Creation Has Intrinsic Order

How God created the world with intelligibility and coherence; how humans are able to discern their special place and role within creation.

Materials

Videos:

Program Four: Creation Has Intrinsic Order

Website:

Documents:

Study Guide

Goal

The goal of Program Four is to introduce to the second theme of the CCCB document “Building a New Culture – Central Themes in Recent Church Teaching on the Environment” about human beings having a special place in creation, and that we're capable of discerning what our role is and what the purpose of creation is.

Steps

1. Show the video "Program Four: Creation Has Intrinsic Order”

2. Ask students to form small groups to describe the following impressions from the video:

• What is the second theme of the document and why is it important?
• Who is Joel Saladin and how does he say we should treat pigs?
• What did you know after viewing the video that you didn't know before?
• Which quote from what pope in this episode means the most to you and why?

3. Option for Take-Home Assignment. Using the internet links offered here, find more facts about:

• Existing Catholic eco justice initiatives
• The writings of Popes on the environment

4. Write 1.5 pages on the results of your research.

5. Group discussion

In groups, first share your short essays and then, asking one person to represent the discussion, make presentations to the class about any or all of the above.
Include suggestions on how students could start an ongoing eco justice project or become involved with local Catholic eco justice projects already in existence.