Environment
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)
God has given the earth to us to enjoy and cherish, so care for God’s creation is a vital part of Christian belief. The way we live and the choices we make affect the lives of others: not only human life but also other forms of life found on earth.
As Christians, we recognise that the earth is the gift of a loving Creator and care for the environment is fundamental to the universal 'common' good. A way of life that disregards and damages God's creation, forces the poor into greater poverty, and threatens the right of future generations to a healthy environment and to their fair share of the earth's wealth and resources, is contrary to the vision of the Gospel.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales adds its voice to the many calling for urgent action to protect our earthly home.
Sound of Many Waters
Sound of Many Waters was a year-long exploration of our need to care for the environment. The celebrations, organised by the Diocese of Clifton in the West of England, drew on Catholic teachings, insights and networks.
Visit the Sound of Many Waters site
The Church and the environment
At the Bishops' Autumn 2008 meeting, two climate change experts spoke to the Bishops of England and Wales about the realities of global warming. In this video, the Rt Rev Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton, discusses the Church's concern for the environment. With contributions from Mary Colwell - the filmmaker and inspiration behind the Sound of Many Waters and Professor David Rafaelli - an expert on biodiversity from the University of York.
The Call of Creation
In 2002, the Bishops of England and Wales released a document on the natural environment and Catholic social teaching. It was called The Call of Creation: God's invitation and the Human Reponse.
The bishops called for urgent action to protect our earthly home from further destruction.
"A way of life that disregards and damages God's creation, forces the poor into greater poverty, and threatens the right of future generations to a healthy environment and to their fair share of the earth's wealth and resources, is contrary to the vision of the Gospel."
Introduction, The Call of Creation
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Between the Flood and the Rainbow
Between the Flood and the Rainbow: Climate Change and the Church's Social Teaching is a study guide on climate change based on key themes of Catholic Social Teaching. It's intended for study and reflection in parishes and beyond. The guide contains agendas for six meetings with accompanying appendices, reflection and action sheets, reading sheets, plus a prayers and liturgies section.
“I welcome these study materials from Operation Noah. They are a practical and stimulating way in which to help deepen our appreciation of the environment and understand the challenges arising from climate change. The world of nature is a gift from God and a primary way in which God invites us to share in God’s life and become more truly human. God saw what he had made and found it good.”
Bishop Declan Lang
Episcopal Liaison for Environmental Justice
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Downloads
With thanks to Operation Noah. Operation Noah was founded in 2001 by Christian Ecology Link (CEL) and later became a joint project of of CEL and the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.