Franciscan Writings: Hope amid Ecological Sin and Climate Emergency

Description

This book explains key Franciscan values and a hope filled vision of peace, justice, and sustainability, for all of creation. The Franciscan tradition is deeply compatible with the world's spiritual traditions, and respectful of all life-giving ways. Dawn M. Nothwehr engages with a wide variety of topics, such as "ecological sin", environmental destruction, a positive Franciscan soteriological path forward, practical tools necessary for conversion, planet-healing actions, and life-sustaining changes. Part 1 includes two chapters exposing Old and New Testament texts frequently utilized by St. Francis and St. Clare that uphold values essential for Franciscan ecotheology. Then in one chapter on St. Francis and another on St. Clare, the distinct major tenants from their vernacular theologies on creation care are outlined. The two chapters of Part II first expose the formal Franciscan theology and spirituality of St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio and then the Christology and ethics of Bl. John Duns Scotus. In four chapters, Part III treats LS's four ecological issues considering current science, Franciscan theology, ethics, spirituality, and praxis. Designed for classroom use, each chapter includes a wide variety of pedagogical features: primary texts, reflection and application, questions for reflection and discussion, suggestions for action, a short prayer, suggestions for further study.

Dawn M. Nothwehr, OSF, is the Erica & Harry John Family Professor of Catholic Theological Ethics at Catholic Theological Union, USA.

Nothwehr's book serves as footprints for the actions of my colleagues in the Laudato Si'-Asia Platform and is indispensable for those living in the Pacific, especially the smaller islands, who are certainly facing a climate emergency. -- Edmund Chia, Australian Catholic University, Australia Guided by a distinctively Franciscan vision, the author of this challenging book offers a wide range of biblical, theological and ethical reflections on the dynamics and implications of the climate emergency. Chapter by chapter, Dawn M. Nothwehr, OSF, incorporates insights from a wide selection of relevant sources written by prominent figures identified with the Franciscan Tradition. Throughout the book, she illustrates the importance of caring for our Common Home by providing thought-provoking orientations for critical theological reflection on a variety of related topics. In a very compelling way, this book fosters an intergenerational moral commitment to sustainability and inspires participative action. -- Margaret Eletta Guider, OSF, Th.D., Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, USA It is difficult for me to think of anyone who is better qualified than Dawn Nothwehr to offer an informative, heartfelt, and persuasive account of Franciscan theology, spirituality and ethics for addressing the global climate crisis. I highly recommend this timely book as a dawn of hope in the midst of despair. -- Tobias Winright, St Patrick's Pontifical University, Ireland Going from the Bible to Francis and Clare and to the thoughts and theology of Bonaventure and Scotus, Dawn Nothwehr invites us to look at our past regarding creation to learn "What is ours to do?" in the face of climate change. She offers us hope and resolve in a time of "climate emergency." -- Gilberto Cavazos-Gonzalez, Catholic Theological Union, USA In this important book, Dawn Nothwehr articulates an intertwined serries of socio-ecologically engaged insights, including those sourced in key Franciscan writings. The results powerfully illustrate streams of integral hope that can help us navigate our way out of the present climate emergency and, thus, represent cogent reading for our times. -- Christopher Hrynkow, University of Saskatchewan, Canada