"Progress" Wins in the Catholic Church?

With the numerous problems facing the church, family, etc. it seems interesting that the head of the Catholic church seems to be suggesting the priority for Catholics should be to combat global warming.

I'm afraid, at that point, it's already a lost argument.

The Pope, through essentially giving a spiritual veneer to the mainstream opinion, has nothing necessarily good to offer. If he did - it would have been the centerpiece, not a few lines here or there. Everyone is already on-board as far as the media and mainstream society is concerned. His released would be primarily a unique take or emphasis, to reorient things towards the Spirit...

Instead we have the same old "well, science seems to prove..." and so now, because science has "prove it" it's a moral imperative. Yet, the main argument for global warming combatants is population control and reduction - which directly flies in the face of the Pro-Life position. That means, in an argument against life and death as priorities in the Catholic church, the pro-death position has apparently taken the drivers seat.

That may seem a little extreme, but as far as I can tell the Pope's argument is thoroughly socialist and materialistic. God, in this current, appears optional. It almost appears a pathetic "me too, the church isn't just an old fuddy-duddy, but we are up with the times - just look at Vatican II and now this!"

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Hearing this from the pulpit today, what does the Catholic think in a 20 minute sermon from the Priest or Deacon: "Hey guys, the Pope thinks it's a priority to combat global warming and be eco-friendly." What more? Is there a unique Catholic perspective on this that doesn't mean more tax subsidies, more solar panels, etc.? If so, why wasn't that the essential point or broadcast?

(That is what I heard today anyway, at a very conservative, Traditional Latin Mass church)

No, the most an obedient Catholic, and the general gist, is going along with already established opinion - to think is something like: "Oh, I guess the TV was right! I better go out and buy a Prius, turn off the lights, and install a windmill. And, oh, by the way, the central power structure needs more power to enforce this globally! Also, anything else science overwhelming proves is also probably true."

Has the Church essentially acquiesced to its position as a primarily state institution, like the Church of England, etc.?