"Catholic" Environmental Book?

[sheila0405]

I received a book in the mail yesterday from an organization called “Action Institute”. The book title is Environmental Stewardship in the Judeo-Christian Tradition. I have a few issues with this: first of all, I did not solicit this book. I don’t know how or why I was targeted. Secondly, the forward is written by a priest, Fr Robert Sirico. This gives the appearance that the book is Catholic. A letter accompanying this book quoted the Holy Father on the environment. This further strengthened the attempt to portray this as a Catholic publication. However, the book has no Nihil Obstat or Imprimatur. This third issue bothered me most of all. On the front cover of the book is written “Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant Wisdom on the Environment”. Why in the world would a priest spend time and resources promoting a book supposedly aimed at Catholics, but which relies on non Catholic teachings? Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone know about this organization?

 

[Genesis315]

I don’t really know anything about the book or organization, but Jews, Protestants, and Catholics should have common ground on this issue since all believe the words of Gensis to be inspired. Since the first task of Adam and Eve, even before the fall, was to be the stewards of creation, it follows that we still have a duty not to take care of creation, use it responsibly, and not abuse it. Common defense of the natural law even with people of non-Catholic religions is an acceptable task.

It seems from the title that the book probably explains the common ground

 

[sheila0405]

I don’t really know anything about the book or organization, but Jews, Protestants, and Catholics should have common ground on this issue since all believe the words of Gensis to be inspired.

It seems from the title that the book probably explains the common ground

That would be fine, but it was presented as a Catholic book. It isn’t. Even though both Protestants and Catholics believe the Bible is inspired, the definition of “Bible” is different. The Protestants only have 66 books. And, of course, the Jewish people only have the OT. My problem isn’t so much with the purpose or content of the book, but its promotion as a Catholic publication.

 

[JonW]

It is called the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, not the “Action Institute”. Secondly, it nowhere claims to be a “Catholic book”. It does not pretend to be something it is not. I received the same thing in the mail today. The book is the hard copy printed version of the Cornwall Declaration, which is a series of articles written by representatives from the Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic faiths, born from the Judeo-Christian Tradition. It is Biblical in foundation. It has been very interesting so far. I would also highly recommend the DVD that came in the package along with the book. It is only abvout 20 minutes in length and very clearly demonstates that the environmentalism/global warming issue is not as simple as “minimize CO2 emissions”. I learned a good deal from that alone. Take a closer look.

God Bless

Jon Winterburn

 

[sheila0405]

It is called the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty, not the “Action Institute”. Secondly, it nowhere claims to be a “Catholic book”. It does not pretend to be something it is not.
God Bless

Jon Winterburn

Sorry but the letter which came with the book definitely makes it seem like a Catholic book. And, Action Institute is what was written on the book. You missed my point. The book itself is not the issue. It is how it was presented that annoyed me. But thanks for the feedback.

 

[tpw]

A very good resource on the church’s position on environmental issues is:

“And God Saw That It Was Good: Catholic Theology on the Environment” edited by Drew Christiansen SJ and Walt Frazier of the US Catholic Convference, 1996.

Popes since Paul VI have increasingly expressed grave concern about the environment with both JPII and Benedict giving more and more articulate and urgent visions of a Catholic environmental position.

You may also want to check out the National Catholic Rural Life Conference website which also contains excellent resources.
:clapping::clapping:

 

[mini_me640]

Sorry but the letter which came with the book definitely makes it seem like a Catholic book. And, Action Institute is what was written on the book. You missed my point. The book itself is not the issue. It is how it was presented that annoyed me. But thanks for the feedback.

What was in the letter that made it seem like a Catholic book?