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Fly In Focus: Father Michael Beers
(See also lead story Providing the Swing Vote : Alliance for America)
Father Beers (right) enjoys a laugh as Fly In Organizing Committee member "Bishop" Brian Bishop, of Rhode Island Wise Use, becomes |
THE FLY IN ALWAYS OFFERS an array of wonderful speakers. This year, one who stood out from the pack was Father J. Michael Beers, Professor of Dogma at Pontifical College Josephinum. Father Beers brought Alliance for America members information on the newly established Interfaith Council for Environmental Stewardship (ICES), which states in its Cornwall Declaration on Environmental Stewardship that:
"The past millennium brought unprecedented improvements in human health, nutrition, and life expectancy, especially among those most blessed by political and economic liberty and advances in science and technology. At the dawn of a new millennium, the opportunity exists to build on these advances and to extend them to more of the earth's people. ... As concerns about the environment have grown in recent decades, the moral necessity of ecological stewardship has become increasingly clear. |
| "At the same time, however, certain misconceptions about nature and science, coupled with erroneous theological and anthropological positions, impede the advancement of a sound environmental ethic. In the midst of controversy over such matters, it is critically important to remember that while passion may energize environmental activism, it is reason - including sound theology and sound science–that must guide the decision-making process. ... Many people mistakenly view humans as principally consumers and polluters rather than producers and stewards. Consequently, they ignore our potential, as bearers of God's image, to add to the earth's abundance. ...
"Many people believe that 'nature knows best,' or that the earth - untouched by human hands - is the ideal. Such romanticism leads some to deify nature or oppose human dominion over creation. Our position, informed by revelation and confirmed by reason and experience, views human stewardship that unlocks the potential in creation for all the earth's inhabitants as good. Humanity alone of all the created order is capable of developing other resources and can thus enrich creation, so it can properly be said that the human person is the most valuable resource on earth. ... The alternative - denying the possibility of beneficial human management of the earth - removes all rationale for environmental stewardship. ... "We aspire to a world in which advancements in agriculture, industry, and commerce not only minimize pollution and transform most waste products into efficiently used resources but also improve the material conditions of life for people everywhere." |
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See also:
Animal Rights and Catholicism By Dr. James Beers, biologist (retired), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Outside link. (January 2001)
For further information contact: ICES, Post Office Box 96065, Washington, DC 20090-6065; Tel.: 202-628-0777; www.stewards.net; info@stewards.net