The author said people talk as if population growth in some parts of the world or some individual countries is so exaggerated that it's like an "abnormal growth" on part of a diseased body or a form of gigantism.
"The problem is not demographic gigantism and never was, not even way back in 1968 when the bestseller, 'The Population Bomb,' disturbed the consciences of millions by predicting planetary catastrophe," he wrote in L'Osservatore Nov. 2.
"Perhaps the point isn't to stop growth, but how to continue to grow," specifically by "emphasizing development that does not privilege only a few, but all," he said.
The author said that in discussions about excessive population growth, "the experts always and only indicate two places: sub-Saharan Africa and Asia," particularly China and India.
But if one looks at population density -- the number of people per square mile -- Germany faces more of a population problem than China does. And India population density is "basically analogous to that of Japan," he said.
Some people have been promoting the idea of a sustainable negative growth campaign focused on convincing people in the West to reduce their consumption of food and natural resources while simultaneously convincing people in the developing world to reduce their population growth rates, he said.
"The underlying assumption is that the West," in the area of population growth, "has already done its part," Martini Grimaldi wrote.
Birth of 7 billionth baby is challenge to help all, newspaper says
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The challenge posed to the world by the birth of its 7 billionth inhabitant isn't how to stop population growth, but to find ways to ensure the continued growth can benefit all humanity, said an article in the Vatican newspaper.
According to the United Nations, the world's population hit -- and quickly exceeded -- 7 billion Oct. 31.
At a time when people are talking again about overpopulation, "it's worth asking which overpopulation we're talking about," said Cristian Martini Grimaldi, writing on the front page of L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.
Please support The Catholic Register
Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.
For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.
DONATE