“Christian Ethics and the Ecological Emergency”: A Statement from Christian Ethicists Without Borders

Statement: Christian Ethics and the Ecological Emergency

Our Ecological Emergency

Human activity is now driving a complex, dynamic process of environmental destabilisation across the whole of God’s Earth, at a scale and pace unprecedented in human history. This is already disrupting important ecosystems and human socioeconomic activity, creating multiple risks that we need to manage, adapt to and mitigate. We face an ecological emergency that imperils our security and the social structures foundational for human happiness, peace and freedom. To rise to this challenge, we will need to substantially reconstruct and modernise our economy within the next decade. To do this we must inspire and exercise leadership, mobilise resources and pledge action at every level.

A Christian Call to Action

As Christians we are called to be salt and light in the world, to preserve and guide our society. Therefore it is our responsibility to engage with our leaders and representatives to communicate our Christian vision and values, and to encourage ethical public service, leadership and policymaking.

As Christians we are called to care for the least among us, to proclaim good news to the poor and freedom for the oppressed. Therefore it is part of our mission to assist vulnerable populations at home and abroad in adapting to environmental changes, mitigating the risks they face and building resilient societies.

As Christians we are called to till and keep the garden of creation, and to live lives that anticipate and proclaim the restoration and reconciliation of all things in Christ. Therefore it is integral to our Christian identity to work together to prevent harm to Earth’s ecosystems, and to care for, protect and restore God’s beautiful world.

• As Christian individuals and families, we pledge to learn about, acknowledge and repent of choices—in our shopping, eating and recreation, whether at our homes or in our travel—that contribute to pollution and ecological destruction, and we resolve to take significant steps towards lifestyles that are sustainable and aligned with our Christian calling.
• As Christian churches and communities, we pledge to help give voice to the grief we must bear over the destruction caused by our actions and our inaction over many years—including within our church life, and we resolve to imagine how we might practice fellowship, ownership, and renewal in ways that better reflect our commitment to Christian compassion and stewardship, so that our church models best practices for creation care within our community.
• As Christians in our workplaces and businesses, we pledge to consider the ecological impact of our economic activity, and we resolve to cooperate with all those linked in our work to plan a transition towards pollution free and sustainable working practices.
• As Christian citizens, we pledge to engage with and encourage our leaders and representatives, from local to national government, and we resolve to support measures that reduce ecological harm and promote transition towards an economy and society that offers a sustainable future.
• As members of a worldwide church family, we pledge not only to pray for but also to partner with vulnerable communities threatened by ecological breakdown and extreme weather disasters, and we resolve to support projects in partner communities that build resilience, promote long term security, and conserve and protect natural habitat and biodiversity.

As Christians, we pledge to live our values as citizens of God’s new society, which Jesus inaugurated, sustains through the Holy Spirit and promised to bring to fulfilment. And we resolve to bring hope and love to our neighbours around the globe as we celebrate, protect and care for the Earth, our common home, and joyfully join in creation’s praise.

(If you are a Christian ethicist or teach Christian ethics and wish to add your name, please email Christine McCarthy at cmccarthy06@marywood.edu with your name, position, and institution. Institutions are named for identification purposes only and this does not necessarily represent their support of this statement.)

Signed,

1. Tobias Winright, Mäder Endowed Associate Professor of Health Care Ethics and Theological Ethics, Saint Louis University
2. Ryan Patrick McLaughlin, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Theology, College of Saint Elizabeth
3. David R. Weiss, Public Theologian, St Paul’s United Church of Christ, St. Paul, MN
4. Maria Teresa Dávila, Lecturer in Religious and Theological Studies, Merrimack College
5. Daniel P. Scheid, Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Duquesne University
6. Anna Floerke Scheid, Associate Professor, Duquesne University
7. Jacaranda Turvey Tait, Honorary Post-doctoral Fellow, University of Chester
8. Christine E. McCarthy, Instructor in Catholic Social Ethics, Marywood University
9. Marcus Mescher, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics, Xavier University
10. Timothy Harvie, Associate Professor, Program Coordinator for Social Justice and Catholic Studies, St. Mary’s University, Calgary, Alberta
11. M. Therese Lysaught, Professor, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, Stritch School of Medicine, Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago
12. Mary Catherine O’Reilly-Gindhart, Doctoral Candidate in Theology, University of Glasgow
13. Paul J. Greene, Assistant Professor of Theology, St. Catherine University
14. Mikael Broadway, Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, Shaw University Divinity School
15. Kevin Carnahan, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Central Methodist University
16. John P. Slattery, Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion, American Association for the Advancement of Science
17. Maria Gwyn McDowell, Rector, St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church, Portland, Oregon
18. Mark J. Allman, Professor of Religious & Theological Studies, Merrimack College
19. Elena G. Procario-Foley, Br. John G. Driscoll Professor of Jewish-Catholic Studies, Iona College
20. Gerald J. Beyer, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics, Villanova University
21. Richard W. Miller, Professor of Systematic Theology and Sustainability Studies, Creighton University
22. Vincent J. Miller, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton
23. Brad J. Kallenberg, Professor of Theology & Ethics, University of Dayton
24. Peter E. Baltutis, Associate Professor of History and Religious Studies and Catholic Women’s League Chair for Catholic Studies, St. Mary’s University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
25. Scott Paeth, Professor of Religious Studies, DePaul University
26. Kerry Danner, Lecturer in Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Georgetown University
27. Alex Mikulich, Catholic social ethicist, Pittsfield, MA
28. Stephen Bede Scharper, Associate Professor of Religion, University of Toronto
29. John Sniegocki, Associate Professor of Religious Ethics, Xavier University
30. Peter L. Jones, Associate Dean
    & Clinical Assistant Professor, Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago
31. Mark Graham, Associate Professor of Theological Ethics, Villanova University
32. Agnes M. Brazal, Professor of Theology & Ethics, De la Salle University, Manila, Philippines
33. Christopher Steck, S.J., Associate Professor, Georgetown University
34. David Clough, Professor of Theological Ethics, University of Chester
35. W. L. Patenaude, author, founder, CatholicEcology.net and co-founder of the Global Catholic Climate Movement
36. Rev. David J.M. Coleman, Environmental Chaplain, Eco-Congregation Scotland
37. Trevor Bechtel, Student Engagement Coordinator at Poverty Solutions, University of Michigan
38. Luis T. Gutierrez, Editor, Mother Pelican Journal of Solidarity and Sustainability
39. Rachel Hart Winter, Director, St. Catherine of Siena Center, Dominican University
40. Daniel R. DiLeo, Assistant Professor and Director, Justice and Peace Studies Program, Creighton University
41. Eli S. McCarthy, Professor of Justice and Peace Studies, Georgetown University
42. Joseph J. Fahey, Chair, Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Manhattan College
43. Paul J. Wojda, Associate Professor of Theology and Director, Institute for Catholicism and Citizenship, University of St. Thomas
44. William O’Neill, S.J., Lo Schiavo Chair in Catholic Social Thought, University of San Francisco
45. J. Milburn Thompson, Professor Emeritus of Theology, Bellarmine University
46. James P. Bailey, Associate Professor of Theology, Duquesne University
47. Elizabeth W. Collier, Professor of Business Ethics, Dominican University
48. Jeremy Kidwell, Lecturer in Theological Ethics, University of Birmingham
49. Neil Messer, Professor of Theology, University of Winchester
50. David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director, Center for Theology & Public Life, Mercer University
51. James F. Keenan, S.J., Canisius Professor, Director of the Jesuit Institute, Boston College
52. Lev Smith, Rector, St. John the Wonderworker Orthodox Church, Des Moines, Iowa
53. Andy Alexis-Baker, Assistant Professor of Theology, Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago
54. James E. Hug, S.J., President Emeritus, Center of Concern, Adrian, Michigan
55. George Faithful, Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Dominican University of California
56. Bernard Prusak, Professor of Philosophy, Director of the McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, King’s College (PA)
57. Kathryn Getek Soltis, Director of the Center for Peace and Justice Education and Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics, Villanova University
58. Paul Lewis, Professor of Religion, Mercer University
59. Andrea Vicini, S.J., Associate Professor of Moral Theology, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
60. Michael McCarthy, Assistant Professor, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics, Loyola University Chicago
61. Cristina Richie, Assistant Professor, Department of Bioethics and Interdisciplinary Studies, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University
62. Matthew Tapie, Assistant Professor of Theology & Director, The Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies, Saint Leo University
63. Michael P. Jaycox, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics, Seattle University
64. Forrest Clingerman, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Ohio Northern University
65. Celia Deane-Drummond, Director and Professor of Theology, Center for Theology, Science, & Human Flourishing, University of Notre Dame
66. William T. Cavanaugh, Professor of Catholic Studies, DePaul University
67. William George, Professor of Theology, Dominican University
68. Jame Schaefer, Systematic Theology/Ethics, Marquette University
69. Laura M. Hartman, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Roanoke College
70. Paul J. Wadell, Professor of Theology & Religious Studies
71. Valério G. Schaper, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics, Faculdades EST, Brazil
72. Jimmy McCarty, Director for the Center for Equity and Inclusion, University of Washington – Tacoma
73. Gregory D. Walgenbach, Director of Life, Justice & Peace, Diocese of Orange in California
74. Andrew Staron, Assistant Professor of Theology, Wheeling Jesuit University
75. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom, Professor of Theology & Ethics, Director of School of Restorative Arts in Prison, North Park Theological Seminary
76. Daniel J. Daly, Associate Professor, Theology, Saint Anselm College
77. Justin Barringer, Doctoral Candidate in Religious Ethics, Southern Methodist University
78. J. Alexander Sider, Harry and Jean Yoder Scholar in Bible and Religion, Director of Peace and Conflict Studies, Bluffton University
79. Hank Spaulding, Adjunct Instructor, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and Ashland University
80. John Berkman, Professor of Moral Theology, Regis College, University of Toronto
81. Andrew R.H. Thompson, Visiting Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics, The University of the South
82. Stephen D. Miles, Associate Professor of Theology, Immaculata University
83. Teresa Delgado, Director, Peace and Justice Studies, Professor and Chair of Religious Studies, Iona College
84. Cynthia D. Moe-Lobeda, Professor of Theological and Social Ethics, Pacific Lutheran Seminary of California Lutheran Theological University, Church Divinity School of the Pacific
85. Kathy Lilla Cox, Visiting Research Associate, University of San Diego
86. Michael J. Lueken, Instructor of Moral Theology, Xavier College Preparatory (AZ)
87. L. Shannon Jung, Cole Professor Emeritus of Town and Country Ministries, Saint Paul School of Theology
88. Kenneth M. Weare, Member, California Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Environmental Stewardship
89. Erin Lothes, Associate Professor of Theology, College of St. Elizabeth
90. Rowan Williams, Honorary Professor of Contemporary Christian Thought, Master of Magdalene College, University of Cambridge
91. Stefan Skrimshire, Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Leeds
92. Peter R. Gathje, Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean, Professor of Christian Ethics, Memphis Theological Seminary
93. Ruth Valerio, Director of Global Advocacy and Influencing, Tearfund (Teddington, UK)
94. Aana Marie Vigen, Associate Professor of Christian Social Ethics, Loyola University Chicago