Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ quotes the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ statement on the environment which they published in 2006.
Paragraph 95 of Laudato Si’ reads: “The natural environment is a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity and the responsibility of everyone. If we make something our own, it is only to administer it for the good of all.”
“If we do not, we burden our consciences with the weight of having denied the existence of others.”
“That is why the New Zealand bishops asked what the commandment “Thou shall not kill” means when “twenty percent of the world’s population consumes resources at a rate that robs the poor nations and future generations of what they need to survive”.
Cardinal John Dew, chairman of the New Zealand Catholic bishops’ conference says that the Bishops are humbled to have been quoted by the Pope in his encyclical.
Dew said the Bishops are looking forward to “studying and reflecting on the message and engaging in dialogue with politicians, our own parishes and schools, and the wider community”.
He invited everyone “to read these words.”
Read complete text of Cardinal Dew’s statement
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