Tag: dearmothrearth

Quote/s of the Day – Pope Francis – Laudato Si – – 1 September – World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

“Creatures are not just resources but have value in and of themselves and give glory to God

It is not enough, however, to think of different species merely as potential “resources” to be exploited, while overlooking the fact that they have value in themselves.  Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see because they have been lost for ever.   The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity.   Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us.   We have no such right. (33)”

“Overpopulation is not the problem

Instead of resolving the problems of the poor and thinking of how the world can be different, some can only propose a reduction in the birth rate.   At times, developing countries face forms of international pressure which make economic assistance contingent on certain policies of “reproductive health”. […]   To blame population growth instead of extreme and selective consumerism on the part of some, is one way of refusing to face the issues.   It is an attempt to legitimise the present model of distribution, where a minority believes that it has the right to consume in a way which can never be universalised, since the planet could not even contain the waste products of such consumption. (50)”

Pope Francis – Laudato Si

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfolds rich blessing on our way,
O praise God! Alleluia!
The fruits and flowers that verdant grow,
Let them His praise abundant show.
O praise God, O praise God,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

St. Francis of Assisi
(Translated by William H Draper) (Image by St Francis by Albert Chevallier Tayler)