| A Grave Moral Obligation | | | | reform but we should take action to bring it about in |
| As tenants and custodians of the world we have a | | | | whatever small way is within our immediate control. |
| responsibility to care for the environment especially | | | | Many of our daily activities involve chemicals that |
| when that environment directly affects our health. A | | | | directly affect not just our overall environment but also |
| quick glance at our world will show that we have | | | | our personal health in adverse ways. What is surprising |
| caused it to slide even from its fallen state. Much of | | | | to find out is that using these chemicals that cause |
| the damage done to the Lord's vineyard has come out | | | | cancer and other serious health problems is completely |
| of the abuse of the earth's resources. Pope John Paul | | | | voluntary and that there are alternatives that are |
| II taught us this in no uncertain terms and offered us a | | | | effective, affordable and convenient. Choosing to |
| plan of action to undo what can be undone, "Economic | | | | make responsible use of the earth's resources in our |
| activity carries with it the obligation to use the goods of | | | | own little corner of the world may seem small but their |
| nature reasonably. But it also involves the grave moral | | | | collective use by an increasing number of people is |
| obligation both to repair damage already inflicted on | | | | having an impact on our world. |
| nature and to prevent any negative effects, which | | | | One of the many families that have taken to heart |
| may later arise… especially in regard to toxic | | | | John Paul's challenge to prevent and repair is the |
| residue." This, he said is "the responsibility of everyone," | | | | Bartel family. When the Bartel family discovered |
| and then continued, "I should like to address directly my | | | | alternative products they switched out their entire |
| brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church, in order to | | | | house and even brought them to work. "Every time I |
| remind them of their serious obligation to care for all of | | | | use these products, I am reminded that I am making a |
| creation." Our responsibility to ensure the basic right for | | | | difference in the world in some small way and that it is |
| wellness through a healthy environment is a now a | | | | pleasing to God," explains Becca Bartel. This is right on |
| matter of repair and prevention, and the matter is a | | | | track with how the Church and pope John Paul II view |
| grave one. Certainly this responsibility is secondary to | | | | all material goods, "as God's gifts to us. They are |
| the threat against life as evidenced in issues like | | | | meant to bring out in each one of us the image of |
| abortion and euthanasia, yet if we can do something to | | | | God." As simple as it may be this is no small message |
| repair and prevent the ravages of toxic chemicals we | | | | that is entrusted to each individual family. Again pope |
| should do it. Otherwise by our indifference we cause | | | | John Paul II explains, "An education in ecological |
| the suffering of others as well as ourselves. | | | | responsibility is urgent… The first educator, |
| Taking It Personally - Lifestyle Change | | | | however, is the family, where the child learns to |
| What can the average person do to repair the | | | | respect his neighbor and to love nature." This can be |
| poisoned environment when the scale of it is so | | | | one of those great daily opportunities to teach our |
| grand? John Paul II gives us this direction, "Modern | | | | children about our faith because; by example we are |
| society will find no solution to the ecological problem | | | | showing them love of neighbor and God through the |
| unless it takes a serious look at its lifestyle." We should | | | | world he created. |
| not be content with merely voting for environmental | | | | |