A Moral Issue

Every decision about how humans relate to the environment is a moral decision and has long-term impact on the natural world
and all of its creatures who must live and thrive within it.

Materials

Videos:

Program Seven: A Moral Issue

Website:

Documents:

Study Guide

Goal

The goal of Program Seven is to introduce to the fifth theme of the CCCB document “Building a New Culture – Central Themes in Recent Church Teaching on the Environment” which describes care for the environment as a moral issue.

Steps

1. Show the video "Program Seven: A Moral Issue”

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

• What is the fifth theme of the document and why is it important?
  
• What is Apostolic Farming, according to the Madonna House Apostolate?
• 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.