WHY VIEW the ENVIRONMENT as a MORAL ISSUE?

CARE for GOD'S CREATION is one of the seven tenets of Catholic social teaching.
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of Creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored (US Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1999)

JUSTICE in a Biblical sense means the restoration and maintenance of the proper balanced relationship between man, God and Creation. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE is basic to the pursuit of the COMMON GOOD. The political, economic, cultural, as well as, the moral common good cannot be attained without proper consideration of the created world. Man's ability to transform the world requires diligent attention to our universal responsibility as stewards of the earth and its inhabitants.

Catholic social doctrine reminds us that the goods of the earth were created by God to be used wisely by all. The environment cannot be reduced to a mere object to be manipulated and exploited. GRATITUDE and APPRECIATION must characterize the actions of man's relationship to creation. (Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 2005) The tendency toward an "ill-considered" exploitation of the earth is the result of a long historical and cultural process. (Paul VI, 1971) "Serious ecological problems call for an effective change of mentality leading to the adoption of new lifestyles... inspired by sobriety, temperance, and self-discipline at both the individual and social levels. " Additionally, "There is a need to break the logic of mere consumption and promote forms of agricultural and industrial production that respect the order of creation and satisfy the basic human needs of all." (John Paul II, 1986, 1991)

GRAND VALLEY PEACE and JUSTICE has ongoing projects concerning environmental justice. For more information contact Karen Sjoberg, Grand Valley Peace and Justice, at 243-0209 or gvpeace@acsol.net.

contact Grand Valley Peace and Justice

last updated April 11, 2006

webmaster:Kathy Pike