by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
“In today’s world, hunger, violence and poverty cannot be understood apart from the changes and degradation affecting the environment.” Pope Francis.
During this Justice, Peace and Community Week (October 20–27), let’s dare to truly care for one of God’s greatest gifts to us: Creation. Our theme of this year is linked to Pope Francis’ declaration on September 1, 2016 of Caring for our Common Home as the 8th Work of Mercy—to be added to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Be viewing CCSJ’s TV programme: Ask Why on Tuesday, October 23, 8–9 p.m. (Ch 10/TCN). Call in and share your views as our panel discusses this theme, in the context of ‘Nonviolence and the Environment’.
Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in his encyclical Charity in Truth: “The book of nature is one and indivisible; it includes not only the environment but also individual, family and social ethics…It is becoming more and more evident that the issue of environmental degradation challenges us to examine our lifestyle and the prevailing models of consumption and production, which are often unsustainable from a social, environmental and even economic point of view…Protecting the natural environment in order to build a world of peace is thus a duty incumbent upon each and all…Our earth speaks to us, and we must listen if we want to survive.”
There is no doubt that unless we embrace an integrated ecology, we shall perish. During this week, reread Pope Francis’ excellent encyclical: Laudato Si’ in which he makes it clear: “…everything is interconnected” (138). The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together; we cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we attend to causes related to human and social degradation (48).”
Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, reminds us that “Pope Francis is asking us to live Laudato Si; to internalize its teaching in our lives and in our world. Are we ready to respond to the Holy Father’s invitation—and challenge?” Are we ready to unite and ask for God’s grace to achieve ecological conversion? Transformation requires our constant efforts—it’s a lifelong commitment.
In Psalm 104:30, we make a special plea: “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” But while God has the power to ‘zap’ us all in shape and deal with the moral crisis of environmental degradation Himself, He has given us free will, and expects us to do what is right.
Care for our environment for future generations. Image source: buildchem.co.uk
We know that we can do nothing without His grace. So, let us pray that He will give us His grace and make us His instruments to build His Kingdom of justice, peace, truth, love and freedom here on earth.
It was St Pope John Paul II who said in 1990 that “there is an order in the universe which must be respected, and that the human person, endowed with the capability of choosing freely, has a grave responsibility to preserve this order for the well-being of future generations. . .. The ecological crisis is a moral issue.”
It is time that we recognise how selfishness, greed, moral relativism, and individualism are “feeding” this crisis. Reflect on how we should live our lives as Disciples of Christ. Are we good Stewards of God’s creation?
As stated in Genesis 1, God created everything—the heaven, the earth, the birds, the plants, the land, the ocean, and “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Gen 1:31). Sadly, across the world many seem determined to “mash up” His Creation. Everything we do has an impact on Creation. Just look around you.
Our Catechism tells us: “…Human beings’ dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of their neighbour, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation” (2415).
Read CCSJ’s document on the environment via the following link for some useful tips and resolve to play your part to promote human and environmental ecology: http://www.rcsocialjusticett.org/downloads/envpolicy_full.pdf
We are one human family and while we seek to address environmental issues that impact on us now, let us remember that we are NOT to hand over to future generations God’s creation depleted of its resources. The “common good” includes a concern for those who will come after us. It’s time to pray and act.
