| Summary: | 碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 宗教學系碩士在職專班 === 105 === In 1967 the historian, Lynn White Jr. (1907-1987), published a paper entitled “The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis”, in which he alleged that Christianity was the root of the environmental problem and said that, historically, Judeo-Christian beliefs had contributed to the environmental problem. He deemed that values arising from this religious background had led mankind to destroy the natural environment.
While it is important to understand the causes, it is even more important to ask how, at a time when the issue is becoming more serious every day, the Church can lead us to love the environment through the power of religion. In the wake of Vatican II, (1962-1965) the Catholic Church has been concerned with environmental issues. Many Popes have appealed to people for solidarity, care for the earth and care for the poor through their encyclicals and messages. At the same time Taiwan’s economy developed. The life of many Taiwanese was improved but the change of lifestyle also produced an unforeseen problem of garbage.
Bernhard Cheng Tao-Hsueh (1927-2003) established a “Miraculous Working Team” (Shenqi gongzuodui) to teach students how to sort the trash at Sacred Hearts High School, Douliu, in 1972. When he worked at Caritas Taiwan in 1985, Cheng demonstrated recycling at the Mid-Autumn Festival in the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. He called this “a Care that brings Blessings Plan” (Xifu jihua). Henceforth he promoted the concept of environmental protection in schools, churches and institutions. He cared for the weak and for the environment. He lived according to the spirit of the Gospel throughout his entire life. He knew the needs of our generation like a prophet. His efforts have silently and profoundly influenced the Catholic Church.
This thesis explores Catholic environmental literature and the environmental practice of the Catholic Church in Taiwan including a study of Bernhard Cheng. It undertakes an analysis of the literature and historical research to explore the environmental thought of the Catholic Church. Finally it employs in-depth semi-structured interviews to review the environmental activities of Bernhard Cheng.
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