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Pope Francis and Respect for Diversity: A Mapping Employing a Green Theo‐Ecoethical Lens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Christopher Hrynkow
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Abstract

This article maps a selection of Pope Francis’ social teaching, which supports respect for diversity. It undertakes this task with the aid of a green theo‐ecoethical lens. That hermeneutical lens is first introduced to the reader via an explanation of its constituent parts. It is then employed to help situate respect for diversity as a Christian ethical principle. With those foundations in place subsequent sections employ the lens to colligate Francis’ teachings which, dialogically, both inform and come into focus through a green theo‐ecoethical perspective concerned with respect for diversity. Here, three sections unfold the Pope’s treatment of themes relevant to respect for diversity in a green theo‐ecoethical light. Specifically, these sections focus on contributions emerging from (1) Francis’ public ministry in general, (2) his first substantive piece of Catholic Social Teaching, Evangelii Gaudium, and (3) perhaps the most anticipated papal encyclical of all time, Laudato Si’. The article's conclusion helps situate the contextual cogency of insights emerging from this multi‐dimensional mapping for what Francis names as our common home, a planet which encompasses an Earth community in a dire need of increased levels of socio‐ecological flourishing.

Keywords

Pope FrancisChristian EcoethicsDiversityEvangelii GaudiumLaudato Si’
Type
Original Article
Information
New Blackfriars , Volume 99 , Issue 1083 , September 2018 , pp. 601 - 621
Copyright
Copyright © 2016 Provincial Council of the English Province of the Order of Preachers

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81 Ibid., §221.

82 Ibid., §14.

83 Ibid., §36,

84 Ibid., §240.

85 Ibid., §33.

86 Ibid., §s38‐39.

87 Ibid., §144.

88 Cf. ibid., §118.

89 Ibid., §190.

90 Ibid., §143.

91 Ibid., §100.

92 Ibid., §221.

93 Ibid., closing of postscript.

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