ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
QUOTATIONS FROM THE VATICAN & USCCB
Respect for life and for the dignity of the human person extends also to the rest of creation, which is called to join man in praising God. (Pope John Paul II, 1990 World Day of Peace Message, no. 16)
Christians, in particular, realize that their responsibility within creation and their duty towards nature and the Creator are an essential part of their faith. (Pope John Paul II 1990 World Day of Peace Message, no. 15)
We cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without paying due attention to both the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the well-being of future generations. (Pope John Paul II, 1990 World Day of Peace Message, no. 6)
The most profound and serious indication of the moral implications underlying the ecological problem is the lack of respect for life evident in many of the patterns of environmental pollution. (Pope John Paul II, 1990 World Day of Peace Message, no. 7)
It is manifestly unjust that a privileged few should continue to accumulate excess goods, squandering available resources, while masses of people are living in conditions of misery at the very lowest level of subsistence. (Pope John Paul II, 1990 World Day of Peace Message, no. 8)
The aesthetic value of creation cannot be overlooked. Our very contact with nature has a deep restorative power; contemplation of its magnificence imparts peace and serenity. The Bible speaks again and again of the goodness and beauty of creation, which is called to glorify God. (Pope John Paul II, 1990 World Day of Peace Message, no. 14)
We face a fundamental question which can be described as both ethical and ecological. How can accelerated development be prevented from turning against man? How can one prevent disasters that destroy the environment and threaten all forms of life, and how can the negative consequences that have already occurred be remedied? (Pope John Paul II, “International Solidarity Needed to Safeguard Environment,” address by the Holy Father to the European Bureau for the Environment, L’Osservatore Romano, June 1996)
Environmental degradation makes the life of the poor intolerable. In dialogue with Christians of different denominations, we need to commit ourselves to caring for creation, without squandering its resources, but instead sharing in them in a collaborative way. (Pope Benedict XVI, remarks after Angelus address, August 27, 2006)
The liturgy itself teaches us this, when, during the presentation of the gifts, the priest raises to God a prayer of blessing and petition over the bread and wine, “fruit of the earth,” “fruit of the vine” and “work of human hands.” With these words, the rite not only includes in our offering to God all human efforts and activity, but also leads us to see the world as God’s creation, which brings forth everything we need for our sustenance. The world is not something indifferent, raw material to be utilized simply as we see fit. Rather, it is part of God’s good plan, in which all of us are called to be sons and daughters in the one Son of God, Jesus Christ (cf. Eph 1:4-12). The justified concern about threats to the environment present in so many parts of the world is reinforced by Christian hope, which commits us to working responsibly for the protection of creation. (Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis [The Sacrament of Charity], no. 92) The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole. (Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate [Charity in Truth], 2009, no. 48)
To be continued next week.....
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First reading talks about an unhappy universal truth that everyone must leave behind the fruits of one’s toils for the one comes after us. It is absurd to think that what I possess is going to give me lasting happiness. The thought that I leave everything behind in death is depressing; I spend my nights restless and worried. The rich man in the gospel convinces himself that he is going to enjoy the good things he stored up for many years to come. Jesus says such thought is foolish, because his life could end that very day. Greed is celebrated in our cultures and many are anxious about building bigger barns to store up possessions! Paul says greed is idol worship, a disconnect from the source of all riches-God. The wise will think of getting rich in what matters to God.
The readings invite us to recognize our illusions and obsessions. What is the meaning of sorrow, grief and burdens of daily life? What is behind experience of vanity? The message of the readings is not about having riches but our attitude toward riches. We are called to multiply our talents and do everything well within the time given to us. The question is, do things we possess serve others and help us to obey the commandment, ‘love your neighbor as yourself’, especially the weakest in society? In the gospel story of the rich man, there is nobody else in it; he is a self-absorbed man. He built a paradise for himself and God is a stranger in the heavens greed builds. Everything is vanity without God! Greed, selfishness, unhealthy anxiety and hardness of heart are all vanity but those who think of love and service walk with Christ to build better selves, better church and society.
Fr. Timothy Radcliffe shares a story: ‘Dominican sister Pauline Quinn was born into a wealthy non-christian family in Hollywood. She suffered terrible sexual abuse. She was sent to many institutions where she was repeatedly abused. She began to cut her body. Her arms were covered with scars. She became homeless, living in the streets for many years. And then she met a catholic sister and also a dog, a german shepherd called Joni. They gave her safety and affection for the first time. She was received into the church and became a Dominican sister. Her life became fully fruitful. She worked with victims of war, helping them to have prosthetic limbs, finding them jobs; she worked with prisoners and trained dogs to help the disabled. Grace triumphed over ugliness of sin’. Her life was a pilgrimage from vanity to beauty of redeeming grace. A life seemed empty became rich with God. She died of cancer two years ago.
The Eucharist we celebrate challenges the world of greed and abuse. It is breaking of bread and breaking of our hardness of heart to care, share and heal. Eucharist crushes the hopelessness people feel, because we join Christ to build the kingdom of God with hope. We are given gifts to excel through just means. Gifts of the earth are blessings, good to be enjoyed but care, thought must be about loving and sharing. Everything is passing, so look at life and gifts with gratitude and humility. Pray well, celebrate relationships, family, friends; cloth yourself with love, forgiveness and with all that bring peace and grace to your heart. Be rich in what matters to God!
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