Monday, May 14, 2007

Green Pope Says 'Save Amazon'

Addressing 40,000 young people in Brazil, Pope Benedict has called for "greater commitment" to fighting environmental devastation in the Amazon basin that threatens indigenous peoples in the region.

"The devastation of the environment in the Amazon basin and the threats against the human dignity of peoples living within that region call for greater commitment," Pope Benedict told a stadium fullo of enthusiastic young Brazilians, Catholic News reports.

"Stretching out in front of you, my dear friends, is a life that all of us hope will be long; yet it is only one life, it is unique; do not let it pass in vain; do not squander it," the pope said."Live it with enthusiasm and with joy, but most of all with a sense of responsibility," he said.

About 40,000 young people crowded into the Paulo Machado de Carvalho soccer stadium for the papal encounter, and others spilled out into the Pacaembu neighborhood of Sao Paulo. Many arrived hours before the event.

The papal program included a song calling for protection of the environment and an end to burning and killing in the Amazon region. As the music rang out, video projections of threatened Amazon species were shown on a giant screen.

Young men and women from various areas of the country performed rhythmic dances that reflected their local cultures.When people see the beauty of creation, the pope said in his address, "it is impossible not to believe in God."

He said Brazilians' desire to protect the country's natural environment, especially the vast forests of the Amazon region, reflects this awareness of the creator."The devastation of the environment in the Amazon basin and the threats against the human dignity of peoples living within that region call for greater commitment," he said.

God's commandments are important, the pope said, and it is even more important to witness them in daily life.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Sotto Voce