World Environment Day invites us to pause and consider our relationship with the Earth — not just as a planet we live on, but as a sacred gift from God. We know as Catholics that caring for creation is not just an environmental concern — it’s a spiritual and moral one.
Catholic Social Teaching has long affirmed the dignity of every person and the responsibility we share to protect both human life and the natural world. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis speaks clearly: the health of the Earth and the well-being of the poor are deeply connected. Environmental destruction doesn’t affect everyone equally. Often, it’s the poorest communities — those least responsible for the damage — who bear the greatest burden.
Creation care isn’t a political stance. It’s an act of faith. When we care for forests, waterways, and the climate, we are also caring for families who depend on clean air, safe drinking water, and a stable climate to live with dignity. We are living out our call to love our neighbor, especially those who are struggling.
On this World Environment Day, we’re reminded that creation is not ours to dominate — it’s ours to steward. It’s a gift, passed from generation to generation. Let’s take this moment to renew our commitment to protect it, not only for ourselves but for the sake of those who are most vulnerable and for the generations yet to come.
