Rick Santorum: Why We Need Adult Catechesis on Social Justice and Stewardship

Rick Santorum, Catholic Republican candidate gets the pro-life part (well, at least the anti-abortion part).  That is undeniable - and why many Catholics lionize him. Well and good.   What he does not seem to understand, however,  is the social justice teachings of the Church, or the teachings on stewardship of the earth. His recent remarks on the latter lead me to think that either he was the victim of inadequate catechesis (very probable, given his age and what was going on with catechesis) or he was simply asleep when his catechists talked about these things. This is a good summary of what he said - and his explanation afterward.

In effect, he sees the earth as something here for humans to dominate for their own needs... and thinking about what that might do in terms of damage to animals or to future generations is something he does not consider important. By calling this "theology" he implies this is somehow biblical. Since he touts his Catholicism, it rubs off on the Church when he is wrong, because people hear him and think that's what it means to be Catholic.

I'm going to ignore the "phony theology" line, since that has already been much discussed.  But the explanation of  why he thinks President Obama is wrong about the environment is telling.  Santorum, frankly, needs to re-read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which not only talks about "dominion" over the earth, but about "respect for the integrity of Creation:"

2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.

Please, Mister Santorum. Read your Catechism before representing Catholic teaching. Go ask your pastor or your local director of religious education for a good summary of  Catholic teaching if you don't have time for the whole Catechism.  You are frankly an embarrassment to the Church when you mis-state theology to promote your agenda.