Pope Francis and the Council of Justice of Peace and Academy of Science
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On April 28, 2015, Pope Francis hosted an international interfaith summit on human-induced climate change and the religious, political and business leaders issued a joint statement.This is part of the rising tide of religious leaders speaking out against fossil fuels and in favor of caring for the climate, oceans, the poor who are harmed, and all of earth creation.
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How can we begin to treat the oceans as a whole, with an understanding that the resources in the ocean are not meant just for those with the wealth and power to extract and harvest them, but for all?
In 1979, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace presented a working paper to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea about the vital issue of treating the world’s oceans with consideration for all people, with special consideration for the poorest among us. Updated in 2011, “The Universal Purpose of Created Things” is an urgent call for new ways of thinking, not based on economic territories but on the full ocean ecosystem and just access for all.
The Franciscan Friars Care for Creation Initiative also recognizes the Universal Purpose of Created Things. As the Franciscan Friars insist, "Things belong not to the few but to the entire human family."
In 1979, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace presented a working paper to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea about the vital issue of treating the world’s oceans with consideration for all people, with special consideration for the poorest among us. Updated in 2011, “The Universal Purpose of Created Things” is an urgent call for new ways of thinking, not based on economic territories but on the full ocean ecosystem and just access for all.
The Franciscan Friars Care for Creation Initiative also recognizes the Universal Purpose of Created Things. As the Franciscan Friars insist, "Things belong not to the few but to the entire human family."
The United Nations has declared the oceans to be the common heritage of humanity. But roughly one-third of the oceans has been recognized as economic zones under the control of coastal nations by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Much work still needs to be done to move beyond economic discussions to conversations based also on the intrinsic value of each species, habitat, and marine system and the need to ensure their continued healthy existence.