UST Institute of Religion Instructor Ivan Efreaim Gozum, MA wrote an article that has been recently featured by the Laudato Si鈥� Movement, a global Catholic network inspired by Pope Francis鈥檚 2015 encyclical Laudato Si,鈥� under the auspices of the Vatican鈥檚 Dicastery for Integral Human Development.
Gozum鈥檚 article reflects on the continuing relevance of Pope Francis鈥檚 encyclical by examining the moral, spiritual, and social dimensions of the ecological crisis. It emphasizes the call to integral ecology, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental degradation, social injustice, and human responsibility, while urging Catholics to move beyond awareness toward concrete action for climate and ecological justice. Grounded in Catholic social teaching, the article underscores the role of education, faith communities, and institutions in fostering ecological conversion and collective responsibility for the care of creation, in line with the call of Laudato Si鈥� and the Church鈥檚 broader commitment to integral human development.
Since the release of Laudato Si鈥� in 2015, UST has been a consistent and proactive supporter of the encyclical鈥檚 call for integral ecology, integrating its principles into its academic programs, research initiatives, and community engagement efforts, including the 2016 Retreat titled 鈥淎mbag Kalikasan鈥� and continuing initiatives like Conferences and Seminars that promote the urgent call of the late Pontiff for the protection of our common home.
Gozum is an academic researcher of the Research Center for Theology, Religious Studies, and Ethics and is pursuing his doctorate degree in Theology.
The article can be accessed here: