In his 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis spoke about an “integral” ecology highlighting the deep interconnectedness of nature and society. Recognizing this connection, environmental degradation becomes not just an ecological issue, but also a matter of social justice. “Attacks on nature have consequences on peoples’ lives.”
In light of this insight, this year’s Critical Concern will be Earth: Exploring an Integral Ecology.
This inclusive and wholistic approach to care for the earth will powerfully guide us in living with mercy toward the earth and the people who live on it.
Full schedule of events coming soon.
Please join us in the Casino for the Signature Event beginning at 2:00 PM
An Integral Ecology | Welcome & Opening Liturgy – 2:00 pm
Engaging mind, body and spirit to reflect on the CCW theme of connection and relationship with creation.
TERRA: Bodies & Territories | Dance Performance – 2:20 pm
Adaptation of a work by choreographer Silvana Cardell, performed by Cadence Marciano, examining the connections between women’s bodies and the natural world.
In Mercy | Social & Engagement with Graphic Arts & Photography – 2:40 pm
Sharing Mercy hospitality of food, drink and conversation among graphic displays and photography by GCU students, led by faculty member Jinsook Kim and Leo Morrissey.
Caring About the Climate Crisis: The Challenge of Change | Keynote – 3:00 pm
Awareness of the climate crisis is increasing all across society. As Pope Francis writes in his ground-breaking encyclical Laudato Si’, “Young people demand change!” Change is possible, because while the crises are real, real solutions exist, are being implemented and scaled up. Institutionally, Catholics are global leaders as witnessed by the Laudato Si Movement and the Laudato Si Action Platform. Spiritually, many find confidence in a God who is always present to our beautiful earth. What could it mean to be a “co-creator?”
Erin Lothes, Ph.D., is a Catholic theologian and author of Inspired Sustainability: Planting Seeds for Action (Orbis 2016) as well as many articles on faith-based environmentalism, divestment, and energy ethics. Dr. Lothes is a senior manager of the Laudato Si Animators Program with the Laudato Si Movement. She has been a long-time collaborator with many faith-based environmental coalitions such as the Catholic Climate Covenant, GreenFaith, the Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale, and the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, where she is presently a visiting scholar. Most recently, she has written a commentary to introduce the Orbis Books paper publication of Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum.
Critical Concerns 2024 | Critical Concerns 2023 | Critical Concerns 2022