(translated as "We Are Guardians") primarily refers to a significant theological and environmental concept within the Catholic Church in Croatia and the surrounding region. It is most often cited as a summary of Pope Francis's teachings on ecology, specifically from his encyclical Laudato si' . Theological and Environmental Context
The phrase emphasizes a shift from the idea of "dominion" over the earth to "stewardship" (guardianship). Reviews of this concept within religious and social circles in Croatia highlight several key themes: Mi smo skrbnici
: A common refrain in reviews of this teaching is that "if we destroy creation, creation will destroy us". (translated as "We Are Guardians") primarily refers to
: In legal and academic papers in the Balkan region, the term "skrbnici" (guardians) is frequently discussed in the context of child welfare and foster care , specifically regarding the ethical and legal duties of state-appointed guardians for children without parental care. Reviews of this concept within religious and social
While the phrase is most prominent in environmental theology, it appears in other specialized contexts:
: In international forums like the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the phrase "we are guardians of the planet" is used symbolically—for example, in the "Earth Dreaming" logo—to represent the connection between inhabitants and natural resources.
: The core message is that humans must protect the "signs of God's love" found in nature rather than exploit them for short-term gain.