Transcending Time: The Impact of Integral Ecology on Pope Francis' Laudato si'
An imagined conversation between Pope Francis and Saint Francis of Assisi discussing integral ecology
What does it take to convince one of the most influential people in the world to prioritize climate change? It appears that some unexpected philosophers, a rebellious theologian, and a 12th-century monk who took a vow of poverty have inspired Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, which has 1.4 billion followers, to prioritize this crucial issue. One of my academic curiosities is how we create real change in the world, particularly around the changing climate and our relationship to and with the Earth from the inside-out.
Integral ecology is a holistic approach to understanding the interconnectedness of the environment, society, and the economy. It recognizes that environmental issues cannot be solved in isolation from social, economic, political and spiritual considerations. By adopting this approach, we can address the root causes of climate change rather than just treating the symptoms. It emphasizes the importance of caring for the natural world while also promoting social justice and human flourishing. Pope Francis has been a vocal advocate for integral ecology and has made it a cornerstone of his papacy.
[Saint] Francis helps us to see that an integral ecology calls for openness to categories which transcend the language of mathematics and biology, and take us to the heart of what it is to be human. Just as happens when we fall in love with someone, whenever he would gaze at the sun, the moon or the smallest of animals, he burst into song, drawing all other creatures into his praise. — Pope Francis, in Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home
In 2013, the first Jesuit Pope, Pope Francis, named himself after Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis was a religious figure who deeply respected nature and all living beings. He believed that the natural world was a mirror of God, and he referred to all creatures as his brothers and sisters. Pope Francis chose this name to pay tribute to Saint Francis, whom he greatly admired. This reverence for nature became central to his spiritual devotion, governance, and stewardship of the Catholic Church.
In 2015, after two years in his role, Pope Francis emphasized the significance of environmental stewardship and created the Laudato si' encyclical (a papal letter sent to all bishops of the Roman Catholic Church). This document calls for a new global political authority to protect the planet and its inhabitants. Moreover, it highlights the need for an integral ecology that recognizes the interconnectedness of all life on earth. By drawing inspiration from Saint Francis, Pope Francis has created a powerful message that resonates with people of all faiths and backgrounds. This message inspires us to take action to protect our common home, the Earth.
As I delve deeper into the study of integral ecology, I find myself increasingly intrigued by its history. Hilary B. Moore first introduced this concept in her textbook Marine Ecology in 1958. It was later further developed by the Brazilian liberation theologian Leonardo Boff, who authored a book titled "Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor." His work greatly influenced Pope Francis' understanding of integral ecology.
It's fascinating to explore the intricacies of this concept and its origins of influence. The story of Leonardo Boff is a perfect illustration of this. He was a priest, and a founder of the Liberation Theology movement who was silenced for a year by Cardinal Pope Benedict XVI and later accused Pope Benedict of "religious terrorism". When officials in Rome tried to prevent Boff from participating in the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, he left the Franciscan order and the ministry. In 2015, 23 years later, Boff's spiritual and academic fingerprints can be seen directly in Pope Francis' Laudato si letter. It's amazing how ideas and beliefs can transcend time and continue to shape our world with little patience. This gives me hope that the results of our work now toward a more sustainable future are often invisible and that if you pour your soul into what you do, who knows what seeds you have planted that will spring into life generations from now?
The more we emphasize teaching a merely Right-Hand map of systems theory or a Gaia Web of Life instead of equally emphasizing the importance of interior development from egocentric to socio-centric to world-centric, then the more we are contributing to Gaia's demise. —Ken Wilber
Integral Ecology is a concept that also has roots in the work of Ken Wilber, the founder of Integral Theory. The crux of this theory is the All Quadrants, All Levels (AQAL) framework, which provides a comprehensive approach to understanding the interdependence and interconnectedness of all domains of existence, including physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. This approach encourages us to view the world as an all-encompassing and interconnected entity, where every aspect influences and is influenced by others.
It's ambitious that Wilber came up with a framework that applies to, well, everything, but it is the basis of the work that inspired the authors of Integral Ecology: Uniting Multiple Perspectives on the Natural World, Sean Esbjörn-Hargens and Michael Zimmermann. As an academic, I’ve always been dismayed by how much life force poured into dissertations, and other research that never see their actualized potential while collecting dust on a library shelf. But what is stunning about the work of Wilber, and in turn, Esbjörn-Hargens and Zimmermann (2011) is that they may have helped to inspire the Pope, who then issued a stunning decree to all of the Catholic Church.
As I sense into this work, I've adapted Esbjörn-Hargens (2006) model to include what I've come to feel and know as the Holy Spirit. I will write more on this later as it's still very much in draft form.
One of my most beloved authors is Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés. I consider her to be a living saint, and she has also introduced the concept of "integral ecology" from a Jungian psychological perspective in her book, "Women Who Run With Wolves". According to Pinkola Estés, women's acts of returning to wholeness on the archetypal journey are considered acts of "integral ecology" (p. 321). Recently, Catholic nuns have been inspired by her ideas and are figuring out ways to implement the Pope's Laudato si decree with a focus on the inner work we must do to protect the planet and return to wholeness individually, and collectively.
One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these - to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity. —Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés
As we traverse the vast expanse of space and time, it's truly remarkable to think that a man named St. Francis of Assisi, who was born in Italy in 1181 and had a short life of only 44 years, would leave such an incredible legacy through his radical love and care for all of creation. It's also fascinating to consider how a Pope later adopted his name and carried on his mission with the help of a radical former priest and other unlikely characters along the journey.
I left the Catholic Church when I was 13, and my Dad always told me to keep "my foot in the door" of the Church. To him, being Catholic was the pathway to eternal salvation. While I haven't identified as Catholic in nearly 30 years, I still very much feel ethnically Catholic and somewhat spiritually Catholic. And here I am, all these years later still tracing those words that my Dad left for me. He passed away this March and I know he's out there somewhere smiling that I continue to keep my foot somewhat in the door despite what appeared to him looked like a version of the spiritual Hokey-Pokey. We just never know where our ideas or actions will spark a holy fire in someone's heart in the future.
It's amazing how our ideas or actions can have a ripple effect that transcends our linear perceptions of time. You never know how something you say or do today might inspire someone else to create something incredible tomorrow, or a thousand years from now. It's important to remember that every idea, every conversation, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, has the potential to spark a revolution. So, we should always be mindful of the impact we can have on the world around us and strive to do our best, knowing that our ideas, actions and prayers can make a difference, even if we don't see the results right away, or in our lifetimes.
