From 5 to 16 July 2025, twelve Jesuits representing four continents took part in the first-ever Integral Ecology Summer School, a landmark initiative led by the Integral Ecology Research Network.
Participants were selected for their pastoral, academic, or professional engagement with ecological issues—ranging from scientific research and theological enquiry to hands-on projects with vulnerable and marginalised communities. The Summer School created a unique space for exploring integral ecology through a Jesuit lens, shaped by global diversity and local commitment.
From Oxford to the Borderlands
The programme unfolded in two distinct locations. The first half took place at Campion Hall, the Jesuit hall at the University of Oxford, where participants were welcomed by Dr Patrick Goujon SJ, Superior of the community, and Dr Peter Rožič SJ, Director of the Integral Ecology Research Network. These opening days focused on intellectual formation, spiritual grounding, and community building—set against the backdrop of Campion’s long tradition of academic and social engagement at Oxford. The second half of the programme moved to Belmont Abbey, a Benedictine monastery near Hereford on the border of England and Wales, offering a change of pace and a chance to deepen reflection in a contemplative, rural setting. Here, the emphasis shifted to ecological spirituality, prayer, and hands-on learning in nature.
Lectures, Prayer, and Dialogue
The School offered a holistic curriculum combining academic lectures, daily spiritual practice, and shared dialogue. Topics included the transition from degenerative to regenerative agriculture, deep incarnation theology, and the contemplation of Christ as a gateway to deeper ecological consciousness. Contributors included Dr Amar Nayak from XIM University in India, Dr Celia Deane-Drummond from Oxford University, Dr Jenny Howell from Baylor University, and Dr Austen Ivereigh, who offered an ecological reading of the Spiritual Exercises. The intimate scale of the group encouraged rich discussion and space for questions, allowing the lectures to become dynamic platforms for mutual learning.
Sharing Stories, Building Networks
A key element of the programme was the opportunity for participants to present their own projects and research. These included a decarbonisation initiative in Jesuit communities across the Euro-Mediterranean Province, anthropological research with Indigenous communities in Amazonia, India, and Burkina Faso, as well as digital pastoral tools like a Chinese-language Laudato Si’-inspired Catholic platform and a website promoting Christian veganism. Scientific, educational, and theological research were also part of the mix. These sessions became spaces of inspiration, exchange, and collaboration, enriched by the lived experiences of a global Jesuit network.
Workshops on Storytelling and Agroecology
In addition to the academic sessions, participants took part in workshops aimed at strengthening practical skills. Amishi Agrawal from IERN offered a session on Jesuit-inspired agro-ecological initiatives across Africa, helping to map out the global reach of faith-based responses to ecological degradation. Miko Cempla from HumanStories.studio led a workshop on visual storytelling, encouraging participants to use creative media to communicate ecological realities with clarity and emotion.
The Earth Elders Visit
One of the most memorable moments of the Summer School was the visit of the Earth Elders—a US-based conservation charity working with Indigenous communities to restore degraded ecosystems and safeguard biodiversity by elevating ancestral wisdom and forming new ecological leaders. In a compelling dialogue moderated by Dr Séverine Deneulin and Marianna Beltrami, the Earth Elders shared wisdom from Indigenous communities across the globe and reflected on their alignment with the vision of ecological conversion expressed in Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’. The event concluded with a shared lunch at Campion Hall, offering an intimate space for conversation and connection.
Ecological Spirituality in the English Countryside
The final part of the programme unfolded at Belmont Abbey, where participants were warmly welcomed by Abbot Brendan Thomas and joined in the rhythm of the monastic community. The quiet countryside allowed space for deeper prayer, rest, and reflection on the themes explored during the week. Participants also spent time working on a nearby sustainable farm, gaining practical experience in planting, harvesting, composting, and animal care—an immersive encounter with the daily labour of ecological stewardship. Evening walks, shared meals, and an informal vegetarian barbecue brought the programme to a close with a renewed sense of friendship, mission, and joy.
A Milestone in Jesuit Ecological Formation
The Integral Ecology Summer School was a milestone for the Integral Ecology Research Network and a promising step towards building stronger global pathways for Jesuit ecological engagement. The programme was made possible thanks to the support of Jesuits in Britain, the Laudato Si’ Research Institute, Campion Hall, and a number of donors and partners. Special credit goes to coordinators Dr Rebekah Wallace and Dr Vinícius Ferreira da Paixão SJ, and to Dr Peter Rožič SJ, the director of IERN. Building on the success of this first edition, future Summer Schools will aim to expand this vision-deepening awareness, inspiring action, and strengthening global connections rooted in the spirit of integral ecology.
About the Institutions
Campion Hall: founded by the Society of Jesus in 1896, Campion Hall is one of four Permanent Private Halls at the University of Oxford. The Hall opened originally for the benefit of Jesuit undergraduates, but is now home to a thriving international community of graduate students, Fellows, and staff from diverse backgrounds and faiths.
The Laudato Si’ Research Institute (LSRI), established in 2019 and based at Campion Hall, focuses on research and education inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’. It seeks to address the ecological crisis through interdisciplinary enquiry and theological reflection rooted in the Catholic tradition.
The Integral Ecology Research Network (IERN), launched in 2024, brings together Jesuit scholars and practitioners working on ecology and social justice around the world. IERN provides a platform for research collaboration, mutual support, and formation aligned with the principles of integral ecology.
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