Pope condemns arson attacks, says people must care for creation

Published: 2007-08-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God gave people the duty to take care of the earth, but they "often abuse creation and do not exercise" their responsibility to be stewards of nature, Pope Benedict XVI said. Citing the teaching of St. Gregory of Nyssa at his Aug. 29 weekly general audience, the pope condemned as criminal the suspected arson attacks that have hit parts of Europe. Highlighting his concern for the recent "serious calamities" of flooding in Asia and "disastrous fires in Greece, Italy and other European nations," the pope said it was impossible "to not be troubled by the irresponsible behavior of those who put people's safety at risk and destroy the environmental heritage -- a precious asset for all of humanity." "I join those who rightly stigmatize such acts (as) criminal and invite everyone to pray for the victims of these tragedies," he said. Greece was the hardest hit by wildfires that began Aug. 24 and killed at least 64 people. The government suspects many of the blazes were started by arsonists because the number of major forest fires in Greece more than doubled from last year. Pope Benedict returned to the Vatican from his papal summer villa at Castel Gandolfo for the audience.

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