Religion versus Sustainable Development. The Problem of Human Eco-development in the Teachings of John Paul II and Benedict XVI

Artur Niechwiej SI

Abstract

The problem of sustainable human development, in terms both of individual people and societies, represents an integral part of the Christian anthropology and Catholic doctrine. The Magisterium of the Catholic Church has expressed its view on this issue on many occasions. This topic was also commented on by two popes – John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Eight encyclicals have been analysed by the analytical-critical method. Those written by John Paul II are Redemptor Hominis, Laborem Exercens, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, Centesimus Annus and Evangelium Vitae, whereas those created by Benedict XVI are Deus Caritas Est, Spe Salvi and Caritas in Veritate. The popes’ manifestos were to a large extent universal messages addressed to the whole mankind. Their main theses, which were formulated in the context of sustainable development, are:

• Man is not only the master, but also a part of the creation. That is why he is responsible for and has to take care of animate and inanimate world.
• One should rather be than possess.
• The human progress is something desirable. The lack of equal division of natural resources and their wasteful exploitation are among the main reasons behind disproportions in the steady development of societies.
• Ecology of man, understood as a set of actions undertaken to improve the natural and moral structure of societies, should be prioritized as one of the activities aimed at facilitating sustainable development.
• In the era of quickly progressing globalisation ethics should have primacy over technology.
• It is necessary to respect each person’s dignity and life from their conception until their natural death as a way of building the civilisation of love.
• In the globalised world people should follow the logic of love for another human being and the whole creation and they should work for the common good.
• Globalisation as such morally neutral. It is as man who gives it an ethical (bad or good) meaning by his actions.