Ignatian spirituality and the ecological vision of Laudato Si'

Younger, P. L. (2015) Ignatian spirituality and the ecological vision of Laudato Si'. The Way, 54(4), pp. 57-67.

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Abstract

St Ignatius of Loyola briefly sets out his understanding of the relationship between humans and the rest of Creation right at the start of the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises, in the Principle and Foundation, where he states that ‘the other things on the face of the earth are created for man and that they may help him in prosecuting the end for which he is created’ (Exx 23:3). Taken at face value, these words might seem to be a simple extension of the injunction in the first of the creation myths in Genesis, where humankind is instructed to ‘fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion … over every living thing’ (Genesis 1:28). More than any other line of scripture, this verse has been used to justify ever-greater human appropriation of the earth’s primary biological production. Right-wing pressure groups that claim Christian affiliation—particularly in the USA—use this single sentence to justify unremitting and carefree subjugation of nature to any and all desires of humankind . Does the Principle and Foundation of the Spiritual Exercises also take such an instrumental view of Creation? I should like to address this question here, particularly in the light of Laudato si’—the second encyclical of the first Jesuit pope.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Younger, Professor Paul
Authors: Younger, P. L.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:The Way
Publisher:Way Publications
ISSN:0043-1575

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