Pope Francis has made several statements and written several encyclicals and books since becoming Pope. Below are excerpts from Laudato Si which we believe are particularly important to the mission of Pax Christi Texas. You are encouraged to read the entire encyclical in order to fully appreciate the Pope’s wisdom. A link to the encyclical is shown following the excerpts.
This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life. This is why the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she “groans in travail” (Rom8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf.Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.