Protect fishing from predatory practices, lethal economy, cardinal says

November 14, 2024 at 12:14 p.m.
A replica of Christ of the Abyss statue is pictured surrounded by fish in the Florida's Key Largo John Pennekamp State Park. The mold was made from the original statue off the Italian Riviera, where pioneer Italian diver Dario Gonzatti lost his life scuba diving in 1947. At the Italian site there now stands a bronze Christ, created by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti. (CNS photo/courtesy VISIT FLORIDA).
A replica of Christ of the Abyss statue is pictured surrounded by fish in the Florida's Key Largo John Pennekamp State Park. The mold was made from the original statue off the Italian Riviera, where pioneer Italian diver Dario Gonzatti lost his life scuba diving in 1947. At the Italian site there now stands a bronze Christ, created by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti. (CNS photo/courtesy VISIT FLORIDA). (Peter W Cross)

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY CNS – Predatory practices and technology for the benefit of the powerful few have disrupted the relationship between human labor and the natural environment, said Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

"A technological development can exist and be pursued that is capable of upholding the dignity and security of labor, and restoring a balance between individuals, work and the environment," he said in a message for World Fisheries Day, which is observed Nov. 21.

"Lawmakers, too, can stand back from the great interests of a few and intervene on behalf of small communities, family businesses and organizations of fishers who, given suitable assurances, are in a position to contribute more directly and effectively to the common good," he wrote.

The message, released by the Vatican Nov. 12, was dedicated to the verse from Genesis, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures" (1:20).

This creative command, however, "has been violated by intensive fishing, which is excluding those who for centuries have cared for the riches of seas, rivers and great lakes," the cardinal wrote.

"Age-old equilibria between human labor and the natural environment have been disrupted by predatory practices and the use of technology for the benefit of an increasingly influential and powerful minority, unconcerned for the medium- and long-term effects of this lethal economy," he wrote.

"The Church shares in the joys and hopes but also the sorrows and grief of a humanity called at this moment in history to rediscover fraternity as a social and political reality and the culture of encounter as an alternative to the globalization of indifference," he said in his message.

"Christians cannot look the other way when entire ecosystems are menaced by practices that prove devastating and impoverish even to the point of starvation peoples who already suffer from discrimination and conflict," he added.

"The Church would like fishers throughout the world to sense her accompaniment and support," Cardinal Czerny wrote, because "theirs is a vocation to care for the sea, which must be protected within the purview of an integral, widespread and people-oriented ecology."


The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.


Related Stories

VATICAN CITY CNS – Predatory practices and technology for the benefit of the powerful few have disrupted the relationship between human labor and the natural environment, said Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

"A technological development can exist and be pursued that is capable of upholding the dignity and security of labor, and restoring a balance between individuals, work and the environment," he said in a message for World Fisheries Day, which is observed Nov. 21.

"Lawmakers, too, can stand back from the great interests of a few and intervene on behalf of small communities, family businesses and organizations of fishers who, given suitable assurances, are in a position to contribute more directly and effectively to the common good," he wrote.

The message, released by the Vatican Nov. 12, was dedicated to the verse from Genesis, "Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures" (1:20).

This creative command, however, "has been violated by intensive fishing, which is excluding those who for centuries have cared for the riches of seas, rivers and great lakes," the cardinal wrote.

"Age-old equilibria between human labor and the natural environment have been disrupted by predatory practices and the use of technology for the benefit of an increasingly influential and powerful minority, unconcerned for the medium- and long-term effects of this lethal economy," he wrote.

"The Church shares in the joys and hopes but also the sorrows and grief of a humanity called at this moment in history to rediscover fraternity as a social and political reality and the culture of encounter as an alternative to the globalization of indifference," he said in his message.

"Christians cannot look the other way when entire ecosystems are menaced by practices that prove devastating and impoverish even to the point of starvation peoples who already suffer from discrimination and conflict," he added.

"The Church would like fishers throughout the world to sense her accompaniment and support," Cardinal Czerny wrote, because "theirs is a vocation to care for the sea, which must be protected within the purview of an integral, widespread and people-oriented ecology."


The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Fr. Brian McCormick Way honors priest and his mission of service
The City of Trenton has a new street name ...

El Papa dice que canonizará a Carlo Acutis y Pier Giorgio Frassati y organizará un encuentro sobre los derechos del niño
El Papa Francisco anunció que canonizará a los beatos ....

New saints for young people to imitate
Our Holy Father Pope Francis has given the youth and young adults...

Pope says he'll canonize Acutis, Frassati, host meeting on child's rights
Pope Francis announced that he will canonize Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati...

Third annual Standing Together for Life event to include new expo
For its third annual celebration since the June 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, the Diocese ...


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2024 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.