Troska o środowisko naturalne – troska o człowieka

Abstract

One of the essential issues that Benedict XVI’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate deals with is ecology. While continuing the teachings of his predecessors, the pope calls for a proper understanding of the ecology of man since all the crises affecting the modern world are interrelated. The present economic crisis is connected with the ecological crisis, which in turn is linked to the political one, and all point to the crisis the human being is now experiencing. Therefore, a need arises first and foremost for the spiritual revival of man so as to re-establish a harmonious relationship between man and the natural environment. While discussing Benedict XVI’s teachings, the article presents those in the broad context of contemporary eco-philosophy represented by Henryk Skolimowski, who accuses Christianity of being anti-ecological. However, a careful evaluation of several of the predominant environmental groups reveals just the opposite: it is not Christianity that is anti-ecological, but some of the ecological movements demonstrate their anti-Christian nature and even take a step towards anti-human ecology.