Pope Benedict XVI says environment has been undervalued by Catholics

Pope Benedict XVI, who has arguably been the most vocal Pope on environmental concerns, told 400 priests in a closed meeting in Northern Italy that "God entrusted man with the responsibility of creation". Denying that environmental degradation was partially a product of Christian teaching—for example the belief that God gave man dominion over the earth—instead the Pope said that the destruction of the environment was primarily due to materialism: living in a "materialistic world" where "God is denied" has led to the environment's current state. "In a world closed in on its materialism," the Pope commented. "It is easier for the human being to make himself the dictator of all other creatures and of nature." Deforestation and erosion in Madagascar; truck carrying coal in Wesern China. Photos by Rhett A. Butler The Pope cited... [read full story]