There was a lot of anticipation regarding Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, and now comes the commentary from reporters, writers, and the general public. This online article caught my eye because of the title “Pope Francis: Technology + greed = disaster.” Here are snippets of Thomas Reese’s article from the National Catholic Reporter.
The Pope “has very critical things to say about technology, especially when it is connected to greed. . . But Francis begins his examination of technology by acknowledging in chapter 3 of his encyclical that we are the beneficiaries of two centuries of technological advances. ‘Technology has remedied countless evils that used to harm and limit human beings,’ he writes. But he notes that the power that comes from technology can be used by those with knowledge and economic resources to dominate humanity and the entire world. . . Quoting Romano Guardini, he notes that there is a tendency to believe that every increase in power means ‘an increase of progress itself’ but in reality ‘contemporary man has not been trained to use power well.’ Sadly, Pope Francis argues, ‘our immense technological development has not been accompanied by a development in human responsibility, values and conscience.’ ”
To read the entire online article, click here.
The writer ends his article with, “On the other hand, he believes that technology can and should be used to improve the lot of humanity and that business people are called to a noble vocation that is in service to the common good.”
We have a copy of Laudato Si in our library in the office. The library is open after all Masses on weekends and on weekdays when the parish office is open.