The 2022 The Saint André Lecture
This lecture, sponsored by the Office for Mission, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Martin Institute Auditorium.
Fr. Daniel P. Horan Named 2022 Saint André Lecturer
Professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Theology will present on Laudato si'
Fr. Daniel Horan, the 2022 St. André Lecturer
Published in 2015, Laudato si' is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. In the letter, the head of the Catholic Church calls on all people to take “swift and united global action” against environmental degradation and climate change. Fr. Daniel P. Horan will visit Stonehill on March 16, 2022, to discuss Laudato si' as part of the College’s biennial lecture series held in honor of Saint André Bessette, C.S.C., the first member of the Congregation of Holy Cross to be canonized a saint.
A Franciscan priest, Fr. Horan is professor of philosophy, religious studies and theology and director of the Center for Spirituality at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. The author of more than a dozen books, he regularly lectures around the United States and abroad.
As we await Fr. Horan’s arrival, we reached out to him to talk environmentalism, the legacy of Saint Francis and the concept of “welcoming the other.”
Fr. Horan is professor of philosophy, religious studies and theology and director of the Center for Spirituality at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.
What are some of your key takeaways from Laudato si'? What aspects of the encyclical do you view to be particularly important?
Laudato si' is a truly inspiring and challenging document. I think the most important take away from the encyclical is its emphasis on “integral ecology,” recognizing that all creation—including humanity—is connected. What we do in one sphere of our lives or world affects others; we are interdependent, interconnected and have a responsibility to care for one another, especially the most vulnerable human and nonhuman creatures.
Saint Francis was named the patron saint of all who promote ecology by Pope John Paul II in 1979. You are a Franciscan priest. What role does environmentalism play in your ministry?
A lot of my academic research has focused on the subject of creation, which may play into a stereotype of Franciscans a little bit. I do find that when I write, teach or preach, I am drawn to emphasizing themes that we human creatures frequently forget—namely, that we are part of creation, too. St. Francis understood that in profound ways, using the titles “brother,” “sister” and “mother” to describe nonhuman elements of creation. He wasn’t being cute or romantic but conveying a powerful truth that both Scripture and science actually agree upon: that we are part of creation and interdependent with the rest of creation. Helping my Christian sisters and brothers to understand that and explore the implications that follow from that truth always plays a role in my ministry.
Fighting climate change is a big undertaking. What advice do you have for someone who is interested in becoming more active in environmentalism, but might not be sure where to start?
Even in Laudato si' Pope Francis reminds readers that the challenges of global climate change can be daunting, even overwhelming for many of us. But he cautions Christians not to lose hope or give up. Instead, he calls all of us to action, although what that may look like in practice will vary depending on our social location, resources and abilities. Nevertheless, we all must do our part, no matter how seemingly small, which may include beginning with reflection on one’s consumption habits, carbon footprint or political commitments.
The author of more than a dozen books, Fr. Horan regularly lectures around the United States and abroad.
This year’s theme for Earth Day is “Invest in Our Planet.” What does that mean to you and what are some of the best ways we can do that?
I suppose one of the things that strikes me immediately about this theme is the word “invest,” which typically signals financial or market interests. One thing Laudato si' highlights is the dangers of unbridled capitalism and the human tendency to put ourselves, our comfort and our wealth ahead of care for the whole of creation. The result has been terrible degradation to the planet. So, investing in the planet suggests to me that we need to re-envision how we think of using our resources, time and energy — does personal or corporate wealth take priority, or does ecological sustainability and environmental justice?
What is the main lesson or idea that you want those attending the Saint Andre Lecture to take away from your address?
I have a two-part lesson I would like those attending to walk away with. The first part is an appreciation for and greater familiarity with the church’s teaching in Laudato si' — too many Catholics either do not know about it at all or might even think of it as some kind of “optional” teaching. It is perhaps one of the most significant and impactful teaching documents of the Church in centuries. The second part is an invitation to rethink how we understand ourselves as human creatures within the broader family of God’s creation, and act in such a way that we can be not just better stewards, but good “siblings” (as St. Francis would say) to the rest of creation.
The ongoing theme for the Saint André Lecture series is "Welcoming the Other," as Saint André spent much of his life serving as a humble porter welcoming people to the College de Notre Dame in Montreal. How does your work and ministry reflect this ideal?
This is one of my favorite elements of the charism of Holy Cross. I believe that Christ calls all the baptized to “welcome the other,” especially those who find themselves pushed to the margins of our communities. For me, this means nonhuman creation, the materially poor within the human family, and those who continue to suffer the burdens of discrimination and violence in society, especially people of color and LGBTQ persons. Pope Francis calls the church to attend to both the “cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” in Laudato si', and I see that as a challenge to respond to the call to “welcome the other” in the spirit of Saint André.