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The prophetic insights that we currently channel into climate scapegoating of the fossil fuel industry are better placed speaking to a new vision of what could be. Instead of vilifying others and barking out demands, how about inventing a future that can inspire, that speaks to modes of work and play that are joyous and hopeful? We have a surplus of anger, but a deficiency of cheerful action. Let us Catholics shine a light on a more positive path of restoration and earthly stewardship.
Many Catholics are already doing so through a multitude of diocesan and community projects and programs guided by the words and spirit of church teachings. But much of that work is poorly shared, scarcely recognized by others and failing in its catalytic potential. The Catholic Church possesses the ideas, skills, resources and reasons for taking local and global leadership on transformational structural change. If not us, who? …
Look around: A wellspring of individuals and groups seek change. They need help, help that should come from Catholics who take Scripture seriously and who appreciate the words and spirit of such documents as Laudato Si’. The beauty of the church’s teaching on justice and equity, ecology and economics, is that it resonates with all major religions, Indigenous and otherwise.
An accelerated transition to renewable energy should of course continue, but an energy transition is not nearly enough, especially one that is founded on the simplistic yet necessary castigation of fossil fuels. Unless we spark a socio-economic-political transformation we will have forsaken the opportunities that crises present. In our fight for climate justice, we must vilify less (while holding corrupt and greedy corporate structures accountable) and be considerate of those heroes who have served us well in the past and who need our compassion now.
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