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Jesuits publish special report on ecology

CWN - September 22, 2011

The Society of Jesus--the Church’s largest male religious institute, with 18,516 members--has issued a special report on ecology.

“Our commitment to follow Jesus Christ in poverty, the seriousness of the ecological crisis and the cry of the poor who suffer the consequences of environmental degradation calls us all to stop and reflect,” states the report, which was published by the Society’s social justice and ecology secretariat. “Jesuits, members of the Ignatian family, and those responsible for our apostolic institutions are all invited to reflect seriously on the way in which our functional values driving our everyday decisions and actions remain consumerist at the core.”

“Creation‘s groans, growing louder and louder as nature is destroyed, challenge us to adopt simpler lifestyles,” the report continues. “In the fulfilment of this task we are inspired by many people worldwide who want to create a new world based on a just relationship with creation. We need a deep change of heart. This is the only radical way to face the present ecological challenge. We must, therefore, renew the sources of our Ignatian spirituality, a spirituality that invites us to acknowledge, give thanks and commit ourselves to the life present in creation.”

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  • Posted by: voxfem - Sep. 22, 2011 11:15 PM ET USA

    A just relationship with creation? How about we start with a just relationship with God and each other?

  • Posted by: Defender - Sep. 22, 2011 7:22 PM ET USA

    I can easily think of other, more pertinent "reports" that the Jesuits could and should publish. How about something similar to: Dominus ac Redemptor Noster?

  • Posted by: Lucius49 - Sep. 22, 2011 6:26 PM ET USA

    A sad commentary on the state of the Society. You can understand the title of an Ignatius Press book: "When Jesuits Were Giants." Note the past tense.

  • Posted by: normnuke - Sep. 22, 2011 5:33 PM ET USA

    “Creation‘s groans, growing louder and louder as nature is destroyed, challenge us to adopt simpler lifestyles,” the report continues.Actually, what it challenges is for us to get over 18th romanticism and reflect that we are rising on the 3rd CENTENNIAL of Rousseau's birth.Noble Savages on wellfare use advanced technology to burn down our cities.

  • Posted by: adamah - Sep. 22, 2011 3:12 PM ET USA

    A pagan couldn't have said it better.

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