Transcript God saw how good it was. Gen. 1:10 God

God saw how good it was. Gen. 1:10
God looked at what he had made,
and God found it very good. Gen. 1:31
God said to Noah and to his sons: “See, I am now
establishing my covenant with you and your descendants, and
with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and
various tame and wild animals that were with you and came
out of the ark. Gen. 9:8-10
Psalms
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O Lord, our Lord, how awesome is your name
through all the earth. Ps. 8:1
You fixed the earth on its foundation, never to
be moved. Ps. 104:5
Praise God, highest heavens. Let them all praise
the Lord’s name; for the Lord commanded and
they were created. Ps. 148:5
Parables
When Jesus wanted to listen to God deeply
he went to the hills to pray, desert to
discern and mountains talk with God.
Jesus said, Look at the flowers of the
field…Will God not much more care
for you?
Luke 12:27, 28
Church Teaching
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Rerum Novarum (1891) claimed that the goods of
the Earth are for all to share
Quadragesimo Anno (1913) suggested limits on
private ownership
Pacem in Terris (1963) stated that sharing was
essential for peace and justice
Octogesima Adveniens (1971) the Church took the
reference to the environment one small step
further.
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Justice in the World, (1971) international synod of bishops - first
significant magisterial declaration characterizing environmental
degradation as a violence carried out by wealthy consumers
against the poor.. Puts the environmental issue squarely on the
table.
Redemptor Hominis (1979) warns against needless exploitation of
Earth, observing that Earth's resources are being depleted at an
ever-increasing rate and putting intolerable pressure on the
environment.
Sollicitude Rei Socialis (1987) addresses ecology in a
substantive manner. Speaks of respect for the natural
world and of the mutual connection among all created
things in the cosmos
The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility - Peace with
God the Creator, Peace with all Creation (1991 - World Day of
Peace message) major breakthrough in Roman Catholic
official teaching on environment, entirely devoted to
environmental concerns.
U.S. Bishops:
 Renewing the Face of the Earth Being good stewards is a
moral issue
 Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the
Common Good - concern for how climate change affects
our brothers and sisters living in poverty throughout
the world.
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Man is suddenly becoming aware that by an
ill-considered exploitation of nature he risks
destroying it and becoming in his turn the
victim of this degradation
Pope Paul VI
There is a growing awareness
that world peace is threatened
not only by the arms race,
regional conflicts, and
continued injustice among
peoples and nations,
but also by a lack of due respect
for nature....
Pope John Paul II
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Creation therefore remains a kind of first revelation which speaks to us clearly
of the Creator and which can lead us ever more deeply into the mystery of
God’s love for us.
Pope John Paul II January, 2002
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No peaceful society can afford to neglect either respect for life or the fact that
there is an integrity to creation. Pope John Paul II January, 2002
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Our earth speaks to us, and we must listen if we want to survive.
Pope Benedict XVI, July 24, 2007
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Rediscovery of the Face of the Creator in Creation, to rediscover in the
Creator’s Presence our responsibility for his Creation.
Pope Benedict XVI, World Youth Day, 2008
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Pope Benedict has made the Vatican carbon neutral.
Pope Benedict instructed the organizers of the Vatican Youth gathering in
Rome to use products made through the recycling process.
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There is a nobility in the duty to care for
creation through little daily actions (211)
The entire material universe speaks of God’s
love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water,
mountains – everything is, as it were, a caress of
God. (84)
Action from U.S. Bishops
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Seven Core Principles of Catholic Social
Teaching
Creation of the website
catholicsandclimatechange.org and
catholicclimatecovenant.org
Asking all Catholics to take the St. Francis
Pledge to care for creation and our brothers and
sisters who live in poverty.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Care for Creation
Seventh Principle of the Core Principles of
Catholic Social Teaching
We show respect for the Creator by our
stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is
not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a
REQUIREMENT of our faith.
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
St. Francis Pledge to care for creation and our
brothers and sisters who live in poverty
I/We Pledge to:
 PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and
protect the poor and vulnerable.
 LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral
dimensions of climate change.
 ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and
other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy
use, consumption, waste, etc.
 ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we
contribute to climate change.
 ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate
change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those
who are poor and vulnerable.
Diocese of Buffalo
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2007 – Grant from NYS Catholic Conference of
Bishops to be used to educate the people of the
diocese on the moral issue of care for creation.
Creation of Diocesan Care for Creation
Committee
Fall of 2007 and 2008 – workshops on how
parishes and families can make decisions that are
in good relationship with creation REDUCE,
REUSE, RECYLE.
2009 – working with diocesan departments
Services to Parishes offered by the Diocesan Care for
Creation Committee
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Contact persons in each parish who will assist
parish in educating parishioners
Bulletin announcements
Updates from Catholic Coalition on Climate
Change – Covenant and Pledge
Fundraisers using compact florescent bulbs
Presentations on scripture, church teaching and
caring for creation addressing many issues
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us and governs us, and who produces varied
fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
St. Francis of Assisi
Let us pray from Daniel 3:74
Let the earth bless the Lord;
Response: Praise and exalt him forever
Mountains and hills bless the Lord …
Everything growing from the earth bless the Lord
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Seas and rivers bless the Lord….
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord…
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord ….