The article, titled Vatican Agrees to Reforestation Project, emphasizes the efforts the Holy See has made to be environmentally friendly. Pope Benedict noted that Christians should unite to take “care of creation without squandering its resources and (share) them in a convivial manner.” The article also notes that the Vatican is considering installing solar panels in some buildings. Good for the Pope and the Vatican! With the big media’s hammering of the Pope for supposed backwardness and lack of inclusivity, a person would expect them to talk about the Pope’s role in one of their pet issues: the environment. I’m not holding my breath.
What is my take on all of this? Good for the Pope and the Vatican. Conservatives and traditional Catholics need to develop an environmentalism (I dislike this word, however) that is sensible, emphasizes human freedom and the common good, and doesn’t necessarily involve the government at every turn. Caring for the earth and using its resources wisely should be a universal concern for all people of all faiths. Radicals cannot hijack such an important movement. The Vatican provides a good, sensible example of how we can move forward: Catholics making a big difference on the local level. The Vatican is going green; how perfect for ordinary time.

I’ll have more to say about a conservative and Catholic approach to conservation and caring for the earth at a later date. It’s an issue that needs to be explored.

Thanks to Dave Hartline at the Catholic Report for the article.