon- habilitation and a pro-health life- tems are often seen as an impor- tifical Council for Health Care style. tant part of the economy. Indeed, Workers, for inviting me to this pharmaceutical, medical product important meeting – this is a real and care-providing businesses are honor and privilege for me. When What Can we Achieve through often some of the strongest parts we speak about a health-care pol- Patient Empowerment? of national economies and labor icy that places man and not profit markets. However, governments at the center and respects the pri- Empowered patients are able should be aware that expensive macy of the person over things, to take part actively in the man- medicine may be even more cost- we are not speaking about ab- agement of their own health. Em- ly if left to the free market. At the stract ideas. I wonder how many powered patients are able to make same time, the responsibility of patients are listening to us now – informed choices about treatment governments towards their citi- but in fact we all have been, are and management options in man- zens makes it crucial to safeguard or will become patients. Setting aging their own condition. The equally accessible and safe health up the right priorities for health benefits of patient empowerment care of good quality for all those systems is also setting priorities are numerous – for patients, for who need it. Poverty or a low so- for ourselves. Human-oriented health-care professionals and for cial status must not be barriers for health-care systems and the in- health-care systems. Empower- anybody. This is why public or na- tegration of a variety of benefits ment can bring increases in life tional health care should be based and services provided to a patient expectancy, a greater control on broadly regulated public or in order to meet critical health of symptoms, less anxiety over private but not-for-profit health- needs should be one of the main health issues, enhanced quality of care institutions that act with the tasks of modern medicine. In or- life, and more independence and mission of giving help and care to der to achieve this goal, health- autonomy. A crucial instrument in all in need. Money, competition care policy should be shaped by promoting patient empowerment and the ‘invisible hand’ of the free important values and include such is patient education. I strongly be- market are not the best regulators characteristics as being: person- lieve that we can achieve this on- and guarantors of the right solu- centered; respectful of human ly through strong partnership be- tions in this area. dignity; ethical; preventive; just; tween government and the civil This approach also supports available; accessible; holistic; society. more opportunities in the area of

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public health. Here, too, not just this body will be responsible for ber that in order to provide uni- saving money but also the good planning, supervising and assess- versal access to health care and of the population and individual ing policy. maintain its continuity, it is nec- citizens should be the engine of The priority actions to be tak- essary to ensure a rational pricing activity. Recently, the importance en in order to implement public of medical products. In my opin- of public health policy in my health attitude in practice will be: ion, the current prices of medical country, the Republic of Poland, a systematic monitoring of the products do not reflect the actual has been systematically growing. health of the Polish population, cost of their development, reg- This year we have had an Act on and of threats to health and qual- istration and production. In my Public Health which defined the ity of life as a health-influencing opinion, the people who manage idea of ‘health in all policies’ in factor, in order to identify priori- pharmaceutical companies should Polish law for the first time. The ties and define the best preven- not take into consideration only main objectives are to: increase tive actions and health programs; their profits – they should also re- the number of healthy years in health education programs aimed alize that they bear at least part of people’s lives; improve the quali- at, and adjusted to, various age the responsibility for providing ty of life (as a factor that influenc- groups, in particular children and patients with sustainable access es people’s state of health); and adolescents; the implementation to therapies based on the medi- decrease the number of avoidable of health-care programs that pro- cal products they produce. We are cases of illnesses and accidents. mote a healthy lifestyle, physical convinced that there is a need to The public health system will activity, and healthy food/diet; the continue and deepen the debate operate through the National elimination of health inequalities; on the principles of the pricing of Health Program – a document that education in the field of public medical products by pharmaceuti- lays down a detailed strategy and health – doctors, nurses, teach- cal companies. the means to its implementation ers and public administration em- I have just started my mis- – which will be adopted at least ployees; and scientific research sion as the Polish Minister of every five years. The institution- and international cooperation in Health but I am convinced that I al framework of the Polish pub- the field of public health. must work to make sure that the lic health system will include the When we talk about human- good of every individual patient Council of Public Health which oriented health-care systems, we as well as the good of the health comprises inter alia the repre- think mostly about the role of the of the population should be the sentatives of all ministers, the state. However, we should not for- central focus of every action and representatives of local govern- get that placing man above prof- policy of the health-care system. ment, and the representatives of it should be a credo not only for I strongly believe that it will be the health-care professions, and governments. We must remem- possible to achieve this.

2. Health-care Legislation

HON. Dr. Anna Zaborska Human Rights and other human towards those in need, in circum- Member of the rights treaties. In others, health stances ‘beyond their control’. European Parliament, policies are shaped by religious Every health-care system is Slovakia beliefs that include the obligation based on the solidarity of all peo- to care for those in less favourable ple covered by it. The universal- circumstances, including the sick. ity of the claim of every single he Universal Declaration of From the moment of concep- human person to solidarity means THuman Rights states in article tion, every human being be- that there cannot be a price tag 25 that ‘Everyone has the right comes part of the whole of man- on human health or life. At the to…medical care and…the right kind. The solidarity of others is same time, professional medical to security in the event of…ill- our birthright because solidarity care is the result of specialisation, ness, disability…in circumstanc- constitutes humanity. But every the accumulation of knowledge es beyond his control’. In some right must be balanced by a cor- and skills, and full-time work. It countries, health-care systems responding obligation. The right comes at a cost. This cost is rela- and policies are based on the prin- to solidarity would be an empty tive, being generated by demand ciple of human rights as enshrined promise if it was not balanced by and supply. This is the reason in the Universal Declaration of the obligation to show solidarity why medical care and its distribu-

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tion can be described in economic It is also important to add that The problem is that EU law in terms. it is almost impossible to make a health care is limited in scope by Where there is demand and price estimate of the products and the treaties to public health and supply, there is also a market. In services deemed necessary for a cross-border health care. The for- fact, when it comes to health care, particular population in a highly mer deals with a cross-Europe there is more than just one mar- regulated non-competitive mar- early warning system, approval ket: the professional education ket. This is because this kind of for medicinal products and pros- market, the physician and nurses market only generates distorted thetic aids, safety rules for the services market, the medicinal prices. The government may also manipulation of human cells and products market, and the health- try to examine the costs of market tissues, clinical trials, dangerous care financing market. In each of players and control the price. But substances in the environment, them, supply and demand creates although a regulated firm will not etc. The latter builds on the set price. Every market player wants have an economic profit as large of shared operating principles for to obtain a profit by selling his as it would in an unregulated sit- health-care systems across Eu- products or services at a price that uation, it can still make profits rope in order to create conditions exceeds his costs. well above a competitive firm in of trust that underlie the principle In competitive markets, profit a competitive market. of mobility. is an incentive that motivates new Government intervention is not According to article 168 of the players to enter the market. By the only factor that makes health Treaty on Functioning of the EU: entering, they increase the sup- care different from other areas. ‘Union action, which shall com- ply of a particular product or ser- Another factor that is important in plement national policies, shall vice. Therefore, they have to low- understanding these differences is be directed towards improving er the price in order to convince the so-called ‘third-party agent’. public health, preventing physi- buyers to buy more then they did While the patient pays the price cal and mental illness and diseas- before. This happens until the of the medicinal product or ser- es, and obviating sources of dan- profit is so low that it does not at- vice, the physician acts as a third- ger to physical and mental health. tract new players into the market. party agent who makes purchas- Such action shall cover the fight Long-lasting economic profit in a ing decisions (e.g., whether to against the major health scourges, competitive market can only be order a lab test, prescribe a medi- by promoting research into their achieved by constant cost-cutting cation, perform a surgery, etc.). causes, their transmission and and performance improvement The reason for this is the knowl- their prevention, as well as health ahead of industry competitors, al- edge gap between a physician and information and education, and lowing costs to be below the mar- a patient. This creates the prob- monitoring, early warning of and ket-set price. lem of induced demand, whereby combating serious cross-border The problem is that the health- physicians sometimes base their threats to health’. care market and its sub-markets treatment recommendations on The European Parliament and are not competitive. There are economic, rather than medical, the Council can adopt: ‘(a) meas- significant barriers that block new criteria. ures setting high standards of players from entering the mar- The existence of legislative bar- quality and safety of organs and ket. These barriers are created by riers makes the health-care mar- substances of human origin, blood legislation that follows the prin- kets largely uncompetitive. This and blood derivatives; these meas- ciple that human life has an ab- means that there are fewer com- ures shall not prevent any Mem- solute value, that it is priceless. petitors. The absolute value of hu- ber State from maintaining or Therefore, the aim of legislative man life dictates that the quality introducing more stringent pro- regulation is to ensure the high- requirements that constitute those tective measures; (b) measures in est possible quality of health-care barriers cannot be softened or re- the veterinary and phytosanitary products and services. New play- moved. This means that the only fields which have as their direct ers can overcome these barriers way to increase competition is to objective the protection of public only at substantive costs: expen- increase the market. The creation health; (c) measures setting high sive education, research, technol- of a single European market for standards of quality and safety for ogy, safety rules, data manage- health-care products and servic- medicinal products and devices ment, quality standards, etc. es could deliver exactly that. The for medical use’. From this point of view, it Charter of Fundamental Rights of They can also adopt measures seems that the conflict between the European Union states that: concerning the monitoring, early man-centred and profit-oriented ‘Everyone has the right of ac- warning and combating of seri- health care is actually a paradox. cess to preventive health care and ous cross-border threats to health. We have markets that are heavi- the right to benefit from medical There is just one obstacle: the EU ly regulated in order to guarantee treatment under the conditions must respect the responsibilities maximum protection for human established by national laws and of the Member States for the defi- life and health. However, it is this practices. A high level of human nition of their health policies and regulation that creates barriers to health protection shall be ensured for the organisation and delivery entering the market, thus limiting in the definition and implemen- of health services and medical supply and preserving high profit tation of all the Union’s policies care, the management of health margins. and activities’ (article 35). services and medical care, and

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the allocation of the resources as- tain remedies (i.e. accountabil- which they could operate in all signed to them. ity), and compensation for harm EU Member States. In other words, primary EU law and the transgression of privacy As a trained doctor and Catho- respects the principle that deci- rights. lic politician, I do not believe in sions are made by those who pay It is important to note that the health care that only focuses on for their implementation. The EU limited scope of the directive profit. It should always focus on can support, coordinate or supple- made it possible for patients to human life. This is also why I do ment the actions of the Member circumvent the limits placed on not believe that the highest health States but it is not allowed to in- certain medical operations in or- expenditure, measured as a per- terfere. der to avoid waiting lists in their centage of GDP, is a guarantee of Nevertheless in the year 2011, home state. Health-care financing good health care: it is not. following three years of negotia- bodies, whether private or public, But it would not be wise to ig- tions, a new directive on the appli- usually introduce these limits in nore reality. Unlike human life, cation of patients’ rights in cross- an attempt to cut costs. As they health-care products and services border health care was adopted. It are not caused by the lack of ca- have a price. They are, and always allows individual patients to seek pacity in domestic health-care fa- will be, sold for a profit. The size health care in a Member State cilities, their circumvention does of the profit is one of the param- other than the Member State of not mean that the waiting list gets eters telling us if the health-care affiliation. shorter. It only means that those system is efficient. A low profit The chosen title ‘Patients’ at the bottom of the list can force in health care is an indicator of a Rights’ refers to a concept that is the financing body to cover their competitive market and the result much broader in scope than the requested operation as a priority of a good policy. reimbursement of cross-border while other patients have to wait To conclude, I would like to end medical treatment. This broad- longer. where I started. The universal and er concept is primarily linked to Nevertheless, this directive absolute value of human life is a the common principles framed could be a first step towards a source of solidarity. Health care for the obligations of the Mem- single European health-care mar- that is humane and fair has to re- ber State where treatment is pro- ket. A market covering a popu- spect the value of life and can be vided. These include quality and lation of 503 million would be afforded only if based on solidar- safety standards, access to the in- large enough to stimulate com- ity understood as both rights and formation necessary for informed petition between existing players obligations. If we get this right, choice (i.e. transparency), the in all segments of health care, of- the remaining pieces will fall into means to complain and to ob- fering them single set of rules by place.

3. Supportive Welfare and Models of Care

Dr. Alessandro pursuing a universalist supply of elements as regards their ability Signorini rights to health and various forms to face up to the various problems Director General of the of care. that emerged. Fondazione Poliambulanza, It is certainly the case that the It should be remembered, first Brescia, Italy ‘global’ economic crisis which of all, that it is not possible argue exploded in the years 2007-8 that there has been an overall cri- brought an acute worsening of a sis of the system of health-care he current historical epoch has condition of latent suffering of the welfare. This is because of the Tbeen characterised by an evi- various models of welfare that ex- very fact that in the world there dent difficulty on the part of vari- isted at that time. Experts in so- exist welfare models of health ous systems of health-care and cial disciplines had been pointing care which are rather different social welfare – and this process to this for a large number of years. from each other (it is generally developed above all during the However, it is worthwhile as- acknowledged that amongst the course of the second half of the sessing these premisses in a sys- almost two hundred countries that twentieth century – to maintain tematic fashion and taking into belong to the United Nation there their own equilibrium and to as- account that the scenarios have are no two countries that have the sure those forms of protection for similar elements as regards the same health-care system). which they were created, namely causes of the crisis and different Furthermore, it should also be

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taken into account that outside the Obama. The European universal their own pockets 18% of the total continent of Europe it is rare to systems, which are of a public- expenditure on health-care, a sum encounter, in the various States, statist approach, are also the sub- equal to 500 euros a head each the existence of a complete sys- ject of deep structural revisions. year. Last year 32.6% of Italians tem of social protection which in- The case of Italy constitutes, paid for health-care or welfare cludes health-care protection. in this scenario, a condition that services ‘beneath the counter’ (a Europe, albeit with rather dif- is completely singular because level which reaches 41% in some ferentiated approaches, consti- it remains, despite everything, areas of the South of the country). tutes in this field an authentic ex- strongly anchored in a public- The judgement expressed by inception where citizens, through a statist model of government that dependent international agencies formula that is more or less direct- has generated judgements which appears to be rather severe as rely based upon the State to which vary according to the different ap- gards the protection of the rights they belong, enjoy widespread in- proaches as regards assessment. of Italian citizens with respect dividual protection as regards the Indeed, currents of thought ex- to access to care and treatment, various ‘risks’ that weigh upon ist that see the Italian system as waiting times, and the availability their lives. one of the ‘best in the world’. of innovative medical products. Outside the old continent, albeit These boast of the positive view In addition, we should not forget with some isolated examples, it is of the World Health Organisation the imbalances and the differenc- very difficult to encounter mod- which in the year 2001 classified es that exist between the various els of universal care, and one only this system in second place after regional territories. has to consider here the difficulty the French system because of the The Euro Health Index placed that is encountered – within the extension of the envisaged pro- Italy in the twenty-second place politics and the public opinion of tection to all Italian citizens. Fur- in the year 2014 of the twenty- the United States of America – by thermore, Bloomberg Business eight countries that had been ex- the hypothesis of achieving in that today sees the Italian model as amined (Europe and Canada). great country a system of health- one of the least expensive in the One encounters here an alarm care protection that is extended to world when it comes to the health that was already launched some all citizens. indexes of the population (overall years ago by the then Prime Min- The crisis in models of tradi- mortality, child mortality, life ex- ister, Mario Monti, who at a con- tional welfare appears to be more pectancy at birth, etc.). ference in Genoa expressed his marked in those countries which, However, when the assess- concern (cf. Corriere della Sera, in entrusting the whole system of ment moves on to the subject of 27 November 2012) that in the funding, planning, government the measurement of the results of near future ‘the sustainability of and organisation of the system treatment, or an analysis of the the National Health Service might to great apparatuses of public ad- contents that are really offered to not be assured’. ministration, were the protago- citizens, the judgements change A large part of the world of na- nists of the ‘golden period’ of the and important critical elements tional politics declaimed against welfare state which developed be- emerge that should be taken into this statement and also sought to tween the 1940s and the 1970s. consideration. Different kinds of calm citizens through a special As early as 1974, Professor Vic- evidence emerge that point to an study commission of the Senate. tor Fuchs published the first edi- increasing inadequacy of the sys- This commission concluded that tion of a work entitled ‘Who Shall tem when it comes to conserving the system was ‘sustainable as Live?’ and posited an imminent intact its original vocation. regards what we want to sustain’ crisis both of the health-care mod- Very recent data have reported and, whatever the case, was one els managed by the State and of that in Italy people are forced to of the ‘least expensive’ of those in those entrusted solely to the laws endure long waiting lists in order place in the most advanced coun- of the market, as was the case of to gain access to public services, tries of the world. the United States of America. and they are often forced to re- In reality, the protection of the Both models were character- sort to private services, not least rights of European citizens ap- ised by evident intrinsic limita- through the channel of the ‘intra pears today to be more assured by tions correlated in one case (the moenia’ professional freelance those countries which established European systems of statist pub- service that is provided within from the outset, or have gradually lic welfare) with intolerable levels state hospitals. implemented, a model of subsidi- of inefficiency and a waste of re- Almost one Italian family in arity that is increasingly adhered sources, and, in the other, with an every two forgoes treatment; in to and extensive. unsustainable social inequality that 41.7% of family units at least This is the case of the middle was inherent in the domination of one person every year has to go European models that dominate commercial economic interests. without a health-care service (da- the rankings – which have already The predictions of Fuchs were ta taken from the ‘Assessment of been cited – of the EHCI (togeth- destined to turn out prophetic and Sustainability of Italian Welfare’ er with the traditional Scandina- this to the point that at the present of Censis and research carried out vian models which are prevalently time the American system is the by consumer associations for the based on a public-statist approach subject of a deep and controversial Ania-consumatori Forum). but also characterised by a level of revision promoted by President In addition, citizens pay out of corruption of the public adminis-

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tration which cannot be compared The whole of the movement offer guarantees of civil engage- to other less virtuous realities). of faith-based hospitals can take ment and responsibility that are It is a paradox that specifically on a role of a responsible and ac- greater than those of the public our country, Italy, which created knowledged partner in pursuing administrations themselves which one of the greatest exponents of goals and tasks of a ‘public val- at times can fall into a search for the principle of subsidiarity, Don ue’ when the organisation of the electoral consensus rather than Luigi Sturzo, had to wait until state has to recognise the strategic pursuing their own institutional the end of the year 2001 to wit- value of an alliance with the non- purposes and the protection of the ness the appearance of the noun profit making world. common good and shared inter- ‘subsidiarity’ in its Constitutional Non-profit making organisa- ests. Charter. Up to that moment, this tions are able to generate with- Obviously enough, human lim- charter did not appreciate the val- in society positive dynamics and itations can also compromise the ue and the strength of a society or- offer to the common good the best original insights and in short ganising itself in an autonomous strength and the motivations of time lead to the disappearance of and supportive form but remained the essential reasons on which the credibility and greatness of the prisoner of a statist vision. they are based. historic works and institutions. This vision was the offspring of They know how to be nearer However, an intelligent approach the liberal and anti-clerical State to communities and interpret in a lies specifically in a capacity to of the nineteenth century and ad- more direct and authentic way the read situations rapidly, understand vanced uninjured, from this point needs that exist. They can also in- the development of scenarios, and of view, through the Fascist dicta- terpret a public role that is more constitute witness within society. torship as well. motivated than the apparatuses The experience of the Founda- The principle of subsidiarity, themselves of public administration that I represent can be read which for that matter is a central tions. from this point of view, in its ca- feature of the social doctrine of the Obviously enough, they are pacity to fuse different histories Church, captures in itself the great not immune to limitations, to de- and origins, to equip itself with a capacity to bring back responsi- fects and to possible misalign- model of management and gov- bility to the level of communities ments when we take into account ernance that are advanced in char- and individuals themselves and to the reasons for their foundation. acter, to place itself at the service free up resources, initiatives and However, they possess the advan- of the general public in a transpar- enthusiasms at the service of the tage of identifying with the rea- ent and responsible way, and to common good and shared values, sons for their existence and these understand the profound transfor- thereby overcoming the limita- coincide with a goal of explicit mations that are underway in our tions of a dominating bureaucracy service to the community. society and in the needs and the and inflated state apparatuses. In this sense, they can at times expectations of people.

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Conclusions and Recommendations

Msgr. Renzo Pegoraro dialogue with the natural sciences that is to say the transformation Chancellor of the Pontifical and the social sciences is of fun- of hearts and minds in order to Academy for Life, damental importance if we want promote new forms of behaviour the Holy See to know the characteristics, the and new lifestyles. dimensions and the gravity of the It also addressed the problem contemporary ecological and so- of social inequalities and the re- t is not easy to end and sum up cial crisis. sponsibilities of companies: spec- Ian event that has been so in- Reference was made to climate ulation in fundamental goods volved and complex. It is not my change, to grave economic ine- must be avoided so that the health intention to have ‘the last word’ qualities, and to health problems and the lives of very many peo- but, rather, it is my wish and hope for frail individuals. ple, above all the poorest are not that I will bring together what has The appeal of Pope Francis threatened. emerged in order to relaunch the was strongly heard: ‘hear both Reference was also made to the subjects that have been addressed, the cry of the earth and the cry of importance of an ecological spir- looking forward with confidence the poor’ (LS, n. 49). ituality founded on reconcilia- to developments that follow on Therefore, first of all: to know tion, solidarity, joy and peace. from what has been discussed at and be aware of these grave ques- The fundamental role of educa- this international conference. tions which call on the Church, tion which concerns everyone – This has been an intense and all religions, all institutions, and schools, families, the catechesis, stimulating congress and one rich the whole of humanity. the media – was also recognised. in information, observations, and Seeing and listening so as to Also recognised was the need prospects for future action. Its understand, at a deep level and for greater attention to be paid guide has been the new encycli- in truth, the problems that exist to resources such as water, the cal of Pope Francis: Laudato si’. and the challenges that lie ahead source of life which is an indis- This international conference, of us. pensable good for everyone but as was observed at its opening by which can also become a threat H.E. Msgr. Zimowski, has taken 2. Interpreting and Assessing because of floods following cli- place on the fiftieth anniversa- mate change or because little care ry of the Second Vatican Coun- In the light of Christian Rev- is demonstrated by man to local cil and the thirtieth anniversary elation we are called to discern areas. of the institution of the Pontifi- so as understand to the full the Reference was also made to cal Commission for Health Care meaning of the creation and the fair and sustainable health-care Workers which later became a dignity and the responsibility of systems so as to achieve true care Pontifical Council. man who was created in the ‘im- for everyone. This congress has addressed age and likeness of God, male All of this becomes recommen- one of the ‘signs of the times’, and female He created them’. We dations and commitment. namely the questions connect- thus return to the anthropologi- All of this requires new con- ed with the environment and so- cal question: who is man? What crete operational forms as well as cial questions, and contemporary is his correct relationship with trust and hope. At n. 244 of Laud- challenges, in order to develop the creation? In order to over- ato Si’ Pope Francis says: ‘In the a culture of the shared home, of come the negative tendencies of meantime, we come together to salus, and of welcoming. the dominant technological para- take charge of this home which In an attempt to set out in sys- digm of limitless dominion over has been entrusted to us, knowing tematic form some provisional the creation and over man him- that all the good which exists here conclusions and recommendations self, the approach of an integral will be taken up into the heaven- which emerged during the course ecology which sees the relation- ly feast. In union with all crea- of the international conference, ship that exists between the var- tures, we journey through this we may identify three fundamen- ious environmental, economic, land seeking God…Let us sing as tal steps: 1) seeing and listening; 2 social and cultural ecologies is of we go. May our struggles and our interpreting and assessing; and 3) fundamental importance. concern for this planet never take changing and acting. away the joy of our hope’. 3. Changing and Acting I would like to end repeating 1. Seeing and Listening the following important recom- The international conference mendation: act with commitment, Recognising the importance of discussed ecological conversion, with the joy of hope!

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Conclusions and Recommendations

father Ján Dˇ acˇ ok, SJ Days of the Sick, and the Good vironment with an anthropologi- Theologian of the Apostolic Samaritan Foundation, was very cal vision of man. This something Penitentiary, much appreciated at the interna- that Pope Francis has emphasised: the Holy See tional conference. ‘There can be no ecology without 3. The international conference an adequate anthropology’ (LS, n. emphasised the continuity and the 118). Those who respect man al- efore offering some conclu- discontinuity of challenges to life so respect the creation. And vice Bsions and recommendations, and to human dignity. To the mul- versa: those who damage the cre- it seems to me to be necessary tiple crimes and attacks against ation, are also ready, and will be to make three initial introductory human life and its dignity, which ready, to destroy man as well. statements: a) it is certainly not were already listed in Gaudium et 6. Against the contemporary easy in fifteen minutes to summa- Spes (n. 27) and taken up in Evan- ‘technocratic paradigm’ (nn. 106- rise this international conference gelium Vitae, have been added, un- 114) which exploits and discards which has lasted two days and fortunately, ones that are increas- man, especially those who are a half; its multidisciplinary and ingly new and more sophisticated poor, weak and sick, one must very complex character makes and which do not only damage oppose the ‘culture of care’ (n. this even more difficult; b) despite man but also the whole of the crea- 231) which bends down to the everything, an attempt will be tion. The contemporary relevance other and invites us to ‘cultivate made to offer a transversal read- of this vision fifty years on has and steward’ our earthly garden ing, emphasising certain relevant been confirmed by Pope Francis: through work (nn. 124-129). points, naturally enough running ‘Yet it must also be recognized that 7. The international conference the risk of not being complete; c) nuclear energy, biotechnology, in- gave voice to the challenges of the presentation of the questions formation technology, knowledge the Pope and his cry in favour of and issues involved is addressed of our DNA, and many other abili- human dignity and the creation. It through a theological, anthropo- ties which we have acquired, have encouraged a friendly handshake logical and relational vision with given us tremendous power…an between man and things, which the need to maintain the verti- impressive dominance over the have become rivals; it sought to cal dimension and the horizon- whole of humanity and the entire replace the ‘throwaway culture’ tal dimension of Christian reality world. (LS, n. 104). with a new lifestyle marked by which are addressed together. 4. The contemporary relevance Christian altruism, by simplic- of Evangelium Vitae after twen- ity, by humility and by sobriety. A. Conclusions ty years and its messages for ac- Against the selfish anthropocen- tion at a personal, community, trism of post-modern contempo- 1. First of all, those taking part social, political and legislative rary man with his needs to buy, to in the international conference level was emphasised. The fun- possess and to consume objects, expressed their deep gratitude to damental lines of the theology of obsessed by the technocratic par- Pope Francis for his encyclical life of Benedict XVI, which have adigm which is dominant and ag- Laudato si’ (LS). This was seen a Christocentric, Trinitarian, ec- gressive, the international confer- as a special gift and a challenge clesiological and pneumatologi- ence sought to sensitise people’s for the whole of humanity. An ap- cal character, were also described. hearts and to invite people to preciation of the general subject These lines echo in the gospel of change their lifestyles. that was chosen, which is of con- creation, are expressed in Laudato 8. It appreciated the efforts, the temporary relevance and attrac- si’, and aim at ‘service of life, es- creativity and the witness of in- tive to the utmost, was also to be pecially human life’ (LS, n. 189). dividuals, volunteers, groups, as- observed. The contemporary rele- In the view of Pope Francis, ‘The sociations and institutions in the vance of the subject and the inter- work of the Church seeks not on- field of the promotion and the est in it was confirmed by the nu- ly to remind everyone of the duty protection of a ‘healthy world’. merous presence of participants to care for nature, but at the same 9. The international conference from all over the world. time “she must above all protect invited people to be convinced 2. The contribution of the Pon- mankind from self-destruction”’ witnesses to life and hope. Em- tifical Council for Health Care (LS, n. 79). phasis was laid on the Christian Workers over the last thirty years 5. During the international con- experience as regards the crea- in the field of the culture of life ference stress was placed on the tion, according to which ‘all the and in the field of care for sick central value of human life as ‘a creatures of the material universe people, in particular through the gift which must be defended from find their true meaning in the in- foundation of the Pontifical Acad- various forms of debasement carnate Word, for the Son of God emy for Life, the Charter for ‘(LS, n. 5) and on the close con- has incorporated in his person Health Care Workers, the World nection of the question of the en- part of the material world, plant-

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ing in it a seed of definitive trans- solidarity. In other words, a more listening and dialogue at all levels formation’ (LS, n. 235). effective promotion of the social – the personal, the business, the 10. Those who serve others im- doctrine of the Church. institutional, the political and the itate Christ and he will reward 3. A mobilisation of our own international. them generously. This knowl- consciences and the conscienc- 8. The environment and man edge, which recognises love that es of other people in favour of are interdependent. Hence the has been received gratuitously, the culture of life, of salus and need for the development of envi- motivates people to act generous- of welcome. What is expected of ronmental medicine, an environ- ly and responsibly. me, of my family or of my com- mental pharmacology and envi- 11. The international confer- munity? What can I do? How can ronmental pharmokinetics ence addressed a broad scientif- the consciences of other people be 9. Patient, innovative and cou- ic subject and addressed certain woken up? rageous formation in places of burning topics for man and nature 4. The importance of prayer, of education in relation to ecology: at the level of their interconnec- Sunday rest and of joy to praise places such as the family, schools, tion. In particular, the well-known the Lord for being able to distance Christian communities, national method applies to these fields: oneself from work and be aware and international institutions, and see, understand, respond. Scientif- of the Christian life. Reference so forth. ic knowledge invites us to under- was also made to the need for as- 10. Having the courage to put stand, to analyse and to approach cesis and fasting in order to defeat into practice the solidarity and the things well in competent, profes- evil. charity of the Good Samaritan in sional and responsible action. 5. The urgent need for a ‘cou- caring for the sick, the weak and rageous cultural revolution’ that the poor. B. Recommendations uses scientific knowledge and 11. Working together, joining technological opportunities for forces, cooperating closely and 1. There is a need to accept and integral development which has a drawing up more effective strate- promote theological anthropolo- truly human face (cf. LS, n. 114). gies for the culture of the life or gy which assures respect for the 6. Proposals: ‘less is more’ and the ‘culture of care’ (LS, n. 231). hierarchy of being: God as the ‘a return to simplicity’ (LS, n. 12. ‘No’ to mediocrity and su- Creator, man as the summit of 222). These, in a nutshell, are in- perficiality in acting but ‘yes’ to creatures and of nature which is vitations to a new lifestyle at an generosity in the eyes of the Fa- a gratuitous gift for him to stew- individual, community, institu- ther who sees everything. ard and to develop in line with the tional, national, international and 13. A Christological outlook Lord’s project for the creation. world level. towards Christ, the new Adam, 2. A more effective defence and 7. Justice is legislation and ac- which leads to hope, to trust and promotion of human dignity, the cess to drinking water and public to reconciliation with God, with common good, subsidiarity and health for everyone. The need for ourselves and with the creation.

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