Program discusses Pope’s encyclical

To the editor:

In Pope Francis' encyclical on climate change, he denounced the idolatry of consumerism in our 'throwaway culture,” and he warned that the reckless exploitation and destruction of the environment will have severe consequences for all people unless bold and unified global action is taken.

The encyclical has been controversial, especially among conservative Catholics, some of whom have argued that the Pope should not be speaking out on political and economic issues, which they regard as 'unrelated to faith and morals.”

The monthly Intersections luncheons in Cedar Rapids are devoted to fostering civility in our public discourse and illuminating the religious and moral dimensions of critical issues.

During the Oct. 2 program, Bill Mulcahey, retired from Mount Mercy University after serving as director of campus ministry, will speak about the Pope's encyclical in the light of Catholic theology and social thought, including this Pope's previous work.

Intersections, a civility project of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, begins at 11:45 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 310 Fifth St SE, Cedar Rapids. Payable at the door, the $10 fee includes lunch. For reservations, contact crintersections@interfaithallianceiowa.org or (319) 364-6148.

Allen Fisher

Cedar Rapids