Catholics, Jews share biblical view on environment, commission says

(January 21, 2010) Jews and Catholics believe that in order to be ethically legitimate any action that has an affect on the earth, on animals and especially on human life must recognize that God is the creator of all, said members of an important dialogue. Members of the dialogue commission sponsored by the Vatican and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel met at the Vatican January 17-20 to discuss Catholic and Jewish teaching on creation and on the environment. In a statement issued at the end of the meeting, the commission said there is a tension between "secular environmentalist movements and religious perspectives" on ecology, because Christians and Jews follow biblical teaching that gives human beings a special place and a special responsibility for the rest of creation. They said the Bible "views nature as being endowed with sanctity that flows from the Creator," but it also asserts that God made human beings "the summit of his inherently good creation" and gave them stewardship over the earth. In order to intervene ethically in the natural order, they said, people must recognize the limits of "the power of science and its claim to absoluteness," and act in a way that expresses solidarity with present and future generations. The dialogue members said scientists and governments should seek ethical guidance from religious leaders before taking any action that would change nature. Science, technology and political action are all necessary to reverse the situation, but it also is essential that people learn to act with "self-restraint, humility and discipline," the statement said.