Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace

Consistent with longstanding Judeo-Christian concepts of stewardship and the integrity of creation, the church, at its highest levels, has taken a view that it is the responsibility of the Church, and all Christians, to protect nature. As the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2004 287) wrote, The Magisterium underscores human responsibility for the preservation of a sound and healthy environment for all. This has given rise to the church s immediate objection to mining its potential to inflict environmental degradation. 

The church, at its highest levels, has made the protection of indigenous peoples, and their cultures, a high priority (Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 2004). In both Guatemala, and the Philippines, the church has objected to mining because of the threat it poses to the cultures of the indigenous inhabitants of both countries. 

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. (2004). Compendium of the social doctrine of the church. Vatican City Vatican Publishing House. 

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