I enjoyed the simplicity of this statement very much. First, the point about population increase is very well put. As I look around my home area of Wisconsin and see the family farms being split into tiny subdivisions in the country, I am saddened. What are we doing to these wonderful natural areas of farmland, woodland, marshes, and swamps? What is happening to the streams and lakes in the area? At the same time, the chemicals being put into the ground to care for farmland, lawn care, and pest control is wreaking havoc on drinking water for humans and animals. This does not even take into account all of the medications that go through our systems and eventually into the wild in many places. This pertains to the other main point that I claim from this document. That we are entrusted, not to destroy creation, but to care for it so that future generations may live off of it. This is important for me personally as well. As a father of three children and caretaker of beautiful land in Wisconsin, I am very mindful of how I am called and how I wish to improve and care for this land. I am called to protect the soil, water, trees, grasses, and animal populations that live on this farm. It is my duty as a human to study what is best for the land, animals, and humans to live on this land. It is my duty to enhance the living situation for all of these creations as well. And it is my duty to seek advice from professionals on wildlife and search out my own faith as a means to care for what has been entrusted to my family. This document says that as a part of God’s creation, caring for it is a way of life. We are called to teach others how to do this, but to work together to find the best ways to practice earth care. What a fantastic and simple document.
Reaction to International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee Social Statement
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