Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si', published in 2015, and the more recent apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (2023), remind believers that environmental problems have social implications, affecting the most vulnerable people and, therefore, should manifest our concern for charity. In addition to these social impacts, the environmental issue connects with other nuclear themes of our faith, such as the Theology of Creation, the Incarnation or the materiality of the Sacraments.
The course will review these theological arguments, their biblical and patristic foundations and the most recent developments in theology that support the Christian vision of nature and justify the importance of the 'ecological conversion' proposed by St. John Paul II and supported by his successors. Finally, some practical consequences of this conversion will be reviewed, both in the life of staff and in the management of environmental issues that is carried out in different Catholic institutions.
Prof. Dr. Emilio Chuvieco Salinero
Full Professor of Geography at the University of Alcalá, PhD student in Theology (University of Oxford), award Rei Jaume I 2022
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, January 9 from 12:00h to 13:45h and from 16:00h to 17:45h
Wednesday, January 10 from 10:00 am to 11:45 am
AIMED AT
Open to external participants, subject to registration
Students 5th year of high school program in Theology and 1st year of licentiate degree in Moral Theology
MODALITY
The course is face-to-face
LOCATION
School of Ecclesiastical Studies (classroom 1 / classroom Magna).
Programme
Historical introduction: Critiques and responses to the role of Christianity in environmental degradation. Christian tradition on the environment. Dualism and patristic responses. St. Thomas and St. Bonaventure. Recent Magisterium: St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. Encyclical Laudato si'.
Theology of Creation: Creation and Nature, value of the created, goodness, beauty, image, unity, sin and environmental degradation.
Christology: Incarnation as second Creation, value of the material, Deep-incarnation, "restaurare omnia in Christo".
Sacramental value of nature: Eucharist, cosmic liturgy.
Christian materialism and the value of nature: proposal on St. Josemaría's theological concepts for loving the world passionately.
Some practical applications:
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Natural ecology and human ecology
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The ecological conversion on the internship: environmental care and management , in the life staff and in the parishes.
Registration
The course fee is 30 euros, but for University students and alumni it is 15 euros.
The registration gives the right to receive the course documentation and a certificate accrediting participation.
MORE INFORMATION
School of Theology
faces@unav.es
Bibliography
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Chica, F. and Granados, C (2015): Praised be to you, my Lord. Commentary on Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si', Madrid, BAC.
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Chuvieco, E. and Martín, M.A. (2023): Caring for the Earth. Razones para conservar la naturaleza, 3rd edition, Madrid, Digital Reasons.
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Conradie, Ernst M. (2006): Christianity and ecological theology: Resources for further research (11: African Sun average).
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Deane-Drummond, Celia (2008): Eco-theology, London, Darton, Longman and Todd.
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Edwards, Denis (2014): Ecology at the Heart of Faith, Orbis Books.
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Francis (2015), Encyclical Letter Laudato si, Vatican.
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Sanz Giménez-Rico, Enrique (2016): Caring for the Earth, caring for the poor, Cantabria, Sal Terrae.
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Tatay, Jaime (2017): From the social question (RN) to the partner-environmental question (LS). La recepción católica del challenge de la sostenibilidad: 1891-2015, Pontificia Universidad de Comillas.
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Wirzba, Norman (2003): The Paradise of God. Renewing Religion in an Ecological Age, New York, Oxford University Press.