When they close the doors of Sistine Chapel on Wednesday morning I pray the Holy Spirit will inspire every cardinal, reminding them of the cry of the earth, which Pope Francis put centre stage over the last 12 years. I loved it when in the first days of his papacy, Francis defined himself as a sinner, like every one of us. Mercy, forgiveness and humility seemed to be the operating principles of the “field hospital” church he wanted to create.
In time, though, it is his teaching that will stand out, especially his encyclical Laudato si’, connecting care for Mother Earth with concern for the poor, and his exhortation in Laudato Deum for political leaders to stop ignoring the ongoing destruction of our natural world.
The next pope will be important in this because this ecological crisis is about to move into a new phase. We will need spiritual leaders who can help us cope with the crisis of confidence that will come with the growing realisation that we are breaching safe atmospheric limits and the 1.5 degree goal committed to in the Paris Agreement 10 years ago. We need to rouse ourselves from what Tony Blair described last week as the current “era of apathy” around the climate issue. No amount of techno-optimism or books with smart econometrics or energy analysis are going to stir us into action.
Instead, we can be inspired by a mission centred around taking responsibility to help protect the next generation and having a stronger sense of belonging to our own local environment, within this dramatically changing world.
The Pullman review: Is this restaurant on a train carriage travelling towards a Michelin star?
The Surfer review: Nicolas Cage, after too many wipeouts, catches a great wave
Look inside: Graham Norton selling his homes in London and New York
Kevin Hart at 3Arena review: Our phones are sealed in pouches before the show starts. It has a surprising effect
Laudato si’ was of historic significance because it bridged a gap that had grown between science and religion over centuries. The theory of evolution has now itself evolved. Martin Luther King said the long arc of the moral universe bends towards justice, but it seems that in the physical universe, living systems also tend to adapt towards ever more complexity, interconnection and love.
We will not make the necessary climate leap if it is based on division, whether between rite and reason, the political left and right, rural and urban or young and old. I expect the cardinals will pick someone who will follow the climate leadership of Francis. Almost half the electors are from developing countries, where the destruction of nature and the injustices within the current energy and economic system are so patently clear.
There is one other division I hope the next pope can heal. That is the differentiation of roles between men and women in the Catholic Church. In the Irish church’s response to the synodal process established by Francis, this was the number one issue, with near unanimous agreement on the need for change.
The submissions from every continent told a similar story but so far no real action has been taken. That has to change, and it surely will because the church itself is about to go through a radical transition. I recall Fr Kennedy O’Brien SJ, one of the last Jesuits teaching in Ireland, saying that the proponents of Vatican II are about to see their aspirations fulfilled, because the laicisation of the church is coming, whether people like it or not.
In 10 years time, there will not be the clergy to maintain the old order and the pews will become empty unless a new generation finds the church a relevant place to be within. Part of that relevance will surely develop as people come together to pray for the care of creation, and consider what that means for their parish. That should happen as part of a wider ecumenical movement – this issue rightly belongs to people of every faith, creed and conviction.
[ Climate anxiety is like parenthood: you get used to living with constant worryOpens in new window ]
In the synodal process, it was noteworthy that the issue of protecting the environment did not feature, unless it was brought up by the likes of Trócaire or the local Laudato si’ group. I don’t think that reflects an intrinsic lack of interest, but rather that many people feel overwhelmed by what they are being told and have a certain sense of helplessness from not knowing what to do.
[ Who will be the next pope after Francis and how does the process work?Opens in new window ]
The tide of environmental thinking seems to have never been lower. It feels like what happens before a tsunami arrives, when the shoreline drops dramatically in advance of the bigger incoming wave. We have seen such waves of collective climate consciousness over the last 30 years and we need to start thinking about how the next wave can lead to real effective change. If collective consciousness is what matters, then the churches should surely have a key role to play. We need the spirit as well as science on our side. As Francis wrote, the two can come together in care for our common home.
