The environmental concerns of the Maltese Church

Abstract

Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato si’, On the Care of Our Common Home has been described as “one of the most significant statements on human-environment relationships ever made within the Catholic Church.” Yet this was by no means the first ever Church pronouncement on care for the environment. In fact, the “Green Encyclical” itself quotes several sources within the tradition of the Church and even beyond, going as far back as the Canticle of Francis of Assisi, and even quoting the 9th century Muslim mystic Ali Al Khawas. Pope Francis also relies heavily on his predecessors who likewise gave importance to safeguarding creation. The local Church’s concern for the environment did not start with Laudato si’ either (herafter LS). It would suffice to mention, inter alia, the Diocesan Synod held between 1999 and 2003. Even before that, Prof. Carmelo Sant, the distinguished biblical scholar, had dedicated his 1986 oration to theology graduands precisely on the matter. In any case, the pronouncements and initiatives taken by the local Church on environmental matters allow the Church to engage in dialogue in the “public square” on consequential issues to contemporary and future generations. At the same time, however, they ought to form consciences for responsible citizenship and faithful stewardship among its own members. [excerpt]