An insistent monition. The Encyclical „Laudato si’” in the context of apocalyptic images

Abstract

Many examples show that scientific research about climate change uses apocalyptic images and categories both to analyze the problem and to indicate possible solutions. Far from criticizing this approach the article takes this fact as an opportunity to build a bridge between climate research and religion: Pope Francis also uses apocalyptic categories in his ecological encyclical Laudato si’ when he confronts Christian faith with the challenges of the ecological crisis.
The author of this article analyzes the encyclical in this perspective. Both in the papal setting of the problems and his perspective for solutions he is driven by the urgency and the magnitude of the global ecological devastation. It is not rational arguments from a distanced spectator’s perspective the Pope wants to contribute, but emotional concern and strong passion for sister earth crying and suffering. In difference to his predecessors Francis leaves the task of theological reflection to academic theology – in all freedom and responsibility. In a final part the article therefore indicates some main categories with the potential of deepening and continuation of Francis’ incentive.