A well-developed sensitivity to issues of ecology and sustainable development exists in Spanish society. This sensitivity is expressed in a national strategy and a national campaign spread through much of the national territory, as demonstrated by the numerous congresses and publications devoted to the issue. The challenge of sustainable development linked to work has also been addressed in the reflection of the Episcopal Conference, and of the various movements and groups, on the basis of some fundamental propositions, such as that man did not receive from God a mission to dominate and exploit the earth but to preserve and improve it. The Spanish Church has promoted various educational programmes dedicated to the values of the creation as a reflection of the goodness and beauty of God in collaboration with some movements and associations such as the JEC, JOC, Catholic Action, Caritas, Mani Unite and various parish groups. The need is felt also in the ecclesial sphere for a new heightening of awareness and a greater presence of Christians in the debates and in the formulation of projects that concern ecology and work. At the same time, the need is emphasized to bring reflections conducted at the local level to the appropriate international forums (“in view of the global character of present-day society”) and to promote greater collaboration between the institutions with a view to the greater effectiveness and diffusion of proposals: important in this respect is the role of the Catholic Universities. Numerous specific pastoral proposals are also being formulated by the Christian movements at the basic level; they need to be coordinated in a process of evangelization, humanization, social transformation. The spiritual dimension of work and development needs to be recognized.
