<\/p>\n
Discover the Catholic Church’s timeless conservation legacy\u2014from Scripture to St. Francis of Assisi to Laudato Si’\u2014rooted in stewardship of God’s creation and human dignity.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n What is the Church’s Conservation Legacy?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n From its beginning the Church has taught God’s creation is good and worthy of protection (Pope Benedict XVI, 1)<\/a> and that,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u201cChristians, in particular<\/strong>, realize that their responsibility within creation and their<\/strong> duty towards nature<\/strong> and the Creator are an essential part of their faith.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 15)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNature, in a word, is at our disposition and we are called to\u00a0exercise a responsible stewardship\u00a0over it.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis, 9)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to thy name.” Psalm 66:4<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “You crown the year with your bounty…the hills are clothed with gladness…they shout for joy and sing.” Psalm 65:10-13<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In the 4th century Saint Athanasius tells how \u201cthe renewal of creation has been the work of the selfsame Word that made it at the beginning.\u201d (On the Incarnation of the Word, 1)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The early Benedictines (6th century) cultivated the idea that one should be grounded in a community and a place and develop a relationship of care and connection to it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Then there is, of course, the 13th century patron saint of ecology – St. Francis of <\/strong>Assisi<\/strong> who saw creation as a celebration of God.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The father of modern Catholic social teaching, Pope Leo XIII, wrote [19th century], \u201cGod has granted the earth to mankind in general\u201d and, thereby, creation ministers \u201cto the needs of all<\/strong>, inasmuch as there is not one who does not sustain life from what the land produces.\u201d\u00a0(Rerum Novarum, 8)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Long before most conservation and environmental agencies and movements sprung up, Pope St. Paul VI [1972] wrote \u201cTo rule creation means\u2026to transform the world\u2026into a beautiful abode where everything is respected<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0(Letter to the Secretary-General of the U.N. Conference)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n And Pope St. John Paul II wrote [1991], “Man thinks that he can make arbitrary use of the earth\u2026as though it did not have its own requisites and a prior God-given purpose, which man can indeed develop but must not betray.” (Centesimus Annus, 37)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “[M]an is warned of the necessity of replacing the unchecked advance of material progress\u2026with new-found respect for the biosphere”. (Pope St. Paul VI)<\/a> The Catholic Church has never let up on this point. Pope St. John Paul II proclaimed \u201c[T]here is an order in the universe which must be respected, and\u2026I wish to repeat that\u00a0the ecological crisis is a moral issue\u201d. (World Day of Peace Message, 15)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n His successor, the “Green” Pope, Benedict XVI, made clear \u201cThe earth is a precious gift of the Creator<\/strong>, who has designed its intrinsic order, thus giving us guidelines to which we must hold ourselves as stewards of his creation\u201d. (General Audience)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While Pope Francis insists the earth is crying “out to us because of the harm we have inflicted<\/strong> on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her”.\u00a0(Laudato Si, 2)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In fact, it is the threat to our human environment that creates the threat to our natural environment! \u201cIf an appreciation of the value\u00a0of the human person and of human life\u00a0is lacking, we will also lose interest in\u2026the earth\u00a0itself.\u201d\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II, 13)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen man turns his back on the Creator\u2019s plan, he provokes a disorder<\/strong> which has inevitable repercussions on the rest of the created order.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 5)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n See here<\/a> and here<\/a> for a deeper understanding of the connection between our human and physical environment.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTo seek only\u00a0a technical remedy\u00a0is\u2026to mask\u00a0the true and deepest problems of the global system.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis, 111)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe require a new and universal solidarity.\u201d (Pope Francis, 14)<\/a> Society must undertake \u201ca serious review of its lifestyle, 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 and complicated recipes for living?<\/strong> Can I manage without\u00a0all these unnecessary extras and live a life of greater simplicity?\u201d\u00a0(Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching and Care for Nature<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Importance of Our Physical Environment<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Our Human Environment is Endangered<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Consumerism and the Environment<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Top Environment Quotes from the Church<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Top Nature Quotes from the Church<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Pope Francis on the Environment<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Top Laudato Si Quotes on Environment<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What is Ecology?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Women Nurturing Sustainable Development<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/articles\/” button_text=”Back to Articles” button_alignment=”center” module_class=”hover-btn-border” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30px” 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” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#054368″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Widget of Issues ” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” 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_5,3_5,1_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ 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_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_css_main_element=”width: 100% !important;” make_fullwidth=”on” global_module=”31023″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_slider show_image_video_mobile=”on” module_class=”three-principles” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”Open Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#084369″ header_font_size=”24px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_text_color=”#084369″ width=”100%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_image_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_image_phone=”width: auto;||margin: 0 auto !important;”][et_pb_slide heading=”Three Key Principles” button_link=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” image_alt=”Three circles containing symbols of the three principles of catholic social teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.” image_tablet=”” image_phone=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3-Key-principle-icons-resized.png” image_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” z_index=”0″ overflow-x=”hidden” overflow-y=”hidden” link_option_url=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/catholic-social-teaching-principles\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 300px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles –\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Human Dignity” button_link=”\/human-dignity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/human-dignity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Solidarity” button_link=”\/solidarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/solidarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Subsidiarity” button_link=”\/subsidiarity\/” image=”https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ header_font=”||||||||” background_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”on” link_option_url=”\/subsidiarity\/” custom_css_slide_image=”width: 200px !important;||margin: 0 auto !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n Subsidiarity \u201cis a fundamental principle of social philosophy, fixed and unchangeable, that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry. So, too, it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and a disturbance of right order to transfer to the larger and higher collectivity functions which can be performed and provided for by the lesser and subordinate bodies\u201d. (Pope Pius XI)<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” 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 [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][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_code _builder_version=”4.21.0″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pope-St.-Paul-VI-in-Venice-in-1972-with-Cardinal-Patriarch-Albino-Luciani.jpg\")
<\/p>\nConserving God’s Creation<\/span><\/h2>\n
“God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:10<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA Brief History of the Church and Conservation<\/span><\/h2>\n
OLD TESTAMENT<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Psalms declared how the earth and heavens proclaim the glory of God<\/strong>: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEARLY CHURCH<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
In the 2nd century Church Father Saint Irenaeus defended God\u2019s creation<\/strong> \u2013 writing: \u201cFor even creation reveals Him who formed it\u2026the world manifests Him Who ordered it. The Universal Church, moreover, through the whole world, has received this understanding from the Apostles themselves.\u201d (Against Heresies, IX, 1)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMIDDLE AGES<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
St. Hildegard, one of only four women doctors of the church, writing in the 12th century developed an \u2018ecological theology\u2019 where she entwines physical reality with its spiritual animation. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEARLY MODERN<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u201cSaint John of the Cross [16th century] taught that all the goodness present in the realities and experiences of this world \u2018is present in God eminently and infinitely, or more properly, in each of these sublime realities is God\u2019.\u201d (Pope Francis, 234)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n20th CENTURY<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Pope Benedict XV, in 1921, recalled “the fundamental principle remain[s] that the universe, whatever be the order that sustains it in its parts, is the work of the creating and preserving sign of Omnipotent God”. (In Praeclara Summorum, 4)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConsistent Warnings<\/span><\/h2>\n
In 1970, Pope St. Paul VI warned how a \u201cprogressive deterioration<\/strong> [is creating]\u2026risks provoking a veritable ecological catastrophe\u201d. (Pope St. Paul VI, 3)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Church’s Deeper Understanding<\/span><\/h2>\n
Both our human environment and natural environment are threatened, and they are linked. “Our\u00a0duties towards the environment\u00a0are\u00a0linked\u00a0to our duties towards\u00a0the\u00a0human person<\/strong>“. (Pope Benedict XVI, 51)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nThe Church Has Solutions<\/span><\/h2>\n
Our “common home” needs a human ecology. \u201cI readily encourage efforts to promote a greater sense of ecological responsibility which\u2026would\u00a0safeguard an authentic \u2018human ecology\u2019…<\/strong> where one is trained in love of neighbor and respect for nature.\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI, 12)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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