{"id":36003,"date":"2020-03-10T16:27:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T16:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cappusa.wpengine.com\/?page_id=36003"},"modified":"2025-08-19T21:52:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T21:52:56","slug":"physical-environment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/es\/physical-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"Physical Environment"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Our Physical Environment<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Mosaic (0)” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”90%” max_width=”90%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||30px||false|false” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”off” custom_width_percent=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ module_class=”M-0_grid” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”M-0_grid-item M-0_grid-item1 fade-text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/05baptism-crop.jpg” text_orientation=”center” hover_transition_delay=”50ms” hover_transition_speed_curve=”ease-in-out” global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” text_text_color__hover=”#084369″ background__hover_enabled=”on” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on” filter_opacity__hover=”100%” custom_css_main_element__hover_enabled=”on”]<\/p>\n

Requires Faith & Conversion<\/p>\n

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Our Excessive Consumption<\/p>\n

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God’s Precious Gift<\/p>\n

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God’s Precious Gift<\/p>\n

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Solidarity with Future Generations<\/p>\n

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Solidarity with Future Generations<\/p>\n

“]<\/p>\n

Solidarity with Future Generations<\/p>\n

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An Ecological Crisis<\/p>\n

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Intimately Linked with our Human Environment<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”200ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”10px||30px||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_4_font=”|300|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ header_4_font_size=”24px” header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|-99px||-99px” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”||||false|false” link_option_url_new_window=”on” inline_fonts=”Playfair Display,Open Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd God saw that it was good\u201d.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Genesis 1:25[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_5_font=”||||||||” header_5_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin_phone=”|-99px||-99px” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” link_option_url_new_window=”on” inline_fonts=”Playfair Display,Open Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\u201cA radical challenge<\/strong>\u2026is to use the earth\u2019s resources wisely and responsibly\u2026To do this is to respect the will of the Creator.\u201d<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Pope St. John Paul II, 4<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Three Recurring Topics…<\/span><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Three recurring topics underlying or emanating from the Church\u2019s concern for our physical\u00a0environment\u00a0and our response to ecological issues include:<\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/man-with-two-kids-near-body-of-water-1157398-1024×683.jpg” alt=”A man with two kids plays near a large lake with forested mountains on the other side, showing the unity of the human and physical environment” title_text=”man-with-two-kids-near-body-of-water-1157398″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”30px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Unity of the Human and Physical Environment<\/h2>\n

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“The deterioration<\/strong> of nature<\/strong> is in fact closely connected to the culture.”\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“[N]o peaceful society can afford to neglect either respect for life or the fact that there is an<\/strong> integrity to creation<\/strong>“.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 1)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

“Creation is made to connect us with God and to each other; it is\u00a0God\u2019s social network.”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

“[T]here is a growing awareness that man and his environment are more inseparable than ever”.\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI)<\/a> “[E]verything is bound up together.” (Pope St. Paul VI, 3)<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“When ‘human ecology’ is respected within society, environmental ecology also benefits.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cRespect 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\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 16)<\/a><\/p>\n

“The Church has a responsibility towards creation”. However, “[s]he must above all protect mankind from self-destruction. There is need for what might be called a human ecology”.\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/ultrasound-resize-1024×683.jpg” alt=”A ultrasound image of an unborn child symbolizes the solidarity with future generations that is a pillar of the Church’s approach to the physical environment” title_text=”ultrasound-resize” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”30px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Solidarity with Future Generations<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#084369″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“[H]umanity today must be conscious of its duties and obligations towards future generations.” <\/span>(Pope St. John Paul II, 37)<\/a><\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

“A greater sense of intergenerational solidarity is urgently needed<\/strong>. Future generations cannot be saddled with the cost of our use of common environmental resources.”\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 8)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[O]ur<\/span> generation must energetically accept the challenge\u2026to prepare a hospitable earth for future generations.\u201d (Pope St. Paul VI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

“We can no longer speak of sustainable development apart from intergenerational solidarity”.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 159)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“Intergenerational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of justice, since the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us.”\u00a0(Pope Francis, 159)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

“We are the\u00a0heirs of earlier generations, and we\u00a0reap benefits from the efforts of our contemporaries; we are under obligation to all men. Therefore\u00a0we cannot disregard the welfare of those who will come after us to increase the human family.”\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 17)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/people-mall-resize.jpg” alt=”A crowd of shoppers in a gaudy mall shows the pathology of excessive consumption, which has a bad effect on the physical environment” title_text=”people-mall-resize” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”30px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#054368″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Pathology of Excessive Consumption<\/h2>\n

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“Too many of us act like tyrants<\/strong> with regard to creation.\u201d (Pope Francis)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“[M]an consumes the resources of the earth and his own life in an excessive and disordered way”.\u00a0<\/span>(Pope St. John Paul II, 37)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

“It should be evident that the ecological crisis cannot be viewed in isolation from other related questions\u2026Specifically, they call for a lifestyle marked by sobriety and solidarity“<\/strong>.\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 5)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“[O]ur lifestyles…our daily decisions…about material goods, can often be thoughtless and harmful.”\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

“Let us make an effort to change and to adopt more simple and respectful lifestyles!”\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_button button_url=”\/consumerism\/” button_text=”A Profound Insight – LEARN MORE” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”FaQs 1-0″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ min_height=”95px” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”30px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”30px||0px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Violates the Principle of X (1-2)t” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#eb7425″ width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” inline_fonts=”Playfair Display,Open Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

…And, One Profound Dimension<\/span><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”30px||50px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” disabled_on=”on|on|off” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”|40px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A Spirituality Based in the Holy Mass<\/span><\/h4>\n

Celebration of the Mass “helps us to see the unity of God’s plan and to grasp the profound relationship between creation and the “new creation” inaugurated in the resurrection of Christ”.\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI,\u00a092)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

“The presentation of the gifts\u2026leads us to see the world as God’s creation, which brings forth everything we need for our sustenance.”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI,\u00a092)<\/a><\/p>\n

“[J]ust as in the Eucharist the bread and the wine become Christ\u2026so creation becomes the personal word of God”<\/strong>.\u00a0(Pope Francis, “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Environmental Challenge” Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2019)<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”10px|40px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“A spirituality which forgets God as all-powerful and Creator is not acceptable.” (Pope Francis, 76)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Francis\u2019 spiritual understanding of “our common home” may be seen as a 21st century illumination of St. Francis of Assisi\u2019s 13th century formulation of “nature” as the mirror of God \u2013 even calling all creatures his “brothers” and “sisters”.<\/p>\n

NOTE<\/strong>:\u00a0On October 24, 2019 the Vatican\u2019s Libreria Editrice Vaticana released “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Environmental Challenge” – a<\/span>\u00a0book of passages from Pope Francis\u2019 encyclicals, texts, homilies and speeches on the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/st.francis-crop-2.jpg” alt=”St Francis receives the stigmata in Alonso Cano’s painting from 1651, showing that St. Francis’ respect for the physical environment was deeply intertwined with his spirituality and relationship with God” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-2px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||20px||false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/st.francis-crop-2.jpg” alt=”St Francis receives the stigmata in Alonso Cano’s painting from 1651, showing that St. Francis’ respect for the physical environment was deeply intertwined with his spirituality and relationship with God” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-2px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”|40px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A Spirituality Based in the Holy Mass<\/span><\/h4>\n

Celebration of the Mass “helps us to see the unity of God’s plan and to grasp the profound relationship between creation and the “new creation” inaugurated in the resurrection of Christ”.\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI,\u00a092)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

“The presentation of the gifts\u2026leads us to see the world as God’s creation, which brings forth everything we need for our sustenance.”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI,\u00a092)<\/a><\/p>\n

“[J]ust as in the Eucharist the bread and the wine become Christ\u2026so creation becomes the personal word of God<\/strong>“.\u00a0(Pope Francis, “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Environmental Challenge” Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2019)<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”10px|40px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“A spirituality which forgets God as all-powerful and Creator is not acceptable.” (Pope Francis, 76)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Francis\u2019 spiritual understanding of “our common home” may be seen as a 21st century illumination of St. Francis of Assisi\u2019s 13th century formulation of “nature” as the mirror of God \u2013 even calling all creatures his “brothers” and “sisters”.<\/span><\/p>\n

NOTE<\/strong>:\u00a0On October 24, 2019 the Vatican\u2019s Libreria Editrice Vaticana released “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Environmental Challenge” – a<\/span>\u00a0book of passages from Pope Francis\u2019 encyclicals, texts, homilies and speeches on the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”FaQs 1-0″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”0px||0px” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”95px” custom_padding=”20px||40px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”40px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Violates the Principle of X (1-2)t” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#eb7425″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” custom_padding=”||10px|” inline_fonts=”Playfair Display,Open Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How Do We Fix the Problem?<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”2-1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”50px||50px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”200ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/man-beach-landscape-sea-coast-water-680227-pxhere.com_-1024×576.jpg” alt=”A father and son stand silhouetted on the beach, suggesting a connection between the human environment and the physical environment” title_text=”man-beach-landscape-sea-coast-water-680227-pxhere.com” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding_tablet=”||30px” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”||10px|40px” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”0px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Advance A Human Ecology<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”|||40px” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”0px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“There can be\u00a0<\/span>no ecology without<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>an adequate\u00a0<\/span>anthropology<\/strong>.”\u00a0(Pope Francis, 118)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“The book of nature is one and indivisible<\/strong>: it takes in not only the environment <\/strong><\/span>but also<\/strong> life,\u00a0<\/span>sexuality, marriage, the family, social relations…It would be wrong<\/strong> to uphold one set of duties\u00a0<\/span>while trampling on the other.”\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

“Our duties towards the\u00a0environment<\/span>\u00a0are linked to our duties towards the human person.”\u00a0(Synod of Bishops, XIII Ordinary General Assembly, 21)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#ffffff” open_icon_color=”#ffffff” module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”10px|||40px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“Herein lies a grave contradiction in our mentality and practice today: one which demeans the person, disrupts the\u00a0environment<\/span>\u00a0and damages society.”\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/em><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Church points out “the more serious destruction of the human\u00a0environment<\/span><\/strong>, something\u00a0which is by no means receiving the attention it deserves.”\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”20px||20px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” disabled_on=”on|on|off” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”|40px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Personal Conversion<\/span><\/h4>\n

The “answer”\u00a0is found in Jesus<\/strong> because: “once Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego, but the One who is born and lives for love.”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/p>\n

“Christians, in particular, realize that their responsibility within creation and their duty towards nature and the Creator are an essential part of their faith.”\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

We require a “spiritual rebirth”, seeing all of creation as a gift from God – given out of His immense love for humanity. (Pope Francis, “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the\u00a0<\/span>Environmental<\/span>\u00a0Challenge”)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFaith\u2026by revealing the love of God the Creator, enables us to respect nature all the more, and to discern\u2026a dwelling place entrusted to our protection and care.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Pope Francis, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/closed-eyed-man-holding-his-face-using-both-of-his-hands-1309052-1024×683.jpg” alt=”A heavily tattooed man prays in a church, symbolizing the need for personal conversion in order to protect the physical environment” title_text=”closed-eyed-man-holding-his-face-using-both-of-his-hands-1309052″ align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-2px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||20px||true|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/closed-eyed-man-holding-his-face-using-both-of-his-hands-1309052-1024×683.jpg” alt=”A heavily tattooed man prays in a church, symbolizing the need for personal conversion in order to protect the physical environment” title_text=”closed-eyed-man-holding-his-face-using-both-of-his-hands-1309052″ align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-2px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”|40px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Personal Conversion<\/span><\/h4>\n

The “answer”\u00a0is found in Jesus<\/strong> because: “once Jesus dwells in our heart, the center of life is no longer my ravenous and selfish ego, but the One who is born and lives for love.”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/p>\n

“Christians, in particular, realize that their responsibility within creation and their duty towards nature and the Creator are an essential part of their faith.”\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

We require a “spiritual rebirth”, seeing all of creation as a gift from God – given out of His immense love for humanity. (Pope Francis, “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the\u00a0<\/span>Environmental<\/span>\u00a0Challenge”)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFaith\u2026by revealing the love of God the Creator, enables us to respect nature all the more, and to discern\u2026a dwelling place entrusted to our protection and care.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Pope Francis, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”2-1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_padding=”50px||50px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”200ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/backlit-breathing-apparatus-danger-dangerous-279979-1024×682.jpg” title_text=”backlit-breathing-apparatus-danger-dangerous-279979″ align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding_tablet=”||30px” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”||10px|40px” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”0px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Courage<\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”|||40px” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px” custom_padding_phone=”0px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“[C]onsumer attitudes and life styles can be created which are objectively improper and often damaging to [our] physical and spiritual health”.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Society must undertake \u201ca serious review of its lifestyle<\/strong>, which in many parts of the world is\u00a0prone to hedonism and consumerism, regardless of their harmful consequences.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

We need to ask ourselves: \u201cDo I really need all these material objects<\/strong> and complicated recipes for living? Can I manage without all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

We must change our models of consumption from a style of life directed towards \u201chaving\u201d rather than \u201cbeing\u201d. We must reject a \u201cweb of false and superficial gratifications.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 41)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”10px|||40px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe individualism of our postmodern and globalized era favors a lifestyle which weakens the development and stability of personal relationships and distorts family bonds\u201d.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 67)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The goal of Catholic social teaching is for life styles in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness, and communion with others for the sake of the common good will determine consumers\u2019 choices, savings, and investments.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 36)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_button button_url=”\/consumerism\/” button_text=”A Profound Insight – LEARN MORE” button_alignment=”left” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”10px||0px|40px|false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”20px||20px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” disabled_on=”on|on|off” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|40px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Structural Change<\/span><\/h4>\n

“Sin and ‘structures of sin<\/strong>‘\u2026give a name to the root of the evils<\/strong> which afflict us.\u201d <\/span>\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 37)<\/a><\/p>\n

It is structures of sin that “produce evil, pollute the environment, hurt and humiliate the poor, [and] favor the logic of possession and of power”. (Pope Francis, “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Environmental Challenge”)<\/span><\/p>\n

“Let us\u00a0<\/span>demand<\/span> political <\/span>decisions<\/span>\u00a0that combine progress and equality, development and sustainability for\u00a0<\/span>everyone”.\u00a0<\/span>(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

We need “a profound revision of our cultural and economic models”. (Pope Francis, “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Environmental Challenge”)<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”10px|40px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

We must “move from models founded on control and possession, power and success (a situation where ‘[h]uman beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded'”)\u00a0<\/span>to ones that promote well-ordered growth and solidarity.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 53)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

“[S]tructures of sin\u2019\u2026can be overcome only through the exercise of the human and Christian solidarity…Only in this way can such positive energies be fully released for the benefit of development and peace.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 40)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/nirmal-rajendharkumar-mg62ux7G19w-unsplash-1024×683.jpg” title_text=”nirmal-rajendharkumar-mg62ux7G19w-unsplash” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-2px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||20px||true|false” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/nirmal-rajendharkumar-mg62ux7G19w-unsplash-1024×683.jpg” title_text=”nirmal-rajendharkumar-mg62ux7G19w-unsplash” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-2px|||||” custom_padding_tablet=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|40px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Structural Change<\/span><\/h4>\n

“Sin and ‘structures of sin<\/strong>‘\u2026give a name to the root of the evils<\/strong> which afflict us.\u201d <\/span>\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 37)<\/a><\/p>\n

It is structures of sin that “produce evil, pollute the environment, hurt and humiliate the poor, [and] favor the logic of possession and of power”. (Pope Francis, “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Environmental Challenge”)<\/span><\/p>\n

“Let us\u00a0<\/span>demand<\/span> political <\/span>decisions<\/span>\u00a0that combine progress and equality, development and sustainability for\u00a0<\/span>everyone”.\u00a0<\/span>(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

We need “a profound revision of our cultural and economic models”. (Pope Francis, “Our Mother Earth: A Christian Reading of the Environmental Challenge”)<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Read More” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ module_class=”hover-btn-border read-more” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_text_align=”left” title_font_size=”14px” title_line_height=”1.7em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_margin=”10px|40px|||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” link_option_url_new_window=”on” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

We must “move from models founded on control and possession, power and success (a situation where ‘[h]uman beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded'”)\u00a0<\/span>to ones that promote well-ordered growth and solidarity.\u00a0(Pope Francis, 53)<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

“[S]tructures of sin\u2019\u2026can be overcome only through the exercise of the human and Christian solidarity…Only in this way can such positive energies be fully released for the benefit of development and peace.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 40)<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#eb7425″ z_index=”1″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” animation_delay=”200ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||20px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”title” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#eb7425″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

But, Most of All, We Must Promote Integral Ecology<\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/integral-ecology\/” button_text=”LEARN MORE” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”20px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”|20px||20px|false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”30px||20px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”title” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ custom_padding=”||20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

What About Climate Change?<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/climate-change\/” button_text=”It’s Complicated” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”20px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_divider divider_position=”bottom” divider_weight=”2px” _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”50px” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”40px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/human-environment\/” button_text=”Explore Our Human Environment” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”20px” button_text_color=”#054368″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|600||on|||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”20px|20px|10px|20px|false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AdobeStock_157566684_crop-1024×1024.jpg” title_text=”Excited children jumping in pool holding hands” url=”\/human-environment\/” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|20px||20px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”10px|20px||20px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

The call for an “ecology of the human person<\/strong>” involves issues of the social structure in which we live. These structures can either help or hinder our living in accordance with the truth and it is here that Catholic social teaching begins to integrate issues of life.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I readily encourage efforts to promote a greater sense of ecological responsibility which…would safeguard an authentic ‘human ecology’ and thus forcefully reaffirm the inviolability of human life at every stage and in every condition, the dignity of the person and the unique mission of the family, where one is trained in love of neighbor and respect for nature.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 12)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”FaQs 1-0″ module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_padding=”50px||50px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”95px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#054368″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_line_height=”1.5em” header_4_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_align=”center” header_4_text_color=”#084369″ min_height=”59px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||20px” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin__hover_enabled=”on”]<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Q: Is climate change a \u2018topic\u2019 for Catholic social teaching?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ admin_label=”Q: What happens when \u2018subsidiarity\u2019 is not observed or seriously abrogated?” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#084369″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||20px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A:\u00a0Yes. Ecological issues were introduced to CST by Pope Saint John Paul II in his 1991\u00a0<\/span>encyclical Centesimus Annus wherein he said \u201cIn his desire to have and to enjoy rather than to be\u00a0<\/span>and to grow, man consumes the resources of the earth and his own life in an excessive and\u00a0<\/span>disordered way\u2026In this regard, humanity today must be conscious of its duties and obligations\u00a0<\/span>towards future generations.”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope\u00a0St. John Paul,\u00a037)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Benedict XVI, while not usually recognized for it, reiterated and strengthened this concern for\u00a0<\/span>the environment \u2013 a concern he expressed consistently throughout his pontificate \u2013 saying: \u201cThe\u00a0<\/span>earth is a precious gift of the Creator, who has designed its intrinsic order, thus giving us\u00a0<\/span>guidelines to which we must hold ourselves as stewards of his creation\u2026In my recent\u00a0<\/span>Encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, I referred more than once to such questions.”\u00a0(General Audience, August 26, 2009)<\/a><\/span>\u00a0Pope Benedict XVI also made this topic the theme for his 2010 World Day of Peace\u00a0<\/span>Message wherein he made the most developed magisterial case, to that point, on the topic of the\u00a0<\/span>environment.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Francis has now dedicated an entire encyclical (Laudato Si\u2019) to this wherein he expresses\u00a0<\/span>his \u201chope that this Encyclical Letter, which is now added to the body of the Church\u2019s social\u00a0<\/span>teaching, can help us to acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we\u00a0<\/span>face.”\u00a0<\/span>(Laudato Si’, 15<\/i>)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Q: Who is responsible for stewardship of the Earth?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ admin_label=”Q: Why must decisions be handled at the lowest level? ” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#084369″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||20px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”50ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]A:\u00a0The Church, up to now, has been clear: It is up to the lay faithful to implement Catholic social teaching in the\u00a0<\/span>world:\u00a0<\/span>Gaudium et Spes (the Pastoral Constitution On The Church In The Modern World) establishes\u00a0<\/span>this responsibility;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed it: \u201c[T]he direct duty to work for a just ordering of society\u2026is proper\u00a0<\/span>to the lay faithful\u201d. <\/span>(Deus Caritas Est,\u00a029)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Francis \u2018elevated the bar\u2019 with this: \u201cWorking for a just distribution of the fruits of the\u00a0<\/span>earth and human labor is not mere philanthropy. It is a moral obligation. For Christians, the\u00a0<\/span>responsibility is even greater: it is a commandment.\u201d (Address to the Second World Meeting of Popular Movements, 3.1)\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope St. John Paul II directly tied this \u201ccommandment\u201d to Catholic social teaching when he called for the Church to announce \u201cChrist to leaders, men and women alike, insisting especially on the formation of consciences on the basis of the Church\u2019s social doctrine.\u201d (Ecclesia in America, 67)<\/a><\/span><\/span>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Q: How should lay Catholics implement the Church\u2019s teaching on environmental issues?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ admin_label=”Q: Is the Church limiting the state\u2019s ability to effect needed changes and numerous goods?” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#084369″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||20px” custom_padding=”||” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”150ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A:\u00a0Pope Benedict XVI said, \u201cthe formation of just structures\u2026belongs to the world of politics\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0<\/em><\/span>(Deus Caritas Est,\u00a029)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Francis has \u201craised the stakes\u201d:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cPolitics is an essential means of building human community and institutions\u201d.\u00a0<\/span>(World Day of Peace, 2019)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe, Christians, cannot \u2018play Pilate\u2019 and wash our hands\u2026We must participate in politics\u00a0<\/span>because politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good. And\u00a0<\/span>Christian lay people must work in politics.\u201d (Address to the Students of the Jesuit Schools of Italy and\u00a0Albania, 7 June 2013)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pope Francis also recognizes that this \u201cis not easy; politics has become too tainted. But I ask myself: Why has it become tainted? Because Christians have not participated in politics with an evangelical spirit? \u2026To work for the common good is a Christian duty, and many times the way in which to work towards it is through politics.\u201d (ibid.)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Q: Is climate change a political issue, thereby requiring lay Catholic involvement?” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ admin_label=”Q: Has the Church said anything specific on \u2018Democratic socialism\u2019? ” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#084369″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||20px” custom_padding=”||” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A:\u00a0Clearly, in the U.S., the answer is \u2018yes\u2019. One political party committed the country to a\u00a0<\/span>significant international accord on the topic and has proposed a \u201cGreen New Deal\u201d which would\u00a0<\/span>allocate tremendous resources to it; the other party has withdrawn the U.S. from the international\u00a0<\/span>accord and opposes the other party\u2019s current proposals.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Q: How, then, do we best fulfill our \u2018requirement\u2019 – How should we apply Catholic social teaching? ” icon_color=”#054368″ open_icon_color=”#054368″ admin_label=”Q: Is it ever appropriate to support \u201chigher order\u201d and\/or government solutions to social problems? ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ title_text_color=”#054368″ title_level=”h3″ title_font=”||||||||” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#084369″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”250ms” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

A:\u00a0We must internalize Catholic social teaching. Then, having formed our conscience on it, we must, by duty and in\u00a0<\/span>charity, actively engage in the secular world.<\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

We should follow Pope Saint John Paul II\u2019s call to form our conscience on CST and then engage\u00a0<\/span>the world with its tenets. This commitment entails addressing issues starting from Catholic social teaching principles <\/span>rather than from positions. Here, \u201cpeople of goodwill\u201d can\/should dialogue and can disagree on\u00a0<\/span>\u201cpositions\u201d – as long as their prudential judgment is well-formed with a deep internalization of <\/span>Catholic social teaching principles. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[W]e should pray for the conversion of the many people…who do not yet recognize the urgent need to care for our common home.\u201d (Pope Leo XIV)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”50px||50px” make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Four Pathologies<\/span><\/h4>\n
\u00a0<\/h5>\n
The Church\u00a0identifies four dangers or major \u2018risks and problems\u2019<\/b>\u00a0eating away at the cultural, economic, and political systems\u00a0and begins to identify how to cure them<\/b>.<\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” admin_label=”Pathology Widget” module_id=”issues-slider” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#084369″ custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”750ms” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_module=”30885″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slide heading=”Consumerism” button_link=”\/consumerism\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/icon3.png” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”\/consumerism\/” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe exclusive pursuit of material possessions prevents man’s growth as a human being and stands in opposition to his true grandeur.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. Paul VI, 19)<\/span> A person who is concerned solely or primarily with possessing and enjoying \u2013 who can no longer subordinate his instincts – cannot be free.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Environmental Degradation” button_link=”\/environmental-degradation\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/icon1.png” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#054368″ header_font_size=”30px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#054368″ background_color=”#ffffff” transform_translate_linked=”off” link_option_url=”\/environmental-degradation\/” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

Both our physical and human environment are at risk and the Church insists we ignore neither! \u201cIt is contradictory to insist that future generations respect the natural environment when our educational systems and laws do not help them to respect themselves. The book of nature is one and indivisible: it takes in not only the environment but also life, sexuality, marriage, the family, social relations: in a word, integral human development.”<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Alienation” button_link=”\/alienation\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/icon2.png” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”\/alienation\/” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

We are losing the \u201cauthentic meaning of life\u201d!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>When we\u00a0<\/span>refuse to transcend ourselves \u201cand to live the experience of self-giving”.<\/span>\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 41)<\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/span> when society \u201cis marked by a \u2018globalization of indifference\u2019 that makes us\u2026closed in on ourselves.\u201d (Pope Francis, 1)<\/a> \u00a0both the individual and society are alienated.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Radical Secularism” button_link=”\/under-development\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/icon4.png” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” background_color=”#ffffff” link_option_url=”\/under-development\/” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe greatest challenge of our time is secularization\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 3)<\/em><\/span>\u200b<\/a>\u00a0Why? Radical secularism holds that there is no such thing as an objective truth. But, \u201cWithout truth, without trust and love for what is true, there is no social conscience and responsibility, and social action ends up serving private interests and the logic of power.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 5)<\/em>\u200b<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Image & Text” module_id=”newsletter” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#eb7525″ z_index=”950″ display_conditions=”W3siaWQiOiI2MmUwMjk2ZS1lYmY5LTQwYWYtYmM0Mi0zZmEzYzUyNGNlYTEiLCJjb25kaXRpb24iOiJwYWdlIiwiY29uZGl0aW9uU2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiZGlzcGxheVJ1bGUiOiJpc05vdCIsImR5bmFtaWNQb3N0cyI6W3sibGFiZWwiOiJDYXJpdGFzIGluIFZlcml0YXRlIiwidmFsdWUiOiI0NzIxNCJ9XSwicG9zdFR5cGVMYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiYWRtaW5MYWJlbCI6IlBhZ2VzIiwiZW5hYmxlQ29uZGl0aW9uIjoib24ifSwib3BlcmF0b3IiOiJPUiJ9XQ==” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” animation_direction=”left” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”45073″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” module_class=”mosaic_width” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”200ms” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”ds-vertical-align” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Playfair Display||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#eb7525″ header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_4_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffffff” header_4_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||” custom_padding=”||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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