Today, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Pope Francis Laudato Si (#49) Challenged by the growing ecological crisis and impelled by Pope Francis call for ecological conversion, Loyola School of Theology is now offering a Certificate Program in Integral Ecology. This program addresses the urgent environmental issues and explores alternative perspectives and lines of action. Following the insights of Pope Francis' Encycical Laudato Si, this program uses the lenses of Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, Moral Theology and Interreligious Spirituality to reflect on the political, cultural, economic and scientific aspects of the damage we have inflicted on our common home. Integral Ecology can be completed in five months in the First Semester, from August to December. Students attend three afternoon classes a week, participate in one online course, and join three field trips in nearby areas. For their final course requirement, students shall be guided in crafting pastoral projects that are relevant to their local churches, schools and communities. Integral Ecology is designed for religious, seminarians, and faith-based workers, including teachers and catechists, as well as environmental activists, who wish to take very seriously the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Any and all course offerings of the Certificate Program in Integral Ecology are open to LST students doing their respective fields of specialization in the STB, MA, STL, PhD, DMin and STD. To earn credit for these courses, however, students must meet academic requirements set for each of the individual courses. Please see the Vice President for Academic Affairs for advisement concerning which courses many be taken for the various degree programs. 1 / 6
Curriculum [Systematic Theology] Common Home Economics Related to Ecology Theo 245.6 Pastoral & Political Perspectives on our The Church, Politics and Fr. Albert Alejo SJ, PhD This course ensures that our theological reflections are grounded on lived experience and empirical data by placing the students in dialogue with communities, scientists and activists. It is also designed to help participants in crafting practical projects and relevant research. This course shall also involve three field visits in days to be arranged with the students. [Systematic Theology] Theo 245.7 Theology of Sustaining Our Common Home - Online Fr. Jojo Fung SJ, PhD and Rachel Joyce Marie Sanchez, PhD This course draws from the richness of Catholic tradition, especially from Laudato Si, the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) and the ecofeminist traditions, so our faith is enriched by the plural local religio-cultural traditions and practices of sustainability of life in our common home through our dialogue with the religions, cultures and the poor in our diverse contexts. [Biblical Theology] Theo 223 Biblical Perspectives on Our Common Home Sr. Helen Graham MM, PhD, Fr. Manuel Montesclaros SJ, SSL, Fr. Francis Alvarez SJ, STL, PhD, Sr. Bernardita Dianzon FSP, STD, PhD This course examines biblical attitudes and values through a close study of selected texts from Sacred Scriptures. Texts will be studied in light of the ancient physical, social, political, and religious sitz-im-leben or setting in life in which they arose. The course includes an evaluation of the implications of biblical thought for contemporary Church life and ministry. [Mo ral Theology] 2 / 6
Theo 263.6 Ethics of Caring for Our Common Home Fr. Abundio Babor MSC, STD The worsening state of the environment is a serious global concern. Many solutions, such as Sustainable Development, have become central in environmental discourse. They focus, however, on economic and socio-political aspects of the problem and fail to be holistic. This course presents a critique of these frameworks and proposes a paradigm for environmental sustainability centered on moral and theological virtues. [Spirituality] Theo 279.2 Spirituality of Sustaining Our Common Home Ma ria Teresa Guingona-Africa, PhD With the current ecological crisis reaching global proportions, this course develops a Mysticism of Creation. This mysticism draws from the Christian worldview and spirituality with specific reference to the environment, the relationship between humans and the earth community, and prescriptions toward living in harmony with all beings, in comparative light from the teachings of other Asian religious and cultural traditions. Admission Requirements No prior philosophy or theology courses are required for enrollment in the Certificate Program in Integral Ecology. Students intending to complete this Program must submit the following to the Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs one month before the opening of classes: - Duly accomplished LST Application Form (click here to download the form) - One ID picture ( 2 x 2 ) - Letter of Recommendation from a religious superior, an official of the applicant s educational institution, parish, or organization - LST English Proficiency Test (Php 100.00) - Application Fee (Php 100.00) - One page single-spaced Personal Essay introducing oneself and indicating one s motivation in applying to the Certificate Program in Integral Ecology Tuition and Fees A semester for a new student taking 15 units in the Certificate program will cost around PhP 39,947.00 or USD 764/EUR 649. Computation is based on LST tuition and fees for SY 2018 2019. Conversion to USD and EUR equivalent is based on the current conversion rate of the Central Bank of the Philippines as of May 21, 2018. Scholarships will be available to select students. To apply, download the Scholarship Application Form from http://bit.ly/2isulup and email it to kath.sacredsprings@gmail.com. 3 / 6
For complete information regarding admission procedures to the various academic programs of Loyola School of Theology, click here. Faculty Fr. Albert E. Alejo, SJ, PhD Social Anthropology, School of African and Oriental Studies, University of London. Paring Bert is active in cultural research, social advocacy and writing poetry. He cofounded Apo Governance and Indigenous Leadership Academy (AGILA). His books include Generating Energies in Mount Apo: Cultural Politics in a Contested Environment; Ehemplo: Spirituality of Shared Integrity in Philippine Church and Society; and Nabighani: Mga Saling Tula ng Kapwa Nilikha. Fr. Francis D. Alvarez, SJ, STL, PhD Theology and Education, Boston College. Francis is a regular columnist in The Philippine Star and a member of the management team of the Jesuit Communication Foundation. His dissertation, The Unfolding of Your Word (Psalm 119:130): The Pedagogy of the Psalms, is a study of how Scripture teaches and how we can take advantage of its transformative power today. Fr. Abundio R. Babor Jr, MSC, STD Accademia Alfonsiana, Pontifical Lateran University (Rome). Jayar is Dean of Studies of MSC Scholasticate and Collegiate Formation House. He teaches in Maryhill School of Theology and Institute of Formation and 4 / 6
Religious Studies. His dissertation, From Sustainable Development to Sustainable Community: Toward a Moral Paradigm for Environmental Sustainability, reveals his deep concern for the environment. Sr. Bernardita Dianzon, FSP, STL, PhD Sacred Scriptures, Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome). Sr. Bernie teaches Biblical Theology at Loyola School of Theology, specializing on Pauline theology and spirituality. She has given seminars and retreats on St. Paul in Australia, Asia and Africa. She got the Best in Spirituality and Emerging Author Award from Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Award for her book, Glimpses of Paul and His Message. Fr. Jee Vui M. Fung, SJ, PhD Contextual Theology, Association of Chicago Theological Schools. Jojo is Dean of Studies at East Asian Pastoral Institute. His numerous publications on indigenous communities and spiritualities in South East include Creation is Spirited and Sacred, Ripples on the Water: Believers in the Indigenous Struggle for A Society of Equals, and A Shamanic Pneumatology in a Mystical Age of Sacred Sustainability. Sr. Helen Graham, MM, PhD, Sacred Scriptures, Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City). 'Sr. Helen' is Associate Professor of Biblical Theology at the Loyola School of Theology, specializing in the Hebrew Scriptures. Among her numerous publications is Sing O Barren One and other Essays on Biblical Themes /Helen R. Graham, MM, compiled and edited by Ma. Rosario K. Garcia. Ms. Maria Teresa Guingona-Africa, PhD in Applied Cosmic Anthropology, Asian Social Institute (Manila). Marites is founder and director of Peacemakers Circle Foundation and author of Breath of a Stone-God: A Journey of Awakening in Faith to Interfaith Dialogue. She teaches Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding as well as Conflict Transformation and Peace among Religions at the Ateneo de Manila University. Fr. Manuel J. Montesclaros, SJ, SSL Sacred Scripture, Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome). Fr. Manol has served as Professor of Sacred Scriptures and Director of Human and Spiritual Formation at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City. He is currently assistant professor of Biblical Theology at Loyola School of Theology. Ms. Rachel Joyce Marie O. Sanchez, PhD in Theology, Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City). Rae was 2nd place winner of the Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza New Scholar Award given by the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion in 2016. She is currently teaching at the Ateneo de Manila University and is a member of the Ecclesia of Women in Asia. Her research interests include contextual, postcolonial and feminist theologies. Ms. Edna Zapanta Manlapaz, PhD. Edna is coordinator of the Certificate Program in Integral Ecology. A long-time faculty member of the Department of Language and Literature at Ateneo de Manila University, Edna has published 14 books, focused mostly on Filipino women writers in English. She cofounded the Ateneo English Language Center for 5 / 6
Teaching (ACELT) and the Ateneo Library of Women s Writings (ALIWW). Ruben L.F. Habito, D.Litt.C., Tokyo University (Visiting Faculty). Ruben is a former Jesuit now master practicing in the Sanbo Kyodan lineage of Zen. In his early youth he was sent to Japan on missionary work where he began Zen practice under Yamada Koun-roshi, a Zen master who taught many Christian students, which was unusual for the time. In 1988, Ruben received Dharma transmission from Yamada Koun. He founded the lay organization Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, Texas. He has taught at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University since 1989. Consulting Partners Individuals: Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Executive Director, National Secretariat for Social Action. Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines; Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Director, Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) Institutions: Manila Observatory (MO); Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC) Ateneo de Manila University; Environment, Society, & Sustainable Development Cluster, School of Social Science; Livable Cities and Sustainable Communities; Ateneo de Manila University Department of Sociology/Anthropology; Ateneo de Manila University Department of Environmental Science; Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS); Green Convergence; Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM-Pilipinas) For more information, contact: Sacred Springs: Dialogue Institute of Spirituality and Sustainability Room 305, Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City Call 426-6430 to 35 local 3624 6 / 6