(Translation from Polish by Konrad Dybek)

Politicians and bureaucrats in Poland are dashing to manifest admiration of John Paul II. Pictures from a papal audience or a mass often appear during election campaign to give a candidate more credibility. However, do these declarations of remembering and reverence for John Paul II’s teachings are really followed in practice? It is not always so certain. Let us remind what deceased Pope (himself amateur of kayaking and mountain hiking) preached about conservation. It is especially more important having in mind current Rospuda River Valley controversy. Review of this particular lesson is recommended for those who are given responsibility for this country (Poland) and its development – an appeal expressed almost 8 years ago in Zamosc, South-East Poland.

Excerpt of John Paul II’s homily given in Zamosc (Poland) on 12.6.1999

(...) When I wander around Polish land, from Baltic Sea, through Wielkopolska, Mazovia, Mazury, eastern provinces of Bialystok and down to Zamosc, I contemplate beauty of this homeland. I realize the unique dimension of Son of God salvation mission. Here with exceptional strength azure sky seems to speak, so does greenery of meadows and fields or lakes and river’s silver. Here bird’s song sounds somehow familiar, in Polish. It all witnesses Creator’s love, its Ghost’s revivifying power of redemption which Son fulfilled for a human and for the world. All these beings talk about their holiness and dignity, that they recovered when ‘First-born of all creation’ undertook body from Virgin Mary.

If I am talking today about this holiness and dignity, I do so in the spirit of thanksgiving to God who performed this many wonders for us, and at the same time in the spirit of care for saving goodness and beauty which Creator gifted upon this world. There is a danger that what so delights eyes and soul alike may undergo destruction. I know Polish bishops expressed such concern nine years ago already, when addressing all people of good will in pastoral letter regarding conservation of natural environment. They were right saying ‘(…) all activities of a human being as a responsible person have moral significance. Degradation of nature threatens goodness of creation which God presented people as crucial to their survival and development. There is an imperative to use this gift appropriately in spirit of gratitude and respect (…). On the other hand awareness that this gift is for all the people, constituting common wellbeing, brings about right obligations towards another man. Therefore one has to admit that all actions which do not consider God’s right to its magnum opus or a right of a man graced by Creator are against commandment of love (…). One has to realize the existence of the heavy sin on natural environment bearing on our conscience and causing serious responsibility before Almighty Creator (2.5.1989).’

If we talk about responsibility before God we are aware it is not only regarding the thing called ecology in present language. It is not sufficient to put the blame on excessive industrialization, indiscriminate use of scientific and technological measures industries or agriculture or in pursuit of wealth without taking into account the future consequences of actions. Although one cannot deny such actions cause huge harm it is easy to perceive that its source lies deeper, in attitude of a human. It seems that what endangers whole creation and men alike is lack of respect for laws of nature and diminishing value of life.

Beauty of the land compels me to call for its conservation for future generations. If you love this land do not let my call be left unanswered! I address especially those who share responsibility for this country and its progress so they do not forget about duty to protect it against ecological destruction. Let them create programmes of environmental conservation and make sure they are implemented successfully! Let them above everything shape manners of respect for common welfare, laws of nature and life itself! Organizations who aim to save natural resources should support them as well! In families as well as at schools there ought to be education of reverence for life, for goodness and for beauty. All people of good will shall cooperate to achieve this master work. Each of Christ disciples should verify his or her lifestyle so proper pursuit of prosperity does not deafen voice of conscience which balances what is right and truly good.

(In Polish [zobacz >>>])