Comment on: "Muddy Boots and a Cassock: A Commentary on Laudato Si, the Enclyclical Letter of Pope Francis" by Dr. Philip G. Hill
Animals: Tradition - Philosophy - Religion Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

Comment on: “Muddy Boots and a Cassock: A Commentary on Laudato Si, the Enclyclical Letter of Pope Francis” by Dr. Philip G. Hill

Dr. Hill notes that Pope Francis’ Encyclical letter Laudato Si offers very encouraging thoughts about the value of the environment and the individual beings living within it. In particular, Pope Francis recognizes the inter-dependence of all life. He identifies greed as a driving force behind ecological damage, and he notes that the poor are most vulnerable to environmental change.

Nonetheless, Pope Francis accepts the widespread Judeo-Christian belief that humans are unique creations with attributes that warrant humanity’s dominion (but not ruthless domination) of creation. Hill notes that modern science has contradicted this view of humanity. Further, Hill argues that this view lends itself to a humanocentric worldview, which tends to undermine efforts to confront the growing ecological crisis.

To read Hill’s thoughtful commentary, see Muddy Boots and a Cassock: A Commentary on Laudato Si, the Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis.

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