Contaminations Among Religions, Ecology and Society. a Case Study from the Catholic Church

In the Encyclical Laudato Si', Pope Francis states: “We come together to take charge of this home which has been entrusted to us”, adding that only through unity can “Creation” be saved from destruction. In recent years, the Encyclical has opened an intense social, theological and political debate on the environment which has provoked reactions from several religious and political leaders, and encouraged religious and secular communities to promote actions in defence of the environment. Beyond official and institutional actions - such as the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Coexistence or the G20 Interfaith Forum - this call for unity has opened a period of religious effervescence and innovation to promote sustainable lifestyles. This presentation will explore with the contribution of some practical case studies, how the lens of the sociology of religions can help to explore how climate crisis has led to new religious practices, interreligious dialogues, religious-secular debates, but also new conflicts.