9/27/2015 2:48 PM Discussion Guide for Small Groups* Good Shepherd Catholic Church Fall 2015 Please use this guide as a starting point for reflection and discussion. Use the questions as a guide for reflection so you can share your reflection, as time allows, in the small group discussion. We enter into dialogue with this Papal Encyclical in a spirit of faith and Christian sharing. Participants are invited to be mindful of the sacred context of our discussions and be open to and respectful of others who may share views that are different from yours. Introduction The pope begins the encyclical by summarizing his presentation and citing earlier popes and other religious leaders who have spoken about the environment. He says Sister Earth cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. What did you read that struck you or moved you? Did any of the statements from prior religious leaders that the pope cited surprise you or upset you? What is your personal view of the state of the natural environment? Pope Francis calls for dialogue that includes everyone. What groups or individuals are not easily included in a dialogue about the environment? Pope Francis concludes his introduction with an appeal (paragraphs 13 16). What is your response?
Chapter 1: What is happening to our Common Home? Pope Francis is a firm believer in the need to gather the facts in order to understand a problem. Chapter 1 presents the scientific consensus on climate change along with a description of other threats to the environment, including threats to water supplies and biodiversity. He also looks at how environmental degradation has affected human life and society. Finally, he writes about the global inequality of the environmental crisis. 1. What did you read that struck you or moved you in this chapter? Did you agree or disagree with any of the pope s statements? 2. What points in this chapter do you find the most important? Why? 3. What does the Pope mean by a throwaway culture (22)? What examples of the throwaway culture do you see in our community? In our world? 4. What does the Pope mean when he says, The climate is a common good (23)? 5. Share some examples of how people in poverty who contribute the list toward waste and pollution are impacted most deeply by environmental devastation? (See pp. 25-31; 48-52) 6. Many people suggest population control is a response to poverty and/or dwindling environmental resources. The Pope and Catholic Teaching strongly disagree. Can you summarize why this is not an adequate response? 7. Life application: How does this chapter call you to make changes in your understanding or behavior?
Chapter 2: The Gospel of Creation The pope argues that faith convictions can motivate Christians to care for nature and for the most vulnerable of their brothers and sisters. He begins with the biblical account of creation and then meditates on the mystery of the universe, which he sees as a continuing revelation of the divine. Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth. He concludes, The earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone. 2. Share ways in which you meet God in Nature. Has your own experience of the created world helped you to pray or communicate with God? 3. Have you seen environmental issues impact your neighbors? If so, how? 4. Pope Francis writes that humans do not have unilateral power to use up the resources of the world. (67) What rights do we have to use the earth s resources? Are there limits? Should there be limits? What is humanity s role in creation, as you see it? What guidance does Scripture offer to support your views? 5. Disregard for the duty to cultivate and maintain a proper relationship with my neighbor, for whose care and custody I am responsible, ruins my relationship with my own self, with others, with God and with the earth. When all these relationships are neglected, when justice no longer dwells in the land, the Bible tells us that life itself is endangered. (70) Question: Do you feel that we are connected to and through the environment? What are some ways we (humanity) can ensure balance and fairness in our relationships with others in our global community and with the earth? 6. What was the attitude of Jesus toward creation (96-100)? 7. Life application: How does this chapter call you to make changes in your understanding or behavior?
Chapter 3: The human roots of the ecological crisis Although science and technology can produce important means of improving the quality of human life, they have also given those with the knowledge, and especially the economic resources to use them, an impressive dominance over the whole of humanity and the entire world. Francis says we are enthralled with a technocratic paradigm, which promises unlimited growth. But this paradigm is based on the lie that there is an infinite supply of the earth s goods, and this leads to the planet being squeezed dry beyond every limit. Those supporting this paradigm show no interest in more balanced levels of production, a better distribution of wealth, concern for the environment and the rights of future generations. Their behavior shows that for them maximizing profits is enough. 2. What is the pope s attitude toward technology? What does he mean by the technocratic paradigm (101,106-114)? 3. What do you think: are humans in command of the earth or not? Should humans manage the earth and the environment? If so, what guidelines should govern our management of the earth and the environment? 4. What is your response to paragraph 117? How do you see this playing out in your nation or community? 5. Pope Francis says, We are all too slow in developing economic institutions and social initiatives which can give the poor regular access to basic resources (109). What does he mean? In your opinion, why does this happen? The document states: by itself the market cannot guarantee integral human development and social inclusion. Reflect on and discuss how this challenges our culture and society. 6. The Pope calls for a broadened vision (112), a bold cultural revolution (114). What would that look like? 7. Life application: Honestly reflect on how much stuff do you use and throw away each week? How does this chapter call you to make changes in your understanding or behavior?
Chapter 4: Integral ecology Recognizing the reasons why a given area is polluted requires a study of the workings of society, its economy, its behavior, and the ways it grasps reality. We are not faced with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis that is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature. 2. We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature. (139) How is our concern for our fellow human beings connected to our concern for the environment? 3. Pope Francis speaks of an integral ecology that combines environmental (138-140), economic (141), social (142), and cultural (143) ecologies. What does that mean? How does it work? How should it work? 4. How does poverty, over-crowding, lack of open spaces, and poor housing effect the poor (149)? Why does the pope feel that these are environmental issues? What is your opinion? 5. What exactly does the pope mean by the phrase common good? What role do you, or does anyone have, in maintaining the common good? 6. What is the purpose of our life in this world? Why are we here? What is the goal of our work and all our efforts? What need does the earth have of us? (160)? How would you answer Pope Francis questions? 7. Life application: How does this chapter call you to make changes in your understanding or behavior?
Chapter 5: Lines of approach and action What is to be done? Francis calls for dialogue on environmental policy in the international, national and local communities. This dialogue must include transparent decision-making so that the politics serve human fulfillment and not just economic interests. It also involves dialogue between religions and science working together for the common good. 2. Would you like to summarize or paraphrase any parts of this chapter that you thought were especially important? 3. Why does Pope Francis speak of the need for a global consensus to address environmental challenges effectively (164)? How can it be achieved? 4. What international strategies does Pope Francis oppose in responding to environmental issues (170-171), and which does he support (172-174)? 5. Pope Francis argues, The same mindset which stands in the way of making radical decisions to reverse the trend of global warming also stands in the way of achieving the goal of eliminating poverty (175). What is this mindset? Do you agree? 6. The church does not presume to settle scientific questions or to replace politics, Pope Francis says. But I am concerned to encourage an honest and open debate so that particular interests or ideologies will not prejudice the common good (188). What is the proper role of the church in political, economic and environmental issues? 7. What is your response to 189-190? What role does profit play in a robust economy? How does profit at any cost contribute to the degradation of the environment? 8. Life application: How does this chapter call you to make changes in your understanding or behavior?
Chapter 6: Ecological education and spirituality We need to change and develop new convictions, attitudes and forms of life, including a new lifestyle. This requires not only individual conversion, but also community networks to solve the complex situation facing our world today. Essential to this is a spirituality that can motivate us to a more passionate concern for the protection of our world. Christian spirituality proposes a growth and fulfillment marked by moderation and the capacity to be happy with little. Love, overflowing with small gestures of mutual care, is also civic and political, and it makes itself felt in every action that seeks to build a better world. 2. What is your response to 203 205? What is your own personal experience with consumption? What process do you (and the members of your household) go through when deciding to spend money? 3. What is your response to 208? Do we have to take the poor into account every time we buy groceries, cars, theater tickets, or meals in restaurants? What does Pope Francis mean here by a communal way of thinking? 4. How do you participate in caring for God s creation now? What would you like to do? 5. Self-improvement on the part of individuals will not by itself remedy the extremely complex situation we face today, according to the pope. What efforts are already happening in our region to encourage dialogue about the environment? How can we encourage more dialogue and participation in the Catholic community including our parish and beyond it on the significant ethical dimensions of the environmental crisis? 6. Do you agree that many political leaders are primarily concerned for short-term solutions? What ideas do you have to help civil and political leaders make decisions and policies that will benefit the generations to come? 7. Granted all of the problems we face, what gives Pope Francis joy and peace (222-227)? How can this help you? 8. Looking back over this entire encyclical, what were its most striking points to you? What two or three key thoughts or insights do you take away from this study? What actions has this study led you to consider taking? *This guide is a combination of materials taken from: Laudato Sí : On Care for our Common Home Discussion Guide by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, This study guide also includes a primer on social encyclicals and suggestions for taking action on Laudato Si. See pages 14-17 of the USCCB study guide, which you can find at: (add web site). A Reader s Guide to Laudato Si by Jesuit Fr Thomas Reese published by The National Catholic Reporter On Care for Our Common Home group reading guide to Pope Francis Laudato Si by Bill Huebsch
Prayers for Creation from Pope Francis. May be used as opening and/or closing prayers for Group Discussions A prayer for our earth All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.
A Christian prayer in union with creation Father, we praise you with all your creatures. They came forth from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love. Praise be to you! Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made. You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother, you became part of this earth, and you gazed upon this world with human eyes. Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory. Praise be to you! Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world towards the Father s love and accompany creation as it groans in travail. You also dwell in our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good. Praise be to you! Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you. Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is. God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live. The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen.