The Cry of the Earth as the Cry of the Poor in Congo: An Integral Response through the Lens of an Ignatian, “Creation-Centered” Spirituality

Kineni, Amalabuna Albert (2016) The Cry of the Earth as the Cry of the Poor in Congo: An Integral Response through the Lens of an Ignatian, “Creation-Centered” Spirituality. Licentiate thesis, Santa Clara University Berkeley, California.

PDF (The Cry of the Earth as the Cry of the Poor in Congo: An Integral Response through the Lens of an Ignatian, “Creation-Centered” Spirituality) The Cry of the Earth as the Cry of the Poor in Congo An Integral Response through the Lens of an Ignatian, “Creation-Centered” Spirituality.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The nexus between environmental desolation and poverty has become an urgent matter for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The destructive exploitation of the natural world does not occur without severe consequences for biodiversity and people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. Thus, in Congo, as elsewhere in Africa and around the world, we hear not only the cry of the earth but also the cry of the poor. In a world characterized by growing interdependence and increasing poverty, the many ecological challenges require solutions based on a morally coherent worldview necessary for the development of a sustainable society, one that emphasizes the need for right relationship with God, one another, and the earth. Poverty, climate change, pollution and ecological destruction are moral, ethical and spiritual issues harming the earth and the poor and leading to our disconnection from God, one another, and creation. I demonstrate that Ignatian spirituality, specifically the Spiritual Exercises, can serve as a tool of conversion to move people from disconnectedness to interconnectedness, from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Ignatian spirituality can offer a basis for addressing environmental concerns through the recognition of the way in which God “labors” in creation. Against the backdrop of Congolese poverty and ecological devastation, I thus explore an Ignatian creation-centered spirituality in concert with liberation, eco-feminist, and African theologies, showing how together they can help us rediscover the value and sacramentality of creation and the importance of right relationship. Such a holistic spirituality can help us break the vicious grip of a belief in the prevailing paradigm of “domination” by presenting a view of creation as a gift to be preserved and cherished for the good of all. Today, it is more evident than ever that life on this planet exists within an interdependent and interconnected web of life. The structures which humans have created for living within the realities and limits of the earth’s ecosystems have become stretched and fragile. This has created ecological destruction on a massive scale, accelerating the groans of the earth and the cries of the poor. I argue that ecological justice must be at the heart of any sustainable economic, social or environmental system, and must support all the people of the earth. Thus, human beings are called to actively participate as co‐creators with the Trinitarian God in building a sustainable society and restoring and redeeming this fragile earth.

Item Type:	Thesis (Licentiate)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BT Doctrinal Theology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions:	Africana Afro-Christiana Jesuitica
Depositing User:	Tim Khabala
Date Deposited:	13 Sep 2017 08:59
Last Modified:	13 Sep 2017 08:59
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/2126

Actions (login required)

View Item