Catholic Education and the Environment

Environmental justice is an essential part of Catholic faith. Establishing that fact in the hearts and minds of Catholics is the aim of a variety of educational programs throughout the Church.

• Parish education helps integrate church social teaching on the environment into parish life, grounding the congregation’s environmental justice ministry.
• Environmental curricula in Catholic schools connect science and social studies with faith and the values of justice and stewardship. Often, these combine learning with environmentally responsible behavior, advocacy, and community service.
• Leadership training programs give clergy and laity the skills and understanding needed to carry this work forward.

Catholic colleges, universities, campus ministries and seminaries offer opportunities for connecting faith and the environment through more advanced studies, such as:

• Undergraduate majors and minors in environmental studies, ethics, and policy (e.g., University of Portland, Marquette University, Santa Clara University);
• Graduate degrees (e.g., Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, St. Thomas University, The School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University); and
  

• Non-Degree programs (e.g., St. Thomas More Catholic Campus Ministry, TREES – Theological Roundtable on Ecological Ethics and Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union.

Many religious communities provide environmental education programs on their lands, such as:

• Shepherd’s Corner at Dominican Acres (Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs).
• Franciscan Earth Literacy Center (Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Charity).
• Center for Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry (School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mankato Province).
• Marianist Environmental Education Center (Society of Mary).

Learn how Franciscan spirituality promotes environmental action and dialogue on a secular university campus.