Responsible Stewardship

As stewards of creation, we are not owners or masters of the natural world. Creation is a gift to humanity which in turn takes responsibility for its health and well-being.

Materials

Videos:

Program Six: Responsible Stewardship

Website:

Visit the websites of people interviewed for this series

Documents:

Read the original documents for papal statements quotes in this program:

Benedict XVI, General Audience (August 26, 2009)
John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Common Declaration of John Paul II and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (June 10, 2002)
Francis, Message for the World Day of Peace (January 1, 2014)

Books:

Ten Commandments for the Environment
Benedict XVI. Ave Maria Press. 2009.

Study Guide

Goal

The goal of Program Six is to introduce to the fourth theme of the CCCB document “Building a New Culture – Central Themes in Recent Church Teaching on the Environment” about becoming stewards of creation.

Steps

1. Show the video "Program Six: Responsible Stewardship”

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

What is the fourth theme of the document and why is it important?
What is the Farmland Legacies Project and how is it helping the environment?
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.