DOING THEOLOGY AMID A CHANGING CLIMATE: CROSSING DIVIDES BY UNIVERSITY OF ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE

 

University of St. Michael's College

A two-day online conference exploring the intersections of climate change, Christian theology, and social justice.

About this event

As world leaders gather in Glasgow to implement the Paris climate agreement, the online conference “Doing Theology Amid a Changing Climate: Crossing Divides” explores Christian theology’s contribution to the cultural, social, and spiritual transitions needed. Together with scientists and leaders from other faith traditions, Christian churches and communities have provided common witness on climate change. Yet because climate change is not simply an issue to be addressed but signals a need for a radical change in the way we inhabit a damaged planet, theologians and scientists discuss what more is required at this crucial geo-historical moment.

The speakers and panelists will ask how we can more effectively collaborate across disciplines and align our theology with cosmology and evolutionary science. How can we overcome divisions on climate science in a post-truth world? Which revelations of the sacred will nurture our interdependence with one another and the more than human world? And, as climate change further divides climate privileged and vulnerable communities along lines of race, gender, and ethnicity, how may theologians and community leaders work together to address questions of climate justice?

This conference is hosted by the Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology at the University of St. Michael’s College (Toronto), a leading interdisciplinary institute for scholarship and dialogue rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition.

Itinerary:

Thursday, November 11

7–8:30 p.m.

Opening and Land Acknowledgement by Dr. Hilda Koster, Associate Professor and Director of the Elliott Allen Institute of Theology and Ecology, the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto (Ontario, Canada)

Welcome by Dr. David Sylvester, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of St Michael’s College in the University of Toronto

A Word about the history of The Elliott Allen Institute by Dr. Stephen Dunn, C.P., Founding Director of the Elliot Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology and Professor (retired) of Ecological Ethics in the Faculty of Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto (Ontario, Canada)

“Poetry about crisis, coming together, and courage” by Colleen Lynch, activist, writer and co-creator of Kitchen Table Climate Conversations, Toronto

Introduction to the Speaker by Deanna Zantingh, PhD Student, the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto (Ontario, Canada)

Keynote: “Earth's Fragility and the Crisis of Transcendence: Why Science and Religion Must be Reconciled,” by Dr. Ilia Delio, OSF Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Theology at Villanova University (Pennsylvania, USA). Q&A to follow.

Friday, November 12

8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

Opening and Introduction by Dr. Hilda Koster

Welcome by Dr. John L .McLaughlin, Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible and Interim Dean, the Faculty of Theology, University of St Michael’s College in The University of Toronto

Session 1: Climate Justice and Gender Justice: Addressing Inequities and Working across Difference

To many poor and minority communities, climate change means death and destruction on an ever-larger scale. Women and gender-diverse people are especially vulnerable. Speaking from various contexts and in solidarity with marginalized communities in both the global North and South, most notably Indigenous communities, this panel of renowned Catholic women theologians discusses these inequities and injustices with a focus on resource extraction and gender justice.

Moderator: Dr. Susan Wood SCL, Academic Dean and Professor of Systematic Theology, Regis College in the University of Toronto

• Dr. Sharon Bong, Associate Professor Religion and Gender Studies, Monash University (Malaysia)

• Dr. Lisa Sowle Cahill, J. Donald Monan, S.J, Professor of Theology and Ethics, Boston College, Boston (Massachusetts, USA)

• Dr. Elizabeth O’Donnell, Early Associate Professor of Catholic and Latin American Studies, Wake Forest University, School of Divinity, Winston-Salem (North Carolina, USA)

• Dr. Christine Jamieson, Undergraduate and Certificate Program Adviser and Associate Professor Theological Studies, Concordia University, Montreal and a member of the Boothroyd First Nation (Quebec, Canada)

10:15–11:30 a.m.

Session 2: Theology and Climate Science: Addressing Indifference, Fear, and Denial

To address climate change, theologians and climate scientists need to further engage in dialogue across disciplines. This panel explores the possibilities and challenges for this collaboration. How can climate science inform Christian theology? How can they both challenge religiously motivated climate change denialism? How can theology address fear and deep-seated anxiety about the consequences of climate change? What role do climate scientists see for the wisdom and power of religion and spirituality?

Moderator: Dr. Ernst M. Conradie, Professor of Theology, University Western Cape (Cape Town, South Africa)

A Word on the T&T Clark Handbook of Christian Theology and Climate Change: Dr. Ernst M. Conradie

• Dr. Heather Eaton, Full Professor Conflict Studies, St. Paul University, Ottawa (Ottawa, Canada)

• Dr. Karen Smith, Assistant Professor Environmental Science/ Director of the Master of Environmental Science Program in Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, University of Toronto (Ontario, Canada)

• Dr. Pam McCaroll, Associate Professor in Practical Theology, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto (Ontario, Canada)

11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.

Session 3: Working across Ecclesial and Colonial Divides

Moderator: Dr. Michael Attridge, Associate Professor of Theology, the Faculty of Theology, University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto (Ontario, Canada)

Despite considerable ecumenical efforts towards a common witness, Christianity remains deeply divided on ethical issues, including climate change. Theologians representing various confessional and ecclesial traditions and communities address the challenges of ecumenical collaboration. Can Catholics come together with other Christians around the vision for climate justice and sustainability that Pope Francis unfolds in the encyclical Laudato si’? Can Christians from the global South and North work together to address issues of climate injustice amid the enduring legacy of colonialism? How should Christian settler churches engage with and learn from Indigenous communities?

• Dr. Ernst M. Conradie, Professor of Theology, University of the Western Cape (Cape Town, South Africa)

• Deacon Rennie Nahanee, Squamish Nation Elder and Catholic Deacon at St. Paul’s Indian Catholic Church located at Uslahan on Squamish land.

• Dr. Erin Lothes, Associate Professor of Theology, Saint Elizabeth University (Morristown, New Jersey, USA) and Senior Manager, Animators Program, Laudato Si’ movement.

• Dr. Kuzipa Nalwamba, Lecturer in Ecumenical Social Ethics at Bossey Ecumenical Institute, affiliated with the University of Geneva (Geneva, Switzerland)

If you have any questions about this event, please reach out to Dr. Hilda Koster at hilda.koster@utoronto.ca.