Land Ethic

“The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include
soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land.” — Aldo Leopold

A land ethic is one expression of our charism to study, contemplate, live, and proclaim Truth. Our land ethic provides a concrete way to live our Vision Statement:  to deepen our understanding of the mysteries of the universe and the sacredness of all creation, and to resist the ongoing devastation of our planet by a contemplative scrutiny of our use/abuse of Earth’s gifts. This includes the land, which encompasses soil, rock, air, water, plants, animals, and people.

Our contemplation of Truth impels us to see creation as the primary revelation of the Divine (Cf. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, 47.1). We understand ourselves as members of an interdependent, interconnected sacred community of life through which we contemplate the love and creativity of God.  As members of this sacred community, we are “invited to develop a spirituality of global solidarity which flows from the mystery of the Trinity” (Laudato Si, 240). The vitality of the land, water, air, and biotic community is essential to our spiritual and physical well being. Therefore, we acknowledge our responsibility to care for our “common home which God has entrusted to us” (Laudato Si, 232).

The land in Caldwell was first obtained to be a source of healing and good health. When the environmental conditions of the city were a source of sickness and ill health, land in Caldwell provided a place of recuperation and healthy living that served to enhance and support our mission. In addition, other land, including Genesis Farm, Lacordaire Academy, and Saint Dominic Academy, has sustained us in our ministry of preaching Truth and justice. In response we are called to be life-giving and creative participants in the ongoing life of Earth and its resources, especially in our own bioregion and on the land where we live.

We resolve to use these guidelines when decisions are made regarding the use of land:

• TO PRESERVE the integrity, sustainability, and beauty of the community of life on the land entrusted to us.
• TO SCRUTINIZE the ways in which we use and consume products and to consider options that are not harmful to the land, the inhabitants, and the bioregion.
• TO EVALUATE the present and future consequences of all decisions regarding the land in the context of our mission, vision statements, and land ethic.
• TO CONSIDER the interrelated justice issues for the community of life in our bioregion and watershed, while recognizing our concern for poor and marginalized people who are most vulnerable to ecological degradation.
• TO PROVIDE and PRESERVE beautiful, natural spaces for reflection and the support of a healthy biodiversity on the land entrusted to us, including the wetlands.