Fr Eduardo Lara, Rector of the Salesian Higher Institute, explains that this initiative aims to “contribute to the formation of Salesians and lay people and of all people of goodwill who want to create a more just and fraternal, more ecological world, not only for us, but also for generations to come. We want to make this small contribution to the concert of efforts to care for the world in which we live.”
In support of the initiative, the ISS stresses that the current ecological crisis has made reflection on the care of Creation and the role of mankind in the serious deterioration of the environment ever more urgent. In this scenario, the Catholic Church has joined the voices calling for an integral conversion, which includes the ecological aspect, and translates into the adoption of new lifestyles: an ecological conversion.
Paraphrasing the orientations of Laudato Sì in relation to what ecological conversion is, it could be defined as allowing "all the consequences of our encounter with Jesus Christ emerge in our relations with the world around us… acquiring the interior impulse which encourages, motivates, nourishes and gives meaning to our individual and communal activity, thereby permitting us to live our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork.” (LS 216- 217)
The diploma course promoted by ISS, an institution with official recognition in Mexico and affiliated with the Faculty of Theology of the Salesian Pontifical University of Rome, also has the support of the Salesian Polytechnic University of Ecuador and the support of the Don Bosco Green Alliance. The content will be presented in six modules that will present ecological spirituality in the dynamics of the History of Salvation, as well as an initial introductory section that includes the definition of ecological spirituality. These modules will be treated starting from the transversal axes of biblical hermeneutics, theological reflection, and pastoral action.
The course, lasting 3 months, will begin on March 5 and is aimed at adults, members of the Don Bosco Green Alliance, young animators, Laudato Sì animators, with a minimum of pastoral experience in youth groups, catechesis, or other parish activities, in an oratory or youth center setting.
More information is available on the ISS Facebook page.
