Care for Creation

. . . and a call to global solidarity

In 2015, with his encyclical “Laudato Si!” - On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis made “Care for Creation” a separate theme within Catholic Social Teaching.

The title of the encyclical Laudato Si! (translated in English as Praise Be!) comes from the refrain of The Canticle of the Sun, written in 1225, and attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis viewed all of nature as a wonderful gift from God, a gift through which we are all deeply interconnected.

In this encyclical Pope Francis does not shy away from naming the many environmental challenges we face as a world: global warming and pollution, catastrophic weather events, drought and crop failure, loss of biodiversity, and the tremendous suffering of forced climate migration, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable.

It’s not that the idea of caring for the earth was a totally foreign one prior to Pope Francis. The Compendium of Catholic Social Teaching issued by John Paul II gave it a section of its own. Granted it’s a small section – only 17 pages - but care for the environment was recognized even back in 2004, more than 20 years ago, as a concept worthy of Catholic concern.

That makes sense when we think back to what we have learned in the past few weeks, about the Life and Dignity of the Human Person, about Solidarity and the Common Good.

The point is that the earth, our common home, must be cared for if it is going to sustain us – and future generations.

The evidence of this truth is all around us: higher and higher daily temperatures, drought and creation of deserts, rising sea levels, increasingly violent storms and other weather catastrophes.

Is it due to global warming?

Let’s not be too hasty, say some. The science is divided, say others. Never mind that “the others” often have a vested interest in the status quo – and the financial resources to sow confusion.

I find it bit ironic that the Church, a 2000+ year old institution that once was willing to put Galileo to death rather than accept his scientific conclusions, is now better at following the science than many governments and so-called experts.

What can be done?

In spite of the urgency of the situation, I believe that any solutions, to be truly lasting, must begin with a personal conversion, a change in mind and heart.

Pope Francis in Laudato Si! wisely offers the following six steps as the first steps along that critical path:

1) Recognize the severity of the problem, 2) Understand the earth is a gift intended for all, 3) Accept we have contributed to the problem, 4) Promote an “Integral Ecology” that connects social/economic/environmental issues together, 5) Cooperate across borders for the Common Good, 6) Work toward an “ecological conversion” that recognizes the inestimable value and inter-connectedness of all living things.

I know, it sounds like a lot. But to “care for creation” is a supremely Catholic thing to do, and we have much to contribute.

If this is your passion, know that the Church has plenty of resources for use to inspire your parish to take up the cause of caring for our common home.

In 2020, on the 5th anniversary of the release of Laudato Si!, the Church issued a comprehensive guide to inspire action called The Laudato Si’ Action Platform. Another excellent Catholic guide to environmental action is offered by the Catholic Climate Covenant.

Both these guides include materials for prayer, reflection, and discussion, as well as ideas to help Catholics respond as individuals, as parishes, and as advocates for change. They also include suggestions for acting on the larger stage - in our cities, in our states, and on the national and global level.

One more thing…

Pope Francis reminds us that, “The earth is essentially a shared inheritance whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.” That is why I include Global Solidarity with this Catholic Social Teaching theme.

The Church is concerned because it is truly a church for all. . .

. . . for those forced to migrate because of failure of cropland or pollution of fishing areas.

. . . for those of poor island nations threatened by sea level rise.

. . . for those whose lives and livelihoods are destroyed by weather events like tornadoes, hurricanes, and droughts. And some day, dear reader, we may all face the same catastrophes.

When the climate becomes hostile and the plants and animals on which they rely cannot adapt, the poor from around the world are forced to leave their homes and migrate. They take this drastic step out of necessity and enter a future of great uncertainty for themselves and their children.

Will they be welcomed in a new land?

How will they support their families?

Who will offer them hospitality?

These are serious questions all Catholics must ask ourselves, as in God’s eyes we are all one human family. The Church cares and so should every Catholic, every Christian.

Dear Holy Spirit, Thank you for the gift of Laudato Si! Through the instrument of Pope Francis, you remind me that Church teachings are truly alive and helpful in grappling with current challenges. Help me to take to heart Pope Francis’s wise steps to personal conversion so that I can do my part to care for my small part of creation. AMEN

Feel free to share this series with anyone you think would be interested in this topic. This Substack is free and will remain so. If you are a newcomer to this series on Catholic Social Teaching, you can see my previous posts by using this link.

Next time, we will begin to tackle some of the Church’s economic teachings. Yes, the Church has much to say about how we carry out our “economic” lives. See you then!