Vatican Radio has said that a transcript of the Holy Father's encounter with the diocesan clergy of Bolzano-Bressanone will be published in tomorrow's issue (8/8/08) of L'Osservatore Romano. The online edition is usually posted around midnight Rome time, a few hours from now. Here is the only report I have seen so far from the regular wire services.
Pope says Catholic Church
has undervalued environment
ROME, August 7 (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI has told a meeting of priests that protection of the environment had been undervalued by the Catholic Church in the past, but said materialism was the biggest threat to the planet.
There have been times when man has ignored "God's teaching on creation," Pope Benedict said in response to a question on the environment yesterday.
But he rejected criticism that Christianity had encouraged the squandering of resources under the pretext of following the commandment to rule over the Earth.
The wastefulness was due to a "materialistic world" where "God is denied," Pope Benedict said.
"God entrusted man with the responsibility of creation" and "creation and redemption are closely bound together," he said.
Pope Benedict's comments came at a closed meeting of 400 priests from the north of Italy where he is spending his holiday. Reporters were briefed by the Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi.
Lombardi said Pope Benedict cited St Francis of Assisi as an example in urging Catholics to adopt "a way of life that is respectful of the environment."
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 07/08/2008 21:26]