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Environmental activism must also protect the unborn

Pregnant
Philip Kosloski - published on 09/01/21
It is praiseworthy to protect the environment, but the unborn and vulnerable should not be neglected in the process.

During the last several decades, the Church has emphasized the need to care for God's creation and do all that we can to preserve the natural world for future generations.

This type of environmental activis is most clearly seen in Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si'.

Yet, there still remains a disconnect in the modern world between protecting the environment and protecting human life.

For some environmental activists, humans are seen as a scourge to the earth, and various artificial means of contraception are strongly advocated to limit population.

Both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have spoken against such a disconnect, urging everyone to respect both the environment and human life in all its stages.

In his encyclical Caritas in veritate, Pope Benedict XVI made this very clear.

We need to have a holistic view when it comes to protecting the natural world, not picking sides, but protecting both nature and humans.

Pope Francis was even more explicit in Laudato si', speaking against abortion in his encyclical on the environment.

We are challenged to choose life in every way, being responsible stewards of the earth, but not at the expense of human life.

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