The Protection of the Created World is a Personal Matter

Mr Hölvényi considered the timing of the encyclical’s release as very appropriate. At the end of this year the international community may take its last chance at the Paris summit to stop global climate change, already having a devastating impact on our everyday lives. Pope Francis poses concrete messages to this year's UN conferences on development and climate change, focusing on personal responsibility in protecting the globe. The new approach emphasizes the new interpretation of the Catholic Church, where humans play a part and are active in the shaping of creation.
 
Another new element is that this very first "green encyclical" provides personal guidelines to those in politics and business for taking actions. Going beyond theoretical approaches it covers concrete issues such as water, biodiversity and climate change.   
 
In recent times, the issue of environmental protection has been increasingly represented by the religious communities and related civil organisations of Hungary, Mr. Hölvényi reminded. There are more and more good practices and initiatives drawing attention to environmental protection by sustainable planning and implementation of communites’ investments and projects.
 
According to MEP Hölvényi, Pope Francis has been successful in engaging believers to become active shapers of global processes on environmental protection. The Encyclical Laudato si' has become a major reference point on the international agenda on climate change. György Hölvényi highlighted having put forward an amendment together with fellow EPP members for referring to the Holy Father's teaching in the European Parliament's resolution on the upcoming climate change conference in Paris.