Care for God’s Creation is one of the seven pillars of Catholic Social Teaching. This particular component calls us to be responsible stewards of the earth – our common home – from our individual actions to political advocacy for the benefit of present and future generations. In his encyclical, Laudato Si, Pope Francis drew on a variety of sources and words from previous popes to remind us of our moral and spiritual responsibilities for taking care of the environment. The environmental struggles of today are closely interwoven with the needs for social and economic justice in society locally and globally. Progress must be carefully weighed against the potential negative impact on vulnerable populations and on the earth.
Pope Francis said, “Whether believers or not, we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.” (no. 93)
The Department supports balanced measures to protect the environment without imposing undue burdens on the poor and nonprofits.