VATICAN - Benedict XVI: “protection of creation is not principally a response to an aesthetic need, but much more to a moral need”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The denial of God distorts the freedom of the human person, yet it also devastates creation. It follows that the protection of creation is not principally a response to an aesthetic need, but much more to a moral need, in as much as nature expresses a plan of love and truth which is prior to us and which comes from God.” This is what was affirmed by the Holy Father Benedict XVI in his audience with the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, for the traditional exchange of New Year's greetings on January 11.
At the beginning of his address, the Pope recalled with “deep satisfaction” the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Russian Federation, and the “very significant” visit of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. He then highlighted: “The Church is open to everyone because, in God, she lives for others! She thus shares deeply in the fortunes of humanity, which in this new year continues to be marked by the dramatic crisis of the global economy and consequently a serious and widespread social instability.” The roots of this situation “are to be found in a current self-centred and materialistic way of thinking which fails to acknowledge the limitations inherent in every creature.” Safeguarding the environment can neither be separated from nor opposed to the protection of human life, including the life of the unborn, the Holy Father said.
He directed a particular thought to the African continent: during the Synod, the Synodal Fathers “pointed with concern to the erosion and desertification of large tracts of arable land as a result of overexploitation and environmental pollution,” and the “struggle for access to natural resources is one of the causes of a number of conflicts, not least in Africa.” Continuing, the Pontiff recalled the “large areas, for example in Afghanistan or in some countries of Latin America, where agriculture is unfortunately still linked to the production of narcotics, and is a not insignificant source of employment and income. If we want peace, we need to preserve creation by rechanneling these activities.”
Reaffirming that “protection of creation is indeed an important element of peace and justice,” Benedict XVI denounced the enormous resources being consumed in military spending and in the cost of maintaining and developing nuclear arsenals, deploring the fact that “arms production and export helps to perpetuate conflicts and violence, as in Darfur, in Somalia or in the Democratic Republic of the Congo...There is no need to insist on the extent to which such conflicts damage and degrade the environment. Finally, how can I fail to mention terrorism, which endangers countless innocent lives and generates widespread anxiety?” The Pope then spoke of the situation of Christians in the Middle East: “Beleaguered in various ways, even in the exercise of their religious freedom, they are leaving the land of their forebears, where the Church took root during the earliest centuries.”
The community of believers wishes to offer its contribution to solving the dramatic problems linked to the situation of the environment, which are rooted in a moral order and thus, should be resolved “within the framework of a great programme of education aimed at promoting an effective change of thinking and at creating new lifestyles.” “In certain countries, mainly in the West, one increasingly encounters in political and cultural circles, as well in the media, scarce respect and at times hostility, if not scorn, directed towards religion and towards Christianity in particular,” the Pontiff said, mentioning the “urgent need to delineate a positive and open secularity which, grounded in the just autonomy of the temporal order and the spiritual order, can foster healthy cooperation and a spirit of shared responsibility.”
In concluding his address, the Pontiff recalled “the natural disasters which this past year have sown death, suffering and destruction” in the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and in Italy's Abruzzi region. Faced with events like these, generous aid should never be lacking, “since the life itself of God’s children is at stake.” He also recalled “constructive dialogue” for resolving “disagreements and conflicts” between states in defense of peace, mentioning the example of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Argentina and Chile, reached thanks to the mediation of the Apostolic See 25 years ago. The Holy Father was also pleased to note the rapprochement upon which Columbia and Ecuador have embarked, the agreement concluded between Croatia and Slovenia on arbitration regarding their sea and land borders, the accord between Armenia and Turkey for the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, and expressed his hope that “through dialogue, relations will improve among all the countries of the southern Caucasus.”
As for the Holy Land, the Pope once again raised his voice, calling “for a universal recognition of the right of the State of Israel to exist and to enjoy peace and security within internationally recognized borders. Likewise, the right of the Palestinian people to a sovereign and independent homeland, to live in dignity and to enjoy freedom of movement, ought to be recognized.” In particular, he called for the support of everyone “for the protection of the identity and sacred character of Jerusalem.” He then called on the government leaders and the citizens of Iraq “to overcome their divisions and the temptation to violence and intolerance, in order to build together the future of their country. The Christian communities also wish to make their own contribution, but if this is to happen, they need to be assured respect, security and freedom.” In Pakistan, as well, he asked that “everything be done...to ensure that Christians feel fully a part of the life of their country.” “In speaking of acts of violence against Christians, I cannot fail to mention also the deplorable attack which the Egyptian Coptic community suffered in recent days, during its celebration of Christmas. Concerning Iran, I express my hope that through dialogue and cooperation joint solutions will be found on the national as well as the international level. I encourage Lebanon, which has emerged from a lengthy political crisis, to continue along the path of concord. I hope that Honduras, after a period of uncertainty and unrest, will move towards a recovery of normal political and social life. I desire the same for Guinea and Madagascar with the effective and disinterested aid of the international community.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/1/2010)