Vatican envoy: 'no further room for denial' on climate change
May 25, 2015
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The Vatican’s representative at UN offices in Geneva has proclaimed that there is “no further room for denial” that “human-induced climate change is a scientific reality.”
Speaking to a World Health Assembly meeting on climate change, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi reminded listeners that the Holy See has pressed for action to safeguard the environment. He observed that Pope Benedict XVI was called “the green Pope” because of his expressions of concern, and Pope Francis is now preparing “a special teaching document on climate justice.”
Archbishop Tomasi also reported on the recent Vatican conference on climate change, which brought together religious leaders and technical experts. It was that conference, he said, that “left no further room for denial” about the nature of the problem.
The Vatican representative said that wealth nations have a moral duty to take the lead in addressing climate change. “They have a special obligation to help their fellow men in developing countries to cope with climate change by mitigating its effects and by assisting with adaptation.”
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Posted by: Thomas429 -
May. 26, 2015 6:56 PM ET USA
No, not now, not ever. This is just wrong. It is extreme hubris on the part of man to believe that he can impact the climate. There have been cycles of warming and cooling since creation itself. We were in a warming period for the last 250-300 years. It looks as if we are entering a period of cooling. No action or inaction on our part has had or will have anything to do with it.
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Posted by: unum -
May. 26, 2015 11:55 AM ET USA
"It was that conference, he said, that 'left no further room for denial' about the nature of the problem." Archbishop Tomasi's remarks sound a lot like those of the Roman Inquisition that tried Galileo. He must have forgotten that John Paul II had to correct the Vatican's position only 250 years later, or he would have been more guarded in his remarks.
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Posted by: bernie4871 -
May. 26, 2015 10:26 AM ET USA
Perhaps there was some element of validity in the old Protestant concern/prejudice against a Catholic US President. The question of National loyalty must present itself in the minds of many, especially those well informed persons who disagree with this quasi moral judgmental over-reach by the Holy See. In the words of Cardinal Ratzinger, The only thing we are guaranteed by the Holy Spirit in the election of a Pope is that the Pope "wont destroy the whole thing"
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
May. 25, 2015 11:00 PM ET USA
There are many scientists who would deny this.
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Posted by: armkmm0376 -
May. 25, 2015 6:46 PM ET USA
There is a difference between true man made climate change and environnmental damage done by man. To think that man can control the environment is pure folly. To use this claim to acquire money from wealthy nations for poor nations is dishonest. We should help those that need our help but policies put in place because of "climate change" often do not help the poor at all. The vatican should stay of this. They are being used and will unfortunately drive away some Catholics I fear.
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Posted by: aclune9083 -
May. 25, 2015 6:17 PM ET USA
Achbshp Tomasi shows his ignorance of the science behind climtae change (see reputable dissenters to the IPCC here: Heartland Institute: H. Sterling Burnett
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Posted by: polish.pinecone4371 -
May. 25, 2015 6:08 PM ET USA
This is a prudential matter. As such, I beg to differ with His Excellency and hope that he produces all of the documentation to support his claim. I hope he also includes that which opposes his claim and refutes every reasonable argument against it. But I'm not going to hold my breath.
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Posted by: veniteadoremus1822 -
May. 25, 2015 5:40 PM ET USA
What are "things" that cannot be denied? Objective truths -- NOT conclusions drawn by a majority. And in the scientific realm there are, perhaps surprisingly, very, very few objective truths. That human beings have contributed to global warming is a common argument. The question is whether this contribution is at all significant, and, if significant, reversible. Those questions would seem to be outside the scope of subjects properly addressed by faith.
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Posted by: BobJ70777069 -
May. 25, 2015 5:26 PM ET USA
I'm glad that infallibility is only in the area of faith and morals.
