©2010 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-242-1918

Winter A • 2010-2011

Scriptural FoundationThe Catholic Church’s commission to care for the earth is rooted in the book of Genesis where God creates the world and finds favor with it:

“God looked at everything he had made and found it very good” (Genesis 1:31).

The first humans were also appointed as stewards of creation by the divine Maker:

“The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it” (Genesis 2:15).

The creation-centered faith of God’s people is reflected in the words of the psalmist who views the world as a metaphor for humanity’s relationship with God:

“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1);

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people” (Psalm 125:2).

Jesus also used creation imagery to teach the disciples about faith and discipleship:

“Consider the lilies, how they grow” (Luke 12:27);

“I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5).

Catholic Spirituality and TeachingChristian mystics, such as Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, and Julian of Norwich, did not equate the divine with nature, but they recognized the presence and action of God in creation. The world for them was a sacrament of God, as Meister Eckhart wrote:

“Every creature is a word of God and is a book about God.”

Such poetic writings formed the foundation for a vibrant school of thought known as Creation Theology, a spiritu-ality that both informs and inspires the Church’s mission as steward of the environment.

Catholic teaching has been vocal in linking the environ-mental crisis to the plight of the poor and the prospects

of future generations. For the World Day of Peace in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI chose the theme: “If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation.” He went on to say:

“Environmental pollution is making particularly unsustainable the lives of the poor of the world. We must pledge ourselves to take care of creation and to share its resources in solidarity.”

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has strived to translate creation spirituality into pastoral action. In 1993, the bishops formed an initiative they called the “Environmental Justice Program: Caring for God’s Creation.”

The environment link on the USCCB Website (www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/environment.shtml) offers a wealth of resources supporting environmental education, civic responsibility, and legislative advocacy. It includes major statements on the environment intended “to promote a vision of a just and sustainable world community.”

Catholic Institutions Sound the CallCatholic institutions have exhibited a renewed sense of environmental responsibility to help create a just and sustainable future. Catholic Charities has a link about climate change on their Website that calls caring for the earth “a requirement of our faith” and lists practical ways to “Go Green” in order to reduce poverty (www.catholic-charitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1724).

Catholic Relief Services is working around the world to promote food security, water conservation, and responsible agriculture. Catholic hospitals have won awards for their efforts to shape policies and procedures in accord with environmental protection.

Care for Creation is listed under the concerns of the Office of Peace and Justice in Chicago. In Florida, dioceses have encouraged community efforts to conserve limited water supplies. Numerous local churches sponsor initiatives through parish committees.

Meanwhile, religious orders have also been leading the way. The Franciscans have brought environmental issues before the United Nations. The Sisters of Loretto have developed a “Loretto Land Ethic” and have built a retreat cabin on their Motherhouse property entirely out of

The Catholic Church as Steward of Creation

SR-00-WA-10-C-The CATholiC ChuRCh AS STeWARd of CReATion

©2010 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-242-1918

Winter A • 2010-2011

natural materials recycled from the land (www.lorettocom-munity.org/justice.html).

Catholic education has been a major force in sowing seeds of consciousness raising and community action. Both science and theology curriculums address environ-mental issues while liturgical celebrations incorporate ecological symbols and themes. Practical initiatives include placing recycling bins in classrooms, copy rooms, and cafeterias. Student councils and clubs often take the lead in providing peer education and spearheading involvement.

A Cooperative MissionIn her mission of stewardship, the Church works in concert with the many great local and international organizations that strive to create a sustainable world for all and to preserve with reverence the sacramental beauty of God’s creation. It is the vision of the Church that the spirit of God calls, enlightens, and empowers us to do this vital work. It was in the natural forces of wind and fire that the presence of the Spirit was first manifested on Pentecost Sunday. The Church commits herself to prayerful environmental action so that the Spirit might come again with power:

“When you send forth your spirit they are created; and you renew the face of the earth” (Psalm 104:30).

The Catholic Church as Steward of Creation

2

“Today the great gift of God’s Creation is exposed to serious dangers

and lifestyles which can degrade it. Environmental pollution is making

particularly unsustainable the lives of the poor of the world…

we must pledge ourselves to take care of creation

and to share its resources in solidarity.”

— Pope Benedict XVI