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

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SZABOLCS ANZELM SZUROMI, O.PRAEM.

If we analyze the sources of the Encyclical Letter Laudato si’, without doubt we must mention at least three of Pope Francis’ predecessors: Blessed Paul VI (1963-1978), Saint John Paul II (1978-2005) and Benedict XVI (2005-2013). The text of the Encyclical letter Popolorum Progressio (March 26* 1967)9 10 11 12 13, the Apostolic Letter Octogesima Adveniens (May 14* 1971)"’, the Encyclical Letter Redemptor Hominis (March 4"1 1979)11, the Enyclical Letter Centesimus Annus (May lsl 1991)'\ and the Encyclical Letter Caritas in Ventate (June 29th 2009)IJ can be named as the treasure of the most important milestones which have made significant conceptual influence on the new Encyclical Letter by Pope Francis. Beside these, we cannot forget Saint John Paul IPs Address to the 35th General Assembly of the World Medical Association (October 29* 1983)14. the Message for the 1990 (by Pope John Paul II)15 and the 2010 World Day of Peace (by Pope Benedict XVI)16 17.1 do not intend to give a complete list of sources, because anyone can find the proper references of the Encyclical Letter Laudato si' at the end of the document, but for the presentation how complex is this particular papal document, it is necessary to indicate the so called Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (June 14"’ 1992)'7; the Declaration Love for Creation. An Asian Response to the Ecological Crisis (Colloquium sponsored by Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, January 3 Is’ -February 5lh 1993); the statement of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Japan on Reverence for Life. A Message for the Twenty-First Century (January Is’ 2000); the statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and Common Good (June 15* 2001); the pastoral letter of the Bolivian Bishop Conference on the Environment and Human Development in Bolivia, entitled El universe, don de Dios para la vida (23rd March 2012); and the Closing Remarks of Halki Summit I - Istanbul on Global Responsibility and Ecological Sustainability (June 20* 2012). Even this "fragmented” demonstration, we can make a clear-out overview, how the Laudato si' has been elaborated based on the most significant Catholic statements on the

9 Paulus VI, Enc. Populorum Progressio (26 March 1967), 34: AAS 59 ( 1967) 274.

10 Paulus VI, Litt. Ap. Octogesima Adveniens (14 May 1971), 21 : AAS 63 (1971) 416-417.

11 Ioannes Paulus II, Enc. Redemptor Hominis (4 March 1979), 15: AAS 71 (1979) 287.

12 Ioannes Paulus II, Enc. Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 38: AAS 83 (1991), 841.

13 Benedictus XVI, Enc. Caritas in Verdate (29 June 2009), 51 : AAS 101 (2009) 687.

14 Ioannes Paulus II. Address to the 35"' General Assembly of the World Medical Association (29 October 1983), 6: AAS 76 (1984) 394.

15 Ioannes Paulus II, Message for the 1990 World Day of Peace (1 ian. 1990) 1: AAS 82 (1990) 147.

16 Benedictus XVI, Message for the 2010 World Day of Peace ( 1 ian. 2010) 8: AAS 102(2010)45.

17 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development ( 14 iun. 1992), Principles 1,4, 15.