ECOLOGY VIS-À-VIS HUMAN ECOLOGY

Authors

  • Lijo Porathur DVK

Keywords:

Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, Creation, Ecology, Human Ecology, Integral Human Development, Nature

Abstract

Ecology is one of the important concerns of this age. Pope Benedict XVI who is often called ‘the Green Pope’ was the voice of Church in this concern. Through his encyclicals, messages and talks Pope Benedict XVI dwelt on the problem of human responsibility towards nature. The ecology of Pope Benedict XVI, which is rooted in the biblical vision of nature, proclaims that the earth is a gift of God to human beings, a home to live in, with a responsible stewardship. He stands for a human-centred ecological view. For him natural ecology is important, but human ecology is first. The book of ‘nature’ is one and indivisible: it takes in not only the environment but also life, sexuality, marriage, the family, social relations: in a word, integral human development. When ‘human ecology’ is respected within the society, environmental ecology also benefits. This article sheds light on the two key concepts that the humankind is greater than nature and nature is not a raw material to be manipulated. Human beings and nature are interdependent; the weakening of one, places other at risk.

Author Biography

Lijo Porathur, DVK

Fr Liju Porathur CMI is a research student at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, doing Licentiate in Systematic Theology. 

References

Kurian Kunnumpuram, “Ecology: Issues, Problems, Perspectives,” in Ecological Crisis: An Indian Christian Response, ed. Joseph Mattam, Bangalore: National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre, 1998, 13-15.

Pope John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, Vatican: Vatican Publishing House, 1987, no. 34.

Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate..

Jacob Parappilly, ed., Theologizing in Context: Statements of the Indian Theological Association, Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 2002, 252- 257.

Francis Britto, “Ecology and Spirituality,” Divyadaan, no. 17 (2006): 151-162.

Pope John Paul II, “Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all of Creation,” Message for World Day of Peace, January, 1990.

Pope John Paul II, Centesimus Annus..

Scharper and Weigert, “An Invitation to Inclusive Ecological Reflection,” in Catholic Social Thought: American Reflections on the Compendium, Antony J. Blasi and Paul D. Sullins, eds., Plymouth: Lexington Books, 2009, 127-142.

Pope Francis, Message during Weekly Audience on 21 May, 2014.

Pope Benedict XVI, The Garden of God, 104.

Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the 2008 World Day of Peace, no. 7.

Catechism of Catholic Church, Washington: United States Catholic Conference, 1994, 198.

Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the 2010 World Day of Peace, no. 2.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Washington: United States Catholic Conference, 1994.

Juliette Jowit, “World is Facing a Natural Resources Crisis Worse than Financial Crunch,” <http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/oct/29/climatechangeendangeredhabitats> (10 December 2014).

Pope Paul VI, “A Hospitable Church for Future Generation,” Message to the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment, 01 June 1972.

Errol D’Lima, “Ecological Concerns and Jesus’ Vision of a New Society: Making Space for All,” in Ecological Crisis: An Indian Christian Response, Joseph Mattam, ed., Bangalore: National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre, 1998, 112-124.

Pope Benedict XVI, Message for the World Food Day, 12 October 2005.

Pope Benedict XVI, The Garden of God: Towards a Human Ecology, Washington: The Catholic University of America Press, 2012, 193-195.

Pope John Paul II, The Rapid Development.

Pope Benedict XVI, Message for 41st World Communication Day, 20 May 2007, no.2.

Pope Benedict XVI, Address to Students of Sports Arena of St Mary’s University College, Twickenham, Friday, 17 September 2010.

Thomas Kocherry, “Ecology Ethics and Social Justice,” in Ecological Crisis: An Indian Christian Response, Joseph Mattam, ed., Bangalore: National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre, 1998, 84-91.

Richard C. Cook, “Charity in Truth: Pope Benedict XVI on Economics,” Global Research Newsletter, August 26, 2009.

Norman Wirzba, The Paradise of God: Indwelling Religion in an Ecological Age, Oxford: University Press, 2003, 70-74.

Pope Paul VI, Octogesima Adveniens.

Pope John Paul II, Laborem Exercens.

Pope Francis, Message during Weekly Audience on 21 May, 2014.

Published

2014-12-29

How to Cite

Porathur, L. (2014). ECOLOGY VIS-À-VIS HUMAN ECOLOGY. Journal of Dharma, 39(4), 405–422. Retrieved from https://dvkjournals.in/index.php/jd/article/view/361