Laudato Si’ An Irish Response
Sean McDonagh and the 10 contributors to the book Laudato Si’ An Irish Response were invited to visit the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin on Thursday, 18 January, 2018.
18-1-18 ..President Michael D. Higgins meeting with Fr. Sean McDonagh and Dr. Lorna Gold . Pic Maxwell’s
Dr. Lorna Gold, presented the book Laudato Si’: An Irish Response to the President at the meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin. In the book Laudato Si’: An Irish Response 11 Irish theologians, academics and environmentalists reflect on Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, the first papal encyclical devoted exclusively to the subject of the environment. For one hour they discussed many of the themes on justice, ecology and spirituality which feature prominently in the papal document Laudato Si’.
The President was thoroughly familiar with the encyclical and highlighted the place it should have in challenging the economic, social and ecological policies which are doing such damage both to planet earth and human well-being.
The President said he felt that every teacher in Ireland should be given a copy of the book Laudato Si’ An Irish Response.
Laudato Si’: An Irish Response is available from Veritas
Laudato Si’: An Irish Response
Essays on the Pope’s Letter on the Environment
Author(s): Sean McDonagh
ISBN13: 9781847307491
ISBN10: 1847307491
Publisher: Veritas
Extent: 200 pp
President Michael D. Higgins meeting with Fr. Sean McDonagh and Dr. Lorna Gold,
Ireland Strategic Investment Fund is to co-invest €140 million in 20 new solar parks. Solar parks – taking solar out of the hands of the people (where it justifiably belongs) so that it can be harnessed and lorded over the general population just like fossil fuels. This is to be avoided.
Cooperative scale is the most important thing. My parents have paid in excess of $100,000CAD over the course of their lifetimes for energy that kept them alive – a price they continue to pay. The need for this investment is no longer required due to today’s technological advances.
If cooperative scale doesn’t become the norm, a huge opportunity is lost. We have to shrink systems, not expand them. If no one stands up and demands this, then there will be a monopoly on wind and solar. It makes sense for 0.0001% of the population, just like fossil fuels do. If people are able to achieve autonomy on the creation of their own energy systems, food and shelter will then fall in line. How we do this is just as important as the urgency with which we proceed.
Can anybody shed light on the reported comments of Francis in Chile regarding Bishop Barros Madrid. It appears to have offended abuse survivors and if true would definitely cast a negative cloud over his papacy. Also from the point of view of his Irish visit it would make itself felt and not in a positive way.