Listen to the Cry of the Earth
and the Cry of the Poor
As the Holy Father pointed out, we Roman Catholics have a long and rich Biblical and magisterial tradition of “the Gospel of Creation.” Pastors and deacons could draw from this tradition in homilies, letters, parish bulletins, and blogs to help parishioners “realize that their responsibility within creation, and their duty towards nature and the Creator, are an essential part of their faith” [36]. Many of the writings of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, or “Respect for the integrity of creation” in The Catechism of the Catholic Church are helpful starting points for messages about the importance of respecting and valuing God’s gift of nature and the natural environment.