ZENIT - Pope to Parents: Take the Kids Outdoors

ZENIT - Pope to Parents: Take the Kids Outdoors:
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The Pope that has become known as the Green Pope has come out with another statement that almost makes me want him to be beatified.

He has told people to 'revivify your spirits by contemplating the splendors of Creation'. And he said to parents, 'teach your children to see nature, respect and protect it as a magnificent gift that presents to us the grandeur of the Creator!'

It is fantastic to see that Pope Benedict XVI recognises the spiritual value of nature. Not only does he urge people to respect and protect it, but he encourages people to spend time in it and to make sure their children do too.

Some might say that telling people to get outdoors isn't really part of the Pope's job description and he should stick with telling people to pray or go to church. However, the fact that the leader of the Catholic Church speaks about the environment so often shows that he at least thinks it is an important Catholic (and Christian) issue. To him, it's not speaking about matters that have nothing to do with Catholicism. It's speaking about matters that have everything to do with Catholicism - whether people see that or not.

When such an important Christian leader and theologian devotes so much time to speaking about the environment, shouldn't we at least consider whether it's an issue that all Christians should care about? And whether we follow the Pope or not, when he tells Catholics to go outdoors and appreciate nature, maybe we should think about following his advice too.



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