Ecological Stewardship
Bishop Julian Porteous
I was asked by the Australian Bishops’ Conference in 2009 to assume responsibility for Catholic Earthcare. The appointment opened up the opportunity to explore an aspect of Catholic teaching and insight that was new and challenging.
Issues concerning the environment are constantly in the newspapers. The question of preserving and protecting both the natural and the human habitat is a critical one in our times and a responsibility upon us for the wellbeing of future generations.
As this is my first contribution to the newsletter I would like to offer some overview of our involvement in environmental matters from a Catholic perspective.
As Catholics our reflection on issues of ecological responsibility is firstly inspired by our Christian vision of human life. We look to the Scriptural teaching, particularly that which presents the explanation of the existence of the universe and the nature of human life, as the foundation to our approach to ecological matters.
The world is a place of beauty and harmony. It is good. Creation reflects the wisdom and love of God (see Gen 1:1-25).
At the centre and the high point of creation is the human being. Each person has qualities that raise us to a dignity above the rest of creation. We have an immortal soul, which is the basis for self-awareness and freedom, and is the ground for our inalienable dignity. We have indeed been made image and likeness of God. In the midst of all of created reality in its macro and micro realisation, human beings are “masters” but at the same time “stewards” (see Gen 1:26-31; 2:7).
The Scriptures reveal another important dimension to the relationship between human beings and creation. The Book of Genesis recounts the fact that man and woman sinned by disobeying God and in effect rejected his providential design for human life. One of the effects of this first or Original Sin was the breakdown of the original harmony of creation.
Human beings have to struggle with creation – with storm and drought, with earthquake and plague. But increasingly with technological development human beings have a capacity to “subdue” the earth in a way that can be of great advantage for human life but can also be the cause lasting damage to the earth. Increasingly we have come to realise that we can severely affect the capacity of nature to regenerate itself and be able to provide for future generations.
We are witnessing the growth of an ecological awareness across the world. It has also emerged among Catholics. With this greater awareness of the need to protect the environment has come the development of many practical programs and initiatives undertaken by members of the Church. This is good. We understand that the earth is a gift to us from God and available for our use, and we have come to a greater realisation of the need to develop a sense of responsibility for its fruitfulness for coming generations. We appreciate the importance of the relationship between human beings and the natural environment, which is not ours but rather God's creation. We see ourselves as being entrusted to guard and protect it.
At the heart of our approach to the environment is a respect for human life and the dignity of every human person. The earth and its resources are for good of humanity. All ecological decisions need to retain an orientation towards to the good of peoples, both living now and in future times.
As Christians we identify an objective moral order within which to articulate a code of environmental ethics. Such a code declares that the question of the environment is not just an economic or technological question but it is a moral and spiritual question. Such an ethic, inspired by Christian faith, fosters the principles of human solidarity, social justice, and responsibility.
In the light of this awareness of the moral and spiritual responsibility towards the wellbeing of creation we Catholics commit ourselves to developing an attitude of ecological stewardship grounded in the principles of sustainability at the human and natural level.
Reflections with Sr Monica Sparks
At the moment I have returned to Mt. Magnet ministry in the Murchison District W.A. The parched land is in stark contrast to the wildflower extravaganza I experienced last September and October. Through eleven years of drought in the once productive ‘Rangelands’ country, the pastoralists have extreme need to maintain the stations' biodiversity. One pastoralist, Mike Clinch of Nellan Station recounted to me the effect of the long drought. Mike's passion is to be a good land manager, planting perennial native grasses, utilizing every raindrop, collecting and propagating natural native seeds. Stock balance with regenerated and well rooted vegetation is paramount. Big problems are presenting as hordes of introduced wild goats migrate south destroying native vegetation.
So we pray,
Creator God,
Peace with You and peace with all, creation demands justice to all.
We are called to Conversion, to transform our selves, our Communities, our work places and practises, our nation and even our world. We ask forgiveness and in this post Pentecostal time we ask that the Spirit grace us with knowledge, wisdom, wonder and courage to act in partnership with your creation. We make our prayer through Christ Jesus, the Cosmic One. Amen.
Sr.Monica Sparks sgs.
