 |
 |  |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Essay 8: Eco-Spirituality in a Latin American Context |
- 4 -
important to awaken at this point a deep sense of gratitude and
appreciation of the natural world.
Theme 3 brings us to consider the damage caused by humankind to
the integrity of Creation, the disappearance of so many plant and
animal species, and a profound sorrow for any personal involvement
with damaging God’s world, and also a shared guilt for all the damage
to the environment that occurred in the past and occurs now, e.g.
Through area destruction and pollution of air, water, and soil.
We consider here some of the problems close to home, of
pollution and of deforestation, of garbage accumulation and excessive
consumerism among those who can least afford it. We try to bring in
some consideration for defenseless creatures people use and abuse.
Theme 4 is the essential part of this activity - it must bring about a
personal conviction that we cannot continue to be active and/or passive
participants in the destruction of the
Earth, a sort of “ecological conversion”
based on our responsibility to the Lord,
the Creator. This personal act must
involve repentance and the sincere
commitment to sin no more against
Nature.
The selections to guide towards this
“ecological conversion” may include
quotations from the Pastoral Letter of
the Dominican Bishops of 1987, also
from Rom. 8,20 and other texts that may
inspire us.
Theme 5 is the product of this conversion and determination to
collaborate with the Lord in the protection and restoration of Nature.
We must accept the responsibility on a personal level and establish a
link between God-directed wisdom to carry out His work.
Psalm 104,30 etc. may inspire us to consider some matters to
prepare us for a wiser use of natural resources, the true gifts of the
Earth. We may also consider our role in terms of the document of
Vatican II called Gaudium et Spes, 35. We may orient towards
developing solidarity with the Earth and its creatures.