VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — A lengthy document published by the International Theological Commission entitled “Caring for our Common Home – A Responsible and Fraternal Response to the Triune God” refers to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as an “ecological school.”
In the September 2 document focusing on the environment, “ecological conversion,” and so-called “climate change,” the Theological Commission devoted an entire paragraph (Chapter 2, section 108) to describing the Mass and the Holy Eucharist as an “ecological school.” While this paragraph acknowledges that the Mass is meant to offer glory to God, it appears to diminish the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament as a means of “caring for creation.”
“From the Eucharist flows a spirituality capable of supporting and encouraging the ecological conversion that we so urgently need to undertake as a human family,” the document said. “In it, we recognize God’s gifts in nature. Our intellect opens itself to the transparency of God in creation.”
While the faithful can offer prayers for the good of the environment, the purpose of the Mass is not for our “ecological conversion.”
On the contrary, the Catholic Church teaches that the purpose of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is to adore God, offer thanksgiving for the many graces we have received from Him, imploring His graces for ourselves and others, and to atone for the sins we have committed against Him.
“In the Eucharist, as a community of brothers and sisters, we recognize the purpose of creation and of history: to give glory to God through the offering—transfigured by his Spirit—of the gifts we have received from him, uniting ourselves to the self-giving life of the Lord Jesus,” the document continues.
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“For this reason, the Eucharist speaks to us of the transformation necessary to overcome sin; of the responsibility that comes with the gift of salvation, to bring the created world and humanity to their eschatological fulfillment; it teaches us to properly value all of creation; it shows us our personal place within the cosmos,” it adds.
Here, while the true purpose of the Mass is vaguely affirmed, the Theological Commission is framing the unbloody renewal of the Sacrifice at Calvary to serve God’s creation rather than to offer our prayers to Almighty God.
Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly emphasized environmental concerns, authorizing the “Mass for the Care of Creation” within months of his election.
During the inaugural “Care of Creation” Mass, Leo claimed that the “world is burning” and highlighted an alleged need for “conversion” among those who do not yet prioritize “the urgency of caring for our common home.” This week, he opened the second “Season of Creation” of his pontificate by celebrating another “Care of Creation” Mass.
READ: Pope Leo XIV warns ‘world is burning’ from ‘global warming’ at first ‘Care of Creation’ Mass