POPE ISSUES FORCEFUL ENVIRONMENTAL MESSAGE FOR WORLD PEACE

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SUBJECT: POPE ISSUES FORCEFUL ENVIRONMENTAL MESSAGE FOR WORLD PEACE
DAY


1. (U) The deterioration of any one part of the planet affects
us all, Pope Benedict said in his message for World Peace Day,
Jan. 1, 2010 (released December 15). According to the Pope, the
world's population cannot remain indifferent to environmental
degradation. Government policies, the activity of multinational
corporations and the day-to-day behavior of individuals all have
an impact on the environment. Pope Benedict observed that while
the future of the world hangs in the balance because of what
people are doing today, in the present we can already see the
negative effects of pollution and environmental exploitation.




2. (U) In his message, the pontiff drew attention to the
growing phenomenon of environmental refugees, "people who are
forced by the degradation of their natural habitat" to migrate
in search of food, water and unpolluted air. Benedict warned of
"actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural
resources." He said the issue of environmental degradation
challenges people to examine their lifestyles and models of
consumption and production, "which are often unsustainable from
a social, environmental and even economic point of view."
Because the environmental crisis is global, it must be met with
a universal sense of responsibility and solidarity toward people
in other parts of the world, as well as toward future
generations, he concluded.




3. (U) Presenting the message to the press, Cardinal Renato
Martino, recently retired president of the Pontifical Council
for Justice and Peace, said Pope Benedict does not want to
propose technical solutions or interfere in government policies.
That is a job for governments. Rather, Martino said the Pope
was reaffirming the Church's commitment to defend the earth,
water and air. The Pope rejects the views of the two extremes
when discussing the environment: that humans are free to do
"whatever they want" with the Earth and that humans person is
simply one group among the many creatures on Earth, with no
special rights. "If the person has no special rights, he also
does not have special responsibilities," the Cardinal said.




4. (SBU) Comment: The Pope released his World Peace Day
message early to have the strongest possible effect on final
deliberations in Copenhagen. His message further substantiates
his "green" reputation. His message is more complex than that
of many environmental stewards, as he argues that humanity's
responsibilities to care for the planet are part of a seamless
moral imperative. He links ecology to a large range of issues
like disarmament, freedom of religion, and the protection of
human life from conception to natural death. End comment.

DIAZ