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February 27, 2024
Bishop Edward Weisenburger conducted a survey of Catholic parishes, schools, service organizations, and religious communities across the Diocese of Tucson. His question was: how does the Diocese of Tucson care for God’s creation?
Care for Creation was defined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a core pillar of Catholic Social Teaching, “We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.”
Forty-seven Catholic organizations shared what sustainability measures they are currently doing and what they plan to implement in the near future. Sustainability was described as “a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members, and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, planning, and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals for future generations” (Wordnik).
Among the top sustainability practices were recycling and LED lighting. Twenty-five percent of respondents have installed solar panels, 32% use Energy Star appliances and multi-paned windows, and 21% use aerated water faucets. Thirteen percent indicated that they have rainwater harvesting systems in place to collect rainfall from their roofs and redirect it to landscaping or rainwater gardens. These practical measures reduce energy and water consumption, saving the organization money in the long run and conserving natural resources for future use.
Several organizations have also incorporated creation-themed prayers and events, including 21% that have a Care for Creation Team dedicated to bringing about a more sustainable culture. Two religious orders shared that they have planted their own Saint Kateri Gardens to connect God, people, and the natural desert habitat.
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