Q. Can Catholics be environmentalists?
A. Certainly, and they should be. The Scriptures are full of references where God calls us to be good stewards of the earth. Some of the most notable passages are: Genesis 1:26, 28, Genesis 2:15, Deuteronomy 11:12, Proverbs 12:10, Psalm 24:1 and Jeremiah 2:7. In addition, there are dozens of other passages where God calls upon His people to take care of the earth and everything on it and in it.
God gave us the earth to use wisely and prudently. Plants and animals, which are renewable resources, are for us to use and enjoy for food, clothing and a variety of other uses.
When people hear the word “environmentalist” they sometimes think of a tree-hugging reactionary activist. Rather, I see an environmentalist being the best embodiment of a good steward who tills the land carefully, always leaving it better than when he or she found it.
The Catholic Church has been at the forefront of conservation practices such as sustainable farming, using practices such as crop rotation, all-natural feeding of livestock, terracing, planting of windbreaks, etc. Priest-scientists have been on the cutting edge of plant development, drought mitigation and sustainable farming practices for centuries.
Recent popes have spoken about the need to care for the earth. Most notably have been Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate in 2009 and Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si issued March 24, 2015 in which the Holy Father called the earth our common home.
The National Catholic Rural Life Office has been pioneering in such areas of conservation, innovation and preservation. I know of many, many farmers, ranchers and hobbyists who are great Catholic stewards and environmentalists. They would not think of polluting or doing injury to the soil and groundwater or waste anything. Farmers and ranchers are the best environmentalists I know.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
