For two religious sisters, discovering how to link their concern for the environment with their religious calling meant returning to the classroom. Inspired by Laudato Si’, the encyclical on the care for the environment promulgated by Pope Francis in 2015, Sister MaryAnne Francalanza, FCJ and Sister Benedicta Lim, OSB arrived in Toronto from England and Korea respectively in September 2023 as eco-missionaries for their religious communities. Studying at the Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology, (RSM) and particularly within its Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology (EAITE), has given them a community, hope, and the tools to champion change that they will take back home.
“Science gives us the facts and can help with finding technological solutions, but what needs to be done in order to live in harmony with the Earth and all God’s creatures is change hearts, and that’s in the realm of faith,” says Sister MaryAnne, who had spent 17 years teaching math at a secondary school in Liverpool, England.
She is here for one-year post graduate diploma at the EAITE. As a Faithful Companion of Jesus, she left her teaching position in 2022 to complete her tertianship, a year away from active ministry to deepen her understanding of the FCJ life and charism. In addition to her teaching, Sister MaryAnne describes herself as an “eco-warrior” in her school. She was known to take simple actions like encouraging the students not to waste resources; working with a team of senior students to campaign for meat-free Mondays in the school canteen; and including care for the Earth in prayers and the liturgy. During her year of reflection, she realized she was being called to pursue this passion more purposefully.
The release of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ in 2015 compelled the Congregation to make care for our planet one of its priorities at its 2019 General Chapter. This year of study supports that priority.
She has enjoyed being able to take courses at RSM, as well as at Trinity College and Emmanuel College, which are also members of the Toronto School of Theology, a consortium of seven theological schools, affiliated with the University of Toronto.
“There’s a cross pollination with people of other denominations, and even of other faiths. In these classes, whenever ecology, climate change or creation is brought up, students want to talk about it and they all bring different lenses to the material,” she says.
When Sister MaryAnne returns to England in the fall, she will be taking back knowledge, ideas, and experiences that she hopes to share in parishes and schools. “I want to build on the good work that other people have already done,” she says.
Sister Benedicta is a member of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Busan in South Korea. Her Congregation joined the Laudato Si’ seven-year action plan and that was the occasion for the Council to send someone to study eco-theology. Sister Benedicta’s Mother Superior requested that she study eco-theology specifically at RSM because the program is internationally recognized and known to the community, as two priests they know had returned after earning their doctorate degrees from RSM.
The Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Busan are called to do whatever work is needed by the Church and this charism includes working directly with the Earth, so some of their ministries involve farming. Through her studies, Sister Benedicta has come to realize that her community demonstrates concern for the environment through all its ministries, and especially its work with the marginalized. As she gains an eco-theological perspective, she realizes how eco-issues disproportionately affect the poor and disadvantaged.
“Pope Francis sees the poor usually as having the cry of nature. When nature is harmed, people, usually the marginalized, are also being hurt and that’s what eco-theology uncovers. I hope to have their voices be heard,” says Sister Benedicta.
Prior to coming to Toronto, Sister Benedicta had been involved in her community’s parish ministry. She is now in her first year of a Master of Theological Studies degree at RSM, while also earning a certificate in theology and ecology from the EAITE.
While it may have been her community that sent her to study, she wants to apply what she is learning to her life of service. “Ecological theology is not something to study and be done with. It’s something that I must carry until the end in my life,” she says. She thinks her education will give her the confidence to speak up more about environmental issues and have a bigger impact on decision making.
“It has absolutely been wonderful to have Sr. Benedicta and Sr. MaryAnne as part of our community. They have brought their unique interest in eco-spirituality and have enriched our conversations on eco-theology with their passion for and commitment to eco-justice,” says EAITE director Prof. Hilda Koster.
The EAITE oversees a certificate and diploma in ecological theology at RSM. Founded in 1991, it is one of the oldest institutes to offer ecological theology programs, and the only Catholic institute in North America to do so.