Folia Theologica et Canonica 6. 28/20 (2017)
SACRA THEOLOGIA - Szabolcs Anzelm Szuromi, O.Praem.. Encyclical letter «Laudato si’» as ‘constitution’ on responsibility of global sustainability
54 SZABOLCS ANZELM SZUROMI, O.PRAEM. law - or basic norm - which is always the central reference point of a particular legal system.21 If we use the expression of constitution in the context about global sustainability it has to mean - following this logic - that essential definition, description, theory, principle, teaching - and obviously is possible to continue this list with the further expressions - which well-founding any idea, initiation, process, zeal, solution, etc. related with sustainability and protection of the created world based on the teaching of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis concerning this “constitution” points out in the Arts. 18-19 of his Encyclical Letter, that “The continued acceleration of changes affecting humanity and the planet is coupled today with a more intensified pace of life and work which might be called “rapidification”. Although change is part of the working of complex systems, the speed with which human activity has developed contrasts with the naturally slow pace of biological evolution. Moreover, the goals of this rapid and constant change are not necessarily geared to the common good or to integral and sustainable human development. Change is something desirable, yet it becomes a source of anxiety when it causes harm to the world and to the quality of life of much of humanity. - Following a period of irrational confidence in progress and human abilities, some sectors of society are now adopting a more critical approach. We see increasing sensitivity to the environment and the need to protect nature, along with a growing concern, both genuine and distressing, for what is happening to our planet. Let us review, however cursorily, those questions which are troubling us today and which we can no longer sweep under the carpet. Our goal is not to amass information or to satisfy curiosity, but rather to become painfully aware, to dare to turn what is happening to the world into our own personal suffering and thus to discover what each of us can do about it.” V. It is quite clear that the preferences and the discussed themes within the Laudato si' differs from the structure of many current political or economic statements or elaborations. Even the beginning of the papal document essential differs from those elaborated or closing declaration which have been dedicated to sustainability and the protection of our World during the last decades by political leaders.22 The Holy Father quotes St. Francis of Assisi, acclaiming: “Praise be to you. my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs”. Pope Francis 21 Cf. Molano, E., Derecho Constitutional Canònico, Pamplona 2013. 28-29. 22 About the administrative instruments, processes, requirements, liability and decisions of the European Court of Justice regarding environmental issues in detailed, cf. Bandi, Gy. (ed.), The Environmental Jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice, Budapest 2008. 237-269.
