The general prayer intention of the Church around the world for November is that all men and women, especially those who have responsibilities in the field of politics and economics, may never fail in their commitment to safeguard creation.
The background for this reflection is the letter to the Ecumenical patriarch, Bartholomew the First, for the 7^th symposium of Religion, Science and the environment. This was held in 2007 in the Arctic region, and so the symposium focused on the Ocean and ice near the North Pole, suffering from the effects of climate change.
In his message Pope Benedict noted that the preservation of the environment, the promotion of sustainable development with attention to climate change, are matters of serious concern for the entire human family.
No nation or business sector, he said can ignore the ethical implications present in all economic and social development. With increasing clarity, scientific research demonstrates that the impact of human actions in any one place or region can have a worldwide effect.
The consequences of disregard for the environment cannot be limited to an immediate area or population because they always harm human coexistence. Thus they betray human dignity and violate the rights of citizens who desire to live in a safe environment.
Mutual interdependence between the economic and social activities of a nation, demand international solidarity and on going educational efforts. It is these principles, Pope Benedict said, which the Religion, Science and Environment movement courageously upholds.