In his encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls for a global ecological conversion from the technocratic paradigm that predominantly shapes human activities today, towards the more just, equitable, and ecologically sustainable alternative of integral ecology. Presupposing the ontological interconnectedness of all things, integral ecology offers a holistic relational matrix within which human beings can negotiate the moral norms of their interactions with one another, other organisms, and nature in general. Dioceses around the world are trying to heed the Pope’s call for fundamental change by adopting more sustainable operational strategies, including comprehensive decarbonization efforts.

In this LSRI Research Report, we look at the theological foundations for such an ecological conversion and explore how Church teaching informs the conception and implementation of these sustainability efforts on the diocesan level and beyond.