The Vatican’s Moral Crisis Profits or Why We Support Climate Change

Skip Shea
June 18, 2015

https://skipshea.wordpress.com/2015/06/18/the-vaticans-moral-crisis-profits-or-why-we-support-climate-change/

[Laudato Si]

Today the New York Times published an article titled Pope Francis, in Sweeping Encyclical, Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change by Jim Yardley and Laurie Goldstein which outlines a “radical transformation of politics, economics and individual lifestyles to confront environmental degradation and climate change” by Pope Francis in the latest papal encyclical (an official teaching document for members of the Catholic Church)

The article states:

Francis has made clear that he hopes the encyclical will influence energy and economic policy and stir a global movement. He calls on ordinary people to pressure politicians for change. Bishops and priests around the world are expected to lead discussions on the encyclical in services on Sunday. But Francis is also reaching for a wider audience when in the first pages of the document he asks “to address every person living on this planet.”

Even before the release, Francis’ unflinching stance against environmental destruction, and his demand for global action, had already thrilled many scientists. In recent weeks, advocates of policies to combat climate change have expressed hope that Francis could lend a “moral dimension” to the debate, because winning scientific arguments was different from moving people to action.

Francis believes, being the Pope and all, will add a moral dimension to help stir a global movement. There seems to be a real sense of urgency here.

Which is one of the best closing techniques of any good salesperson. For instance if you don’t buy the house now that other couple is about to put in an offer, if you don’t put on sunscreen you will die of skin cancer or if you don’t come to our church and worship our God you will spend eternity in Hell. Things like that.

And there is a bit of salesmanship in the Pope’s plea. Because according to the Wealth Collection, a magazine dedicated to “exploring the best the world has to offer and advises on the most luxurious ways to enjoying your wealth”, the Vatican plans to build Europe’s biggest solar power plant and the world’s largest offshore wind farm is slated for London’s Thames Estuary.

Yes, the Vatican is looking to invest in green energy. And by making it a global moral crisis it is looking for new places to help that investment grow.

Look, I am all for green energy and investing in it. Climate change is real and needs to be addressed and it is a good thing the Catholic Church, as large as it is, is leading the charge. It can only help the planet.

But be honest about it. In order to trust what they say there needs to be full disclosure. They are already selling surplus energy from the solar energy back to the Italian National Grid. Because that’s what all non-profits do. They are into green energy for the color of money just as much as they are to save the planet. By making environmentalism an official part of the Church’s teachings also helps expand their financial portfolio.

Which is the larger problem I find with Pope Francis. There is never full transparency. Why would I trust their tribunal that will hold Bishop’s who cover up the crimes of sexual abuse of children, when there is always an ulterior motive. Always.

Come clean with your energy policy. And come clean with the cover up of clergy sexual abuse. Full disclosure. Open the files. All of them.