Leonardo"s Notebook by Mattheus Mei

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Vatican goes solar?


According to Total Catholic via American Papist - the Paul IV hall is going solar. I appreciate Mr. Peters of AmP's publicity of such moves by Holy Mamma despite my disagreeing with his rancorous attitude towards the Vatican in any way promoting the 'environmental cause'.

"So, exactly when is the Vatican going to cease associating itself with such silliness?!" - AmP 1/9/08

I can't help but roll my eyes every time he blathers his enviroskeptisism. He has his opinions and he's afforded them but all things being equal: even IF (ain't that a big "IF"?) there's no such thing as the Global Warming boogie monster -- what's so wrong with the Pope and his City using solar panels - would Mr. Peters prefer the Pontiff to use petroleum? coal?

And I'm really not buying his arguement that it's wrong to exogete from church teachings the value of environmental stewardship and his dismissing as silliness the notion of doing good works as a way of protecting God's creation as a spiritual merit. We are after all a Church that requires persons to confess their sinfullness and do penance. Throughout the ages that idea of penance has evolved to mean various things and has been used by various personalities. From Flagellents to the most famous Tetzel:

"As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, / The soul at once into Heaven springs."

And guess what - the church still allows for mortification and even the purchase - yes purchase of indulgences. So what's wrong with a little enviro-indulgence? Whether it's Tetzel, your local priest, or a CEO comparing Solar panels to the fourth gift of the Magi - what's wrong with people incorporating the teachings of the church in their lives in such fashions? Many post-modern conservatives call it paganism, destructive, against the church; I say if the church wields it and molds it - much like this pontiff is doing - then call it the next step in the evolution of Christianity. Besides the Church has been doing it for years, don't believe me look at the language of the old Funeral Rite for one example:
Dies iræ, dies illa
Solvet sæclum in favilla,
teste David cum Sibylla...

Sphere: Related Content

No comments: