Chapter Two: Gospel of Creation

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91. Sense of deep communion with nature can’t be real if our hearts lack tenderness, compassion, concern for our fellow humans… Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.

92. Everything is related and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters.

- THE COMMON DESTINATION OF GOODS

93. The earth is essentially a shared inheritance wherein its contents are meant to benefit everyone. Therefore, ecological approaches need to incorporate a social perspective which considers the basic necessities and rights of the poor. Christian tradition stresses the social purpose of private property and has never recognized it as something inviolable. “God gave the earth to the whole human race for the sustenance of all its members without excluding or favoring anyone.” – Saint John Paul II. According to him, a development that did not respect and promote human rights (social, personal, economic, political, etc.) were not worthy of man. He explained that: while the Church indeed defends the legitimate right people have to private property, it clearly teaches that there is always a social mortgage so that goods may serve the general purpose God gave them.

94. Rich and poor have equal dignity, as we are all created by one and created in his image and likeness. Bishops of Paraguay pointed out that it should be guaranteed that every campesino possesses a natural right to have a reasonable land allotment in order to establish a home, work to sustain his family and a secure life. Therefore, rural people must also have access to not just ownership of property, but means of technical education, credit, insurance, and markets.

95. The natural environment is the heritage and responsibility of all humanity. If we are to make something, it is only for the good of all. Otherwise, we carry a burden in our consciences for having denied the existence of others. In contrary to this, New Zealand bishops have stated that: “twenty percent of the world’s population consumes resources at a rate that robs the poor nations and future generations of what they need to survive”

- THE GAZE OF JESUS

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97. Jesus was in constant touch with nature.

98. Jesus lived in full harmony with creation and wasn’t an ascetic set apart from the world, nor an enemy to pleasant things of life

99. Christian understanding of world is that the destiny of all creation is bound up with the mystery of Christ…. through incarnation, mystery of Christ is at work in a hidden manner in the natural world as a whole,

100. New Testament tells us of earthly Jesus, his tangible & loving relationship with world. The very flowers of the field and the birds which his human eyes planned and admired are now instilled with his radiant presence.