CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2016
| Author | Bolas, Natasha Patricia |
|---|---|
| Title | Has Pope Francis' Environmental Encyclical Made Waves? A Case Study of the Los Angeles Archdiocese in the Wake of Laudato Si' |
| Summary | In May 2015 Pope Francis published an encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, which is the first papal encyclical to be written primarily about ecological issues. Papal encyclicals are part of the body of Catholic Social Teaching and while not considered to be infallible, carry immense authority in the Catholic Community. Encouraging individual behavior towards sustainability is an important task and the Catholic Church has the capacity to influence millions. This study empirically investigated the dissemination of Laudato Si’ with a case study of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. A mixed methods approach was employed that engaged both the clergy and the laity, but each in a different capacity. Interviews with clergy members allowed for a more in-depth understanding of the decisions being made, and a survey approach allowed for a greater amount of the congregation to be consulted. A stage-based dissemination model, diffusion of innovations, was used to assess the level of dissemination. Results showed that this region has not yet reached the stage of implementation, but is still in the stages of absorption and interpretation. Teachings regarding the environment have not changed significantly since the release of the letter, however all interviewed clergy acknowledged a heightened awareness and sense of urgency for ecological concerns. Specific dissemination strategies were not discovered, yet 22% of the surveyed participants reported an awareness of the letter. For now Pope Francis has caused only a swell, rather than a wave, of change. |
| Supervisor | Watt, Alan |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2016/dipietro_natasha.pdf |
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