Many individuals and communities want to protect the environment from unlimited exploitation and unjustified destruction. Their commitment is not appreciated by all. They often face strong and violent resistance. Martyrs in the cause of protecting our common home In Africa, a tragic example is Ken Saro-Wiwa (1941-95), Nigerian writer, television producer, environmental activist and member… Read the full article
A seminar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) was held at Santa Clara University (Silicon Valley, California) from April 3-5, 2019, sponsored by the China Forum for Civilizational Dialogue (an institution born from the joint commitment of La Civiltà Cattolica and Georgetown University) and the Pontifical Council for Culture. The event was hosted by the Tech &… Read the full article
“Water has no enemy,” says a proverb often heard in southern Nigeria. Beside featuring in many aphorisms, water provides the inspiration for the naming of many people in that part of the world. For example, the full name of Ameze is Ameze i si ofo, meaning “fresh water doesn’t cause perspiration.” Amenaghawon is short for… Read the full article
The article describes the Church’s contribution to COP24, the World Conference on Climate Change held in December 2018. The Secretary of State and the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York intervened at the conference, underlining the need for urgent action. Progress has been made in regulating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but the political will to act promptly has been lacking. The authors, Michael Czerny, SJ and his brother Robert Czerny are respectively, Undersecretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, and a freelance author.
On the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Pontifical Academy for Life (PAL), Pope Francis sent a letter of gratitude in recognition of its service and to relaunch its mission for the future. Recalling the communal origin and destiny of the human family, the pope widens the horizon in which human life is to… Read the full article
“The story of Naboth is an old one, but it is repeated every day.”[1] This is how Ambrose begins the tale of poor Naboth whose death was contrived by King Ahab so that he could take possession of his vineyard. Naboth of Israel, Ahab of Samaria, his wife Jezebel and the prophet Elijah are the… Read the full article
Introduction “No one throws a stone where he or she has placed a container of milk.” The wisdom of this Rwandan saying has never been as needed as it is today, particularly with regard to the depletion of the environment. We continue to throw stones that destroy our “common home.”[1] I use this proverb to… Read the full article
Pope Francis and the primacy of reality When speaking of evangelization in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (EG), Pope Francis addresses the topics of the common good and social peace (EG 217-237). He speaks of four principles in this regard: time is greater than space (222-225), unity prevails over conflict (226-230), realities are more important… Read the full article
