In recent years, much has been discussed in the world and in the Catholic Church about humanity's role in caring for the environment. It is something we can no longer neglect, as our technology and consumerist culture seek to dominate the world and its resources.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church connects our care of creation to the 7th commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
All of creation is interconnected, and so our treatment of nature is inevitably linked to our treatment of human beings.
Furthermore, this commandment directs our treatment of animals.
Yet, at the same time, the Church teaches against loving animals more than humans.
We have been given a weighty task as humans, being stewards of God's beautiful creation. It is up to us to preserve it, but always keeping the human person in mind, knowing that our care of the environment is for our own sake and for future generations.
