Laudato Si..how I would have written it, part I

The official disseration is here...It should have gone more like this:

1. God created the heavens and the earth (cf Gen 1), and as such we as His creation do not have a right to treat the earth as we wish and to simply do things without consequences. It is important that we do not confuse respect for His creation with worship of His creation. We adore the One True God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one in essence and undivided (cf Liturgy of St John Chrysostom). Pantheism is a heresy and is something that we cannot fall into as Christians. It is important to keep in mind the greatest commandment, To love God with all our hearts, minds and souls, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our care for His creation involves both our love for God, because all that He created is beautiful, as well as our love for neighbor to make our earthly time a good place to live.

2. There are different theories and ideals as to how we should go about taking care of our earth. We must avoid both extremes: We can't be indifferent to the environment or exalt the environment above everything else. It is important for each local community to consider its own resources and abilities as to how to consider solving problems that do exist. As I do not live in your areas, I do not think it would be wise to offer blanket advice as for what to consider to solve environmental issues.

3. It is also important to not let our technologies become an idol and detract us from God. Technology can be used for good or for ill, and once again, we can not fall into a situation where we have extremes of avoiding technology completely, or making technology an end all be all. Technologies that destroy human life in particular life in the womb are an abomination, and must be avoided at all costs. Abortion is a crime against the dignity of a person, and cannot be justified as a use to safeguard the environment. With God's command of being fruitful and multiplying, He did not create the earth without being mindful of His creation and the great advances they would make.

4. St Francis of Assisi is often noted for his love of nature. It can't be forgotten that his primary love was God and His Church. He sought the best for the Church and absolutely condemned Liturgical abuses as well as un-worthy vestments and vessels for God. Let us indeed imitate his love for God and for His Church.