The dissertation is devoted to the research of the influence of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church in the preservation of the environment, through the formation of ecological consciousness and practical measures.
It is noted that summarizing the specifics of the socio-ecological doctrine of Catholicism in its source expression and historiosophical objectification, it should be noted that despite the presence of a wide range of sources, researchers have no common view on the genesis and structural and functional nature of socio-ecological doctrine. Scientists and its axiological potential are assessed differently. This is primarily due to the fact that each researcher proceeded from certain methodological preferences, which did not always take into account the achievements of Western theological thought, as well as ignoring an important principle of religious studies - non-confessional.
Thus, sin is the commission of evil, its concrete embodiment. And in the ecological dimension - ecological sin - the negative (destructive) impact of man on the natural environment as God's creation, carried out by every thought, word or action by which man consciously and voluntarily contradicts God's will, does not recognize the goodness and grace of God the Creator. This sin The Catholic Church belongs to the list of «social sins that cry to heaven».
Every believer must see in himself a sinner, confess specific sins and turn to God, so the Catholic Church, in order to preserve nature, calls for ecological conversion, which can be defined as a change in thinking and behavior, its perception of the natural environment as God's creation. In this sense, there is a mandatory formation of environmental responsibility of man, which is determined by one of the main tasks of the Church. Environmental responsibility should be understood as the responsibility of man for actions that affect the quality of his natural environment.
The current ecological situation, crisis phenomena in nature lead scientists to think about the need to demand a new value orientation in the relationship of man with nature, the revision of certain moral norms that govern human behavior in nature. Therefore, ecological consciousness and culture are necessary conditions for overcoming the global ecological crisis and preventing the global ecological catastrophe, which threatens the existence not only of man, but also of other living and non-living beings created by God.
Important in the process of ecological education and upbringing is the role of the Church, which is one of the first among social institutions to deeply understand the ecological problem and teach about the vocation of man in the world, his task to respect God's creation nature and care for the environment. It carries out its pastoral activity in three fundamental dimensions. The first pastoral action includes the direct spread of the Gospel, catechesis, teaching, preaching, etc. (Evangelization). The second - includes prayer, glorification, worship and all liturgical services (worship). The third includes testimonies of faith in the practice of conduct and works of charity (Diakonia). These three actions are organically connected.
