During this week's general audience, Benedict XVI revisited the topic of ecology and human life, something he detailed in his recent encyclical:
“Creation, structured in an intelligent manner by God, is entrusted therefore to man, who is in a
position to interpret it and actively remodel it without considering himself the absolute patron of it,” the Pope expounded. “Man is called, above all, to exercise responsible governance of it, cultivating it and finding necessary resources for a dignified existence of all.”
Don't gloss over this - he raises a couple important points.
"Creation, structured in an intelligent manner by God..." You can't get to environmental stewardship through a secularized view of random evolution.
"entrusted...interpret...remodel" Our gift from God is not just the planet, but being made in the likeness of God. We have the power and the right as God's children to study and creatively refashion it.
We are never earth's "absolute patron" but we do exercise governance and an ability to cultivate the earth so it becomes fruitful. God's desire is that this fruitfulness will extend to all people.
What a cool photo of the Pope! Nice to see him smiling, for a change. Random evolution or intelligent creation. Hmmm. Let me see.... I'll take intelligent creation for $50, Don. :-D