Examining the Impact of Religion on Social Solidarity

"As Christians we are co-creators of life, being stewardships for God"

Today, we realise how urgent this issue is for the whole world. The threat is to life in general. The life of the planet is endangered. The ecological crisis raises the problem of survival itself. Moreover, there is a growing awareness of the destruction of the environment in response to Catholicism. The Catholic Church's aim is to analyse the effect or the consequences of our actions in regards to how we treat our natural surroundings for all things are interconnected; when we poison the Earth we are poisoning ourselves.

"Ecotheology, guides Christian interaction with the environment. Ecotheology addresses the value of other creatures and God's intent for the cosmos." It is by the study of ecotheology that we as a community can secure the well being of our environment.

Few Catholics seem aware that there is an authoritative Catholic teaching regarding our proper attitude and conduct toward the environment. Once better informed of the need for environmental responsibility, Catholics are often inspired to initiate practical projects or to protest against the destruction being caused. There are many powerful sources in which govern our attitude and conduct toward the created order of natures, for instance the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and the Holy Scriptures. They promote, to bring about behavior that neither exploits and misuses animals and plants nor, on the other hand, abdicates man's role as steward of creation

"Each creature possesses its own particular goodness and perfection" and "Each of the various creatures, willed in its own being, reflects in its own way a ray of God's infinite wisdom and goodness." In these two sentences we have a perfect summary of the Catholic doctrine on and attitude toward the created order of natures. Without denying that mankind is the crown and ruler of creation, however, the individual beings of the plant and animal kingdoms, even rocks and minerals, have a perfection of their own and reflect "a ray of God's infinite wisdom and goodness. Simply meaning, that even though humans are superior, the natural environment too have great manifestations. Emphasising to the Catholic community, that nature is special in it's own ways therefore, Catholics will have an understanding that the religious concern for the conservation and ecological harmony of the natural world is our common heritage, out birthright and our duty.

As Catholics we must try to make our attitude toward our fellow creatures that of Holy Scripture, which eloquently speaks of animals, plants and even ice and snow or clouds and lightning, as praising God simply by their existence.

Since each created thing blesses and praises God in its natural state, simply by existing, we ought not to take away that praise from God unless we have good reason. For natural things are not simply at our disposal, but exist "to complete each other, in the service of each other." If we use them for frivolous reasons, or for things that ultimately are harmful to human society, then we are not using them in our service, but to our hurt. The mere piling up of consumer goods, the spending of huge sums on unworthy objects, our insatiable appetite for amusements — are any of these sufficiently important to justify our taking away things of the natural order from their work of praising God? As Pope John Paul 11 wrote in Centesimus Annus. In addition, Pope John Paul II reminds us in his statement The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility that "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." In that spirit of praise and thanksgiving to God for the wonders of creation, we Catholics call for a civil dialogue and prudence and constructive action to protect God's precious gift of the earth's atmosphere with a sense of genuine solidarity and justice for all God's children.

On August 2002 the Earth Charter presented a World Summit on Sustainable Development. The Earth Charter is a declaration of Fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It seeks to inspire in all peoples a new sense of interdependence and shared responsibility for the well being of the human family and the larger world. It is an expression of hope and a call to help create a global partnership at a critical juncture in history.

The Ecological "Titanic" Iceberg is a diagram from the CCJP, Saving the Planet: Earth Charter. It explains consequences of what has and will happen if we continue to "consume use" and the chance the planet has if we respect the environment. The Catholic group from Sydney, by using this particular diagram contributes to secure the earth for it creates visuals and crams words into the readers head. It also uses a metaphor where the "consume use" iceberg is on top and the "spiritual, simpler" section is under water emphasising that continued hurt to the environment is more dominant, hence, making a stance that action is needed to be done.

The Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (ACSJC) addressed environmental issues in their social justice Sunday statement 2002. The Australian bishops reinforced the idea that action is needed. That individuals, community groups, governments at all levels, businesses and faith communities all have roles to play.

"Politicians and public servants can do much to protect and rejuvenate our ecosystems and natural resources."

"Catholic parents, as the primary teachers of their children, can help them discover the wonders of nature. Catholic parishes, schools, dioceses and organisations have an essential role to play. They are challenged to be examples of best practice in ecological stewardship." The ACSJC is shaping the principle of subsidiarity, suggesting that responsibility for decision-making and action should be kept as close as possible to those most directly affected by a decision or a policy.

The mentality in the old days had the mindset that the Earth was there for us to use. People then abused it, raped it. When Hebrew was translated to English the true meaning of the word in the bible was changed, we thought God meant to "conquer" the Earth when really he meant to be the "care-taker". Although we can't stop progress, we can encourage sustainable development. To take and give back. To nurture the environment, as Catholics we have an obligation to nurture the Earth. Firstly, to find a way, to respect the environment. Whatever the Governments or industry say, land management is a moral issue. It isn't necessary to leave it to the scientists; we can make a difference. Religion does have something to say about the environment, our faith- to contribute to the debate, the ethical perspective and an obligation to stand up for what is right, to speak the truth. In the end to find a balance. As the same when you have self-respect, to have respect for our environment.

The only means by which we can escape this bitter warfare, is by obtaining an understanding of what the Church really teaches - our treatment of the environment. If we embrace what the Church teaches in Holy Scripture, in the CCC and in other magisterial documents, then we can have some hope of rejoicing in our "solidarity [with] all creatures" at the same time as we recognize that we are the "summit of the Creator's work."