Dear organizers and beloved participants,

It is with particular joy that we welcome the opportunity to offer this brief message of paternal greetings and fervent wishes to the committees and participants of the 2005 Youth Environmental Summit of Caretakers of the Environment International.

For some time now, we have followed with great interest the unique initiatives of Caretakers International and recognize the significance – in fact, we could say, the sacredness – of their educational projects with young men and women throughout the world in an effort to preserve the natural creation and promote greater cooperation among the various sectors of the community for the protection of our planet.
 

This year, your summit will be held in the beautiful surroundings of Willamette University within the region of Salem, Oregon. The theme of your deliberations and challenges has been wisely defined: “Forging New Partnerships with the Economic Community.”

It is critically important for all of us to realize – and to do so from as tender an age as possible – that only by fostering open dialogue and sincere collaboration will we also be able to awaken people’s conscience with regard to what we are doing to God’s world. Whether your teams will discuss such issues as the reduction of solid waste, the practice of recycling, the improvement of water quality, the conservation and development of alternative forms of energy, or the preservation of endangered species, we know today that we cannot be successful unless we work together with one another and unless we involve businesses and the economic community.

The terms “ecology” and “economy” share the same etymological root. Their common prefix “eco” derives from the Greek word oikos, which signifies “home” or “dwelling.” How unfortunate and indeed how selfish it is, however, that we have restricted the application of this word to ourselves. This world is indeed our home. Yet it is also the home of everyone, as it is the home of every animal creature, as well as of every form of life created by God. It is a sign of arrogance to presume that we human beings alone inhabit this world. Indeed, it is also a sign of arrogance to imagine that only the present generation inhabits this earth.

Ecology, then, is the logos or study of this world as our home; while economy is the nomos or regulation, namely the stewardship of our world as our home. How we understand creation will also determine how we treat the natural environment. Will we continue to use it in inappropriate and unsustainable ways? Or will we treat it as our home? And as the home of all living creatures? Will we, to adopt the words of the Psalmist, remember that “everything that breathes praises God” (Psalm 148)?

We believe in you – in the younger generation that has learned how to respect God’s creation for itself, for the protection of the environment, for the enjoyment of future generation, and for the glory of God. May the grace of God inspire and guide you as you work in your teams in order to meet the challenges of your projects during this Summit.

We are with you in spirit and in prayer. God bless you all.