US video series on Catholic Social Teaching launches with 'Care For God's Creation'

A video on 'Care for God's Creation' is the first of a seven-part series on Catholic Social Teaching, designed to be an introduction to this body of thought with notable Catholics reflecting on each of the teachings. The video release comes in conjunction with Pope Francis' declaration of September 1 as a day of prayer for creation. The video series is co-sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

"We received the earth as a garden," says Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in the "Care for God's Creation" video. "It would be very unfair if we pass on the earth as a wilderness."

The videos will be released every three weeks in conjunction with notable events on the Church calendar, leading up to the kickoff of CRS' Lenten program CRS Rice Bowl on Ash Wednesday 2016. The series will comprise seven short videos, each highlighting one of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching as recognized by USCCB:

• Care for God's Creation
• Call to Family, Community, Participation
• Life and Dignity of the Human Person
• Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
• Solidarity
• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
• Rights and Responsibilities

"Catholic Social Teaching is at the core of why and how CRS performs its mission to serve the poorest of the poor and people in need at times of emergency," said Carolyn Woo, CEO and president of CRS. "These teachings are embedded in our identity as employees and servants of God."

"Care for each other and care for creation, what Pope Francis calls integral ecology, are at the heart of our witness as disciples of Jesus Christ. This series will help us put our faith into action," said Jonathan Reyes, executive director of USCCB's Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.

Cardinal Turkson, Woo and Fr James Martin, SJ, editor at large for America Magazine, all appear in "Care for God's Creation." The series will also feature: Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, archbishop of Manila and president of Caritas Internationalis; Jonathan Reyes; Lisa Hendey, founder of Catholicmom.com; Kerry Weber, managing editor, America Magazine; Helen M. Alvaré, JD professor of law, George Mason University; and Joan Rosenhauer, executive vice president of US Operations for CRS.

All videos will be posted on the CRS YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSnXuCxiHXE