What is Green Thomism?

Green Thomism seeks to offer a path toward an “ecological conversion” whereby one permits one’s relationship with Jesus Christ to enlighten attitudes about the created world around us. It is an attempt to recover key claims at the heart of St. Thomas’ vision of reality that brings his thought into dialogue with modern ecological concerns. Rooted in Aquinas’s understanding of creation as an ordered, purposeful whole sustained by God, Green Thomism emphasizes the intrinsic goodness and intelligibility of the natural world, not merely its usefulness to humans. It also defends a robust account of human embodiment, i.e., the organicity of the body as an inescapable feature of all human rationality. It draws on Thomistic concepts such as natural law and the interconnectedness of all beings to argue that humans have a moral responsibility to care for the environment as stewards rather than exploiters. By integrating Aquinas’s metaphysical and ethical framework with ecological awareness, Green Thomism offers a theological foundation for environmental responsibility as an essential and permanent feature of Catholic doctrine and practice.

Who is Saint Thomas Aquinas?

Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was a medieval Catholic priest, theologian, and philosopher who became one of the most influential thinkers in Western history. Born in Italy, he joined the Dominican Order and devoted his life to studying, teaching, and writing about faith, reason, and human nature. Aquinas is best known for his major work Summa Theologica, in which he sought to clearly explain Christian beliefs using logical reasoning, drawing heavily from the philosophy of Aristotle. His ideas shaped Catholic theology for centuries, and he was later declared a saint and a Doctor of the Church.

 

What is Laudato si' ?

Laudato Si’ is a 2015 encyclical written by Pope Francis that focuses on care for creation and the moral responsibility humans have toward the environment. Addressed to all people, not just Catholics, the document highlights the interconnectedness of ecological, social, and economic issues, emphasizing that environmental degradation disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable. Pope Francis calls for an “integral ecology,” which recognizes that caring for the Earth is inseparable from caring for human dignity, justice, and the common good. Through a blend of theology, science, and social reflection, Laudato Si’ urges individuals, communities, and governments to rethink consumption, protect natural resources, and adopt lifestyles rooted in gratitude, responsibility, and respect for God’s creation.

 

Who is Pope Francis?

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, is the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first pope from the Americas. Elected in 2013, he is known for his emphasis on humility, mercy, and care for the poor and marginalized. Pope Francis has also been a strong voice on global issues such as environmental protection, social justice, and peace, encouraging both Catholics and the wider world to live with compassion, simplicity, and responsibility toward one another and creation.

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“Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.”

-Pope Francis, Laudato si’, 12.