Society in transition: Diocesan Council calls for transformation for the earth

Society in transition: Diocesan Council calls for transformation for the earth

On the second day of the autumn general assembly, the diocesan council met in Cologne to discuss the urgently needed social transformation. The reason for these controversies is the 800th anniversary of Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Sun, a text that remains highly relevant today. Diocesan Council Chairwoman Hildegard Schütz emphatically stated that the earth should not be viewed as a possession, but as a sister, and emphasized that creation is our common home. In this context, she referred to the philosophically and spiritually profound approach of internal transformation as essential for external changes.

Keyword change: Prof. Dr. Martin Schneider, moral theologian and social ethicist, gave an impressive keynote speech about the need to work on the social structure. He highlighted the importance of the encyclical “Laudato Si”, which represents a turning point in the discussion on ecological and social consciousness. Schneider sharply criticized the fact that many important decisions are still being put off. “Business as usual” is no longer sustainable, especially in view of the approaching tipping points in our ecosystems. He recalled that people have the right to demand clean water - a goal that requires not only external but also internal transformation.

The path to a future worth living

Schneider quoted noted environmental activist Joanna Macy, who sees the challenge of shepherding a dying culture and creating a new, life-sustaining community. Investors like a “politics of sufficiency” are seen as necessary to sustainably change lifestyles and view ecosystems as community property. The delegates discussed in various working groups how such changes can be made acceptable to the majority both in the personal environment and on a social level.

These discussions are by no means new. The encyclical Laudato Si, published on May 24, 2015 by Pope Francis, has brought climate change into the spotlight and de-legitimized deniers inside and outside the church. The climate researcher Ottmar Edenhofer, who played a key role in the creation of the encyclical, brought into focus the need for a holistic view of nature, the environment and the atmosphere as the common property of humanity. With the new Pope, Leo XIV, he hopes for a continuation of this tradition, which emphasizes the cohesion and unity of the Church and pushes for the fair use of global resources.

Urgency for a new ethics

As is repeatedly mentioned in the documents of the German Bishops' Conference, the responsibility for creation as a church mission is a central theme. The publication “On the Value of Diversity – Biodiversity as a Test of Responsibility for Creation” is an example of the church’s comprehensive efforts to create awareness of these issues. In recent years it has become clear again and again that not only the established classical Christian values, but also the scientific perspective are important for sustainable development.

Whether in climate protection, the energy transition or the preservation of biological diversity: the debates are diverse and require an interdisciplinary dialogue between faith and science. As Edenhofer emphasizes, a more intensive deliberative process for social encyclicals is crucial in order to improve moral and scientific judgments and finally put effective steps into action. In view of the critical situation, joint efforts are now required.

In this respect, it is essential to take into account the lessons from the past and to make the findings fruitful for future-proof development. The discussion surrounding the “Song of the Sun” and the honest thoughts of Francis of Assisi associated with it are more relevant than ever in this context and invite everyone to help shape a future worth living.

Find out more about the challenging topics surrounding climate and social ethics: bistum-augsburg.de, vaticannews.va, dbk.de.