mike’s meditations Grappling with the Issues Mike Van Vranken, Spiritual Director If you’ve read this column more than once or twice, you know I often see both sides of many issues. I’m not one to hang on to the dualistic thinking that everything is either good or bad, happy or sad, right or wrong, weak or strong, clear or fuzzy, white or black, sacred or profane, and on and on. I recently listened to a podcast where representatives from two Catholic universities were explaining how their institutions have made the decision to be fully divested of fossil fuels within a particular number of years. It is easily a pro-life issue where the use of these non-renewable energy resources damages the health of God’s creation, including humans. At the same time, at least in our state, the use of fossil fuels provides much needed jobs, incomes, and tax revenues. In the short term, it seems we need to continue producing and using these resources. In the long run, if the rest of the world continues to find ways to divest, we end up with no value to our resources at all, and consequently, a loss of jobs, incomes, and taxes. Catholic teaching tells us to always have our focus on the common good for all people. When we make decisions, we lean towards those choices that help people spiritually, morally, physically, emotionally, mentally, and economically. In other words, our hearts and our actions are synchronized to lift and improve the circumstances of all life both now and in the future. So, to me, deciding to divest in something like fossil fuels is one that takes prayer and discernment. Let’s use the Diocese of Shreveport as an example. First look at Pope St. John Paul II’s 1990 World Peace Day address where he said the ecology issue is a moral issue and specifically mentioned the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels. Benedict XVI referred to the same issues on World Peace Day in 2010. It was in 1971, over 50 years ago, that Pope St. John XXIII wrote of the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels. And we have all studied Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si (Praise Be to You) where we are challenged as Catholics to have the ultimate respect for all of God’s creation, and especially the human race and the harmful experiences we’ve had and will continue to have with the burning of fossil fuels. If the Diocese of Shreveport discerned to be completely divested of fossil fuels by a certain year, what would it mean? First, it certainly includes examining every monetary investment in burses, mutual funds, endowments, and other growth vehicles and moving that money away from fossil fuel enterprises. At the same time, it would eventually mean an electric fleet of vehicles, solar panels on any diocesan building for power, maybe different materials for pavement of parking lots, roofing, furniture, and more. All the while, at least in
“My advice is to take out your journal, light a candle, sit in the quiet and open your heart, mind, and soul to God. Then go to papal documents and U. S. bishops’ documents and find out what they have written. Write down how all of this makes you feel, and ask God where these feelings are coming from. Are they coming from God, or from another place? Spend a month or two, or even six or seven praying with this.” the short term, it would probably damage economies and businesses – the incomes of Catholics around the diocese.Yet, if the common good includes the long-term spiritual, moral, physical, mental, and economic health of all peoples, divesting of fossil fuels might just be a good choice for our diocese. Here’s where the grappling, at least for me, comes in. Taking this issue to God and honestly opening our hearts and explaining - we see both sides. Which is the better choice? How do we know? How do we protect those who might lose income? How do we prepare our diocese for the future? How do we listen to the last four popes and not take care of the people around us while making sure we find alternative forms of renewable energy to fossil fuels? What is God’s will for us on this issue? How do we know, for sure? Maybe you have a pat answer for these questions. Maybe you could easily decide it is “yes”, we do something different or “no” we keep things the same. Maybe you feel you’re old enough to kick this can down the road because you won’t be here 25 to 30 years from now. Maybe it’s hard enough just making ends meet and living your life without thinking of these more complex issues. But there’s that pesky Catholic teaching given us by all those popes. My advice is to take out your journal, light a candle, sit in the quiet and open your heart, mind, and soul to God. Then go to papal documents and U. S. bishops’ documents and find out what they have written. Write down how all of this makes you feel and ask God where these feelings are coming from. Are they coming from God, or from another place? Spend a month or two, or even six or seven praying with this. Do what it takes to hear and know how God is calling you. And whatever his answer is, just make sure you lovingly respond. Like Jacob wrestling with God through the night, you might walk away physically different and with a new purpose. It worked out so good for him, we’re still talking about him thousands of years later. Why not give “grappling with the issues” a try? AUGUST 2022
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