Pope Francis says the world urgently needs a “bold cultural revolution” to tackle the looming challenge of catastrophic climate change while addressing the needs of the poor.
In a much-anticipated, 184-page encyclical, the reformist Pope endorsed the scientific consensus that humankind is causing a dramatic shift in the world’s climate, which will have the greatest impact on the world’s poor. But he rejected the notion that market mechanisms or technological approaches alone can provide the solution.
And from here:
Francis, saying he was “drawing on the results of the best scientific research available,” called climate change “one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day” and said poor nations will suffer the most.
In several passages in the six-chapter encyclical, Francis confronted head on both climate change doubters and those who say it is not man-made.
“A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system,” he said. “Humanity is called to recognise the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption, in order to combat this warming or at least the human causes which produce or aggravate it.”
He said greenhouse gases were “released mainly as a result of human activity.”
Francis called for policies to “drastically” reduce polluting gases, saying technology based on fossil fuels “needs to be progressively replaced without delay” and sources of renewable energy developed.
A ‘cultural revolution’, eh?
What a commie phrase. (Though, to be fair, it’s also an Iranian Shiite fundamentalist and Gaddafiist phrase, too…)
And now, a Latin American, Liberation Theologian phrase, too, it would seem…
As for a ‘scientific consensus’, there is far from one on Catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming, even if it is a view held by the majority of scientists; moreover, scientists of all people ought to know that empirical truth is not decided by a consensus, but by the facts. (And so should Christian leaders, for that matter…)
Meanwhile, in reaction, Jeb Bush shows he’s an idiot:
Catholic Republican presidential candidates said they don’t necessarily agree with the pope on climate change and that he shouldn’t be getting involved in it.
“I don’t think we should politicize our faith,” Jeb Bush, a Catholic convert, said before the encyclical’s release. “I think religion ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting into the political realm.”
No, you fool: religion is about salvation and redemption far more than it is about personal improvement (though that is a part of it), and moreover, I’ll bet you’re not bothered in the least by Christians’ social conservatism influencing their political views and/or votes, so don’t tell us that religion has no place in the public square!
Clowns to the left; jokers to the ‘right’; here we are, stuck in the middle with them…
Patriactionary 
ray
June 19, 2015 at 1:16 am
The ‘catastrophic’ what? I thought the Church taught that God controls climate etc.?
Catholics follow Scripture and not the wisdoms of their own traditions. Right? The Bible says that God decides each sparrow’s breath, but he can’t control Climate Change?
I appreciate being told different than the Bible by the successor of the apostle Peter and the inheritor of his gifts.
Cheers.
feeriker
June 19, 2015 at 10:16 am
Meanwhile, in reaction, Jeb Bush shows he’s an idiot:
Hard to believe that there’s anyone left out there who didn’t already know that. After all, he IS a Bush (think: American Hapsburgs).
As for this current pope, well … consider his origins. Perfectly suited to the era in which we all live. Also, it’s not as if anyone is stupid enough to put their faith in corrupt institutions that ate the source of the very problems that plague us, right?
Sean
June 19, 2015 at 10:18 am
That whole infallibility thing will take a beating.
Will S.
June 19, 2015 at 7:15 pm
@ ray: Scripture says: http://willssunnysideblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/we-will-not-be-destroyed-by-global-warming-we-have-gods-promise-of-that
I go by that. 🙂
@ feeriker: Alas, too many neo-cons are fooled (i.e. the majority of American ‘conservatives’, who are still hoodwinked into thinking the Republicans are conservative…).
As for the Pope, while I’m a Protestant, and so not a believer in the institution of the papacy, I admired Benedict XVI, and was sorry he was pushed out. I still want to know how that happened; who was pulling the strings; was it George Soros and his ilk? Anyway, they gave the Catholic church this joker, instead…
@ Sean: Maybe, or maybe there’ll just be a boost to Sedevacantism and SSPX, etc.
ray
June 20, 2015 at 7:52 pm
The presumptive nominee of the Republicants converted to the Religion of Goddess Mary? That’s really surprising! Maybe the Dilly Llama was out of town that week. On another World Tour.
On the ‘other’ side we have Herr Hillary, who worships the Goddess too, though in the form of herself. Who needs a fake goddess when you already are one?
People on this planet sure go to labyrinthine and desperate levels to worship females! They will find a way to do it too, then say they’re actually honoring God and Jesus. At least the pagans and witches aren’t hypocrites.
The Masonic Mouthpiece speaks outta the left side of its mouth, or outta the right side, but it’s the same lie. Hey maybe America should elect the Peanut Farmer again? We could all play Aw Shucks Just Homefolks one more time? But no I don’t guess Pharaoh would suffer any competing Smilers.
Cheers.
Will S.
June 20, 2015 at 8:05 pm
Much as, being Protestant, I don’t agree with prayers to Mary, etc., I don’t see Catholicism as exactly goddess worship, and I hope we don’t end up having an argument between Protestants and Catholics here over the position of Mary; this isn’t a Protestant theology blog, after all, and being a pan-Christian-traditionalist blog, I don’t think that would be helpful. I won’t say any more on the matter, myself. (Catholicism forbids Masonic membership, BTW.)
As for Jeb Bush converting to Catholicism, his wife is Mexican, so maybe that played a role in his decision to convert; I don’t know.
Will S.
June 20, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Like that term ‘Republicants’, BTW; they’re always talking about how their hands are tied in terms of rolling back legislation, so they really are about ‘can’t do it’.
infowarrior1
June 21, 2015 at 2:37 am
@Will S.
I think the infallibility thing only applies to speaking ex-Cathedra. Wonder what happens if he actually does that.
Will S.
June 21, 2015 at 8:58 am
Yes, infowarrior1; that’s correct.
So far, all the things he has said that have dismayed traditionalists and delighted liberals, have not been things said ex cathedra.
I think he’s careful about that.
Eric
June 21, 2015 at 5:50 pm
I think Jeb Bush converted to Cafeteria Catholicism right after Junior became an Evanjellyfish. With Papa Bush as an Anglican aristocrat, the three have all three Religious RINO Right bases covered.
Eric
June 21, 2015 at 6:33 pm
Pope Fannie is at it again:
http://news.yahoo.com/pope-says-weapons-manufacturers-cant-call-themselves-christian-184139430.html
Will S.
June 21, 2015 at 6:59 pm
@ Eric: No doubt that’s it; elites rarely take religion seriously, as anything other than opportunities for social advancement, and will switch as it pleases them.
Gosh, he’s misguided… As if weapons were intrinsically evil in themselves.
Eric
June 21, 2015 at 7:28 pm
I’m not ready to go Sedevacantist yet, but I’m getting really tired of this guy. Think of all the Catholic lives the weapons industry has saved; not to mention the numbers of Catholics who work in those industries whom he’s just alienated.
Will S.
June 21, 2015 at 7:52 pm
Exactly!
We used weapons against the Nazis in WWII; we had weapons defending us against the Soviets in the Cold War; are we to believe those weapons were evil, and should not have been used?
Idiot.
ray
June 21, 2015 at 8:07 pm
I am not a Protestant, any more than I’m a Catholic. There is no more authority for denominational Protestantism than there is for Mary as Co-Redeemer of humanity. Christ talked about one Church and there is only one Church. I like Him, the OT prophets, the apostles, some of the others.
During boyhood I attended the Catholic Church. School too. The two Catholic Churches were, in may ways, the most family-stabilizing influences in that tough working-class town during those years. My dad was a lifelong Catholic who didn’t talk about Jesus much but did try to live Him. My dad was deceived about some things but then who hasn’t been?
If I didn’t point out that Catholicism is apostasy (and goddess-worship) and that denominational Protestantism is vanity and error, then Jesus would call me a coward and he’d right. Maybe he will end up calling me a coward anyway but it won’t be over this.
If these statements violate the guidelines of your blog, or offend you personally, then that’s between you and God. I have no problem leaving voluntarily as you have shown courtesy. But I’m definitely not a pan-Christian and am not going to become one for anybody.
Cheers.
Will S.
June 21, 2015 at 8:57 pm
Hey ray, I’m not offended, and I’m not asking you to leave, and I understand your need to witness to the truth as you perceive it. In fact, I’m hoping you’ll stick around, as you’re more than welcome here. 🙂
I didn’t know you weren’t Protestant either, but that doesn’t offend me either, even though I disagree with you about it. 🙂
I have read and found some value in some writings of fundamental Baptists who also didn’t consider themselves Protestant, and I get that POV, even though I don’t share it.
I’m not a ‘pan-Christian’, either; I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Protestant. But this blog is pan-Christian, meaning that we are of different traditions here (both bloggers and readers / commenters), and our focus isn’t primarily theological, except insofar as we find many shortcomings in churchianity, upon which we are all agreed.
I’m just wanting to avoid endless debates; I don’t mind someone stating their POV, in itself. I just want the main focus to be on that which we have in common, against our real enemies.
Cheers. 🙂
Will S.
June 21, 2015 at 8:58 pm
(Let me amend that: against our temporal enemies. Our real enemies are Satan, the World, and the Flesh.)
Will S.
June 21, 2015 at 8:59 pm
(But our common temporal enemies are progs, militant Muslims, others who have their own agenda, etc.)
ray
June 23, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Fair enough.
BTW I don’t identify as a ‘Christian’ either. It’s become essentially meaningless (especially in America) and I find the vast majority of Christian practice idolatrous, or just nonsense. When I think about Christianity in, say, current Somalia, then Christianity gets a little more attractive and authentic. Mostly not though.
My experience is that as soon as I attach to some label, or denomination or church or person or whatever, then quickly thereafter folks attempt to co-op me for purposes having little or nothing to do with Christ. Then gradually I’m about their business or doctrine or agenda instead of Father’s.
Cheers.
Will S.
June 24, 2015 at 3:15 am
That’s always a temptation, which we need to guard against falling into.
Will S.
June 28, 2015 at 11:22 pm
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/28/pope-climate-change-naomi-klein