A member of an Anglican parish sent thus it me, and I felt I had to address the issue of this pandemic and climate change. While the effects of climate change are enormous upon mankind, it is unfortunate to see faith used as a means to promote social injustices causes or climate change. As a physician I see how politics interferes with medicine, but to answer these philosophical questions is in such terms is not evasive, but dishonest.

I suggest that turning to biblical plague mythology as the first place to look is not helpful. What is required is a reflection on biblical sources in tandem with inter-disciplinary dialogue with other specialties. We are not bereft of examples on how to proceed. One excellent framework is the exhaustive papal encyclical Laudato Si issued by Pope Francis. Laudato Si has a balanced anthropology. It recognizes that we are made of the dust of the earth (#2). It also states ” The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home.” (#13). Chapter Four of Laudato Si addresses an Integral Ecology. We have to relate the arrival of various diseases ( of which Covid is one) to the overarching challenges of encroachment upon nature and climate change. This moves the pertinent issues into the realm of theological ethics , demanding our response as individual and collective moral actors.

As for tapping into ancient prayer forms like the Great Litany, I may do so; but I must do as a person living in an age of scientific insight . If one prays for deliverance from, for example, “plague, pestilence, and famine” one must be clearly cognizant, as one prays, of the politcal vectors and human social failings that result in these crises–especially the contributions of vested economic interests.