- St. Therese of Lisieux
As stewards of the earth, we are responsible for the management and care of the land and resources which God has entrusted to us. Since the earth's resources have been created by God for the benefit of all, we are: to share the goods of the earth and to preserve and care for the earth.
This mandate is rooted in the Bible. In Genesis, the Jewish people were urged to "cultivate and care for God's creation."
More recently, the U.S. bishops, in their statement Renewing the Earth (November 14, 1991), urged people to care for God's creation: "Stewardship implies that we must both care for creation according to the standards that are not of our own making and at the same time be resourceful in finding ways to make the earth flourish." The Vatican has also listed environmental pollution among a list of seven social sins.
Dioceses across the United States are working to protect natural resources, reduce toxic emissions, conserve energy, and to encourage the cleanup of contaminated sites.
In Ireland, the government imposed a 15 cents tax per plastic bag to reduce its usage. In Korea, Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk of Seoul has asked Catholics to be more environmentally friendly. Groups such as the Catholic Conservation Center urge people to be "stewards of a healthier and happier world."
Whatever belongs to God belongs to all.
- Little Burgundy Book, Diocese of Saginaw