The Vatican Goes Green

In the late 13th century, the Roman Catholic Church came up with the idea of “indulgences”. The belief was that since clergy were doing more good works then they needed to, they had more good works in their spiritual accounts than they had sins to pay for. So they decided to sell these good works. Individual bishops could sell indulgences which paid off any punishment due that an individual believer had accumulated in the previous year. In some cases, individuals actually bought the indulgence in advance of their planned sin. The indulgence was written on a piece of paper, like money or a check, and certified that the holder has his punishment “paid off” and had acquired “good works” to offset his sin.

The Vatican has decided to plant a forest in Europe that will “offset all of its carbon dioxide emissions for a year, thereby becoming the first carbon neutral sovereign state in the world.

So the church is making amends for its CO2 emissions. The church should do this well, in light of its past selling of indulgences and its promotion of penance and good works for salvation.

Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Catholic “Council of Culture” said “The Book of Genesis tells us of a beginning in which God placed man as guardian over the earth to make it fruitful," the cardinal added. "When man forgets that he is a faithful servant of this earth, it becomes a desert that threatens the survival of all creation."

I find the reference to Genesis and the Garden of Eden as hypocritical, since the Vatican’s position on creation leans more toward theistic evolution than the literal creation of Genesis.

Considering the vast wealth of the Vatican, Al Gore should consider joining forces with them. Can’t have too many priests in either camp.