St. Joseph Church
Bristol, Connecticut

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti
Pastoral Minister

Environmental Justice

"In our day," The Holy Father noted in his World Day of Peace statement in 1990, "there is a growing awareness that world peace is threatened not only by the arms race, regional conflicts, and continued injustices among peoples and nations, but also by a lack of due respect for nature, by the plundering of natural resources and by a progressive decline in the quality of life."

As believers, we cannot ignore this trend. In the biblical tradition, the earth is a gift to all creatures, with humans called in special way to "cultivate and care for it" (Gn. 2:15). As we prepare to celebrate the jubilee year 2000, we recall that for the ancient Israelites, the jubilee was a time to "let the land lay fallow" as a sabbath for the land and so that all—landowner, slaves, tenants, even animals—could equally share what is naturally produced (Lv 25).

The U.S. Catholic bishops have looked at who is and is not sharing in the bounty of creation today and note that often, "it is the poor and the powerless who most directly bear the burden of current environmental carelessness" (Renewing the Earth, p.2). They call on Catholics in the United States to "join with us in a continuing effort to understand and act on the moral and ethical dimensions of the environmental crisis" (Renewing the Earth, p.9)

Pray for God’s creation and for wisdom on the part of all people in caring for the earth.

Learn about Catholic teaching on environmental issues and about the U.S. bishops’ Environmental Justice Program ( 202-541-3160; www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp/ejp ).

Reach out to those most affected by ecological problems: the poor and powerless. Often, low-income communities have the greatest incidence of lead poisoning and are sites of abandoned industrial plants, landfills, and other environmental threats. Contact parishes in low-income communities, your diocesan social action office, or local environmental groups to explore environmental justice issues in your community.

Live in ways that protect and preserve the environment. For example, save energy, cut down on waste, and recycle at work and at home.

Serve those who are affected by environmental justice issues. For example, establish a lead paint screening program or start a community garden is a desolate part of your community.

Give generously to programs that work to protect the environment, especially those that protect the poor and powerless from environmental threats.

Advocate public policies that protect and preserve the environment and its natural resources and that promote and equitable us the world’s goods.

Encourage others in your parish, especially young people, to develop an attitude of respect for God’ creation and a desire to take action.

From the Jubilee Justice Kit of the U.S. Catholic bishops.
Prepared by
Deacon Robert M, Pallotti, D.Min.
Pastoral Minister
St. Joseph Church
Bristol, Ct.

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
Created 7/6/2000