Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home

Statement of Leaders in Catholic Higher Education Globally

The Preamble

On June 18, 2015, Pope Francis issued ‘Laudato Si’, On the Care of our Common Home’ a timely, comprehensive, and inspiring encyclical with an urgent call to action to address the climate and justice crises threatening the planet, crises widely recognized as defining characteristics of our times and a serious threat to our future. He calls upon every person on the planet, the whole human community, to take up this urgent set of challenges, recognizing the profound religious and moral imperatives they present.

Pope Francis states forcefully and clearly that facing these challenges will require profound changes in lifestyles, myths and mental paradigms, models of production and consumption, cultural assumptions and values, and the consolidated social and political structures that govern society today. All of this presents extraordinary educational and spiritual challenges.

Catholic Higher Education, then, has a vital and challenging role to play in shaping and informing the serious educational and moral dialogues that must take place to respond to this call, to address these crises. Higher educational institutions globally must seek to provide influential leadership in discovering new and life-giving paths to address the pressing emergencies of climate change, social exclusion, and extreme poverty and in uncovering new paths to achieving peace, justice and environmental sustainability for the whole human family and the entire family of creation.

Declaration of Commitment

As leaders of Catholic Higher Education around the world, we thank Pope Francis for his strong and courageous leadership in addressing the interrelated crises and ways of life threatening Earth in our times. His leadership inspires our own.

Grounded in our unwavering commitment to Truth, to rigorous and proven scientific research of the highest quality, to education in knowledge and critical thinking that forms and empowers future leaders dedicated to universal Christian values and to serving the global common good,

We commit ourselves as leaders in Catholic Higher Education to work together regionally and globally, through all the means available to and appropriate for our colleges and universities as institutions of higher learning, to study, promote, and act on the ideals and vision of integral ecology laid out by Pope Francis.

More specifically, we commit ourselves as leaders in Catholic Higher Education globally to integrate care for the planet, integral human development, and concern for the poor within our research projects, our educational curricula and public programming, our institutional infrastructures, policies and practices, and our political and social involvements as colleges and universities.

Through this research, education, and institutional engagement, we will take up the vital roles proper to higher education in the formation of global ecological citizens and in fostering the open, honest national and international dialogues Pope Francis calls for.

We acknowledge and embrace these moral and religious imperatives to work for a world characterized by global social justice and solidarity which the Gospels, Catholic Social Tradition, and now Pope Francis lay out before us and to which they call us so strongly to dedicate our lives, our work, our energies and our resources.

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Signatures

Mons. Víctor Manuel Fernández, Rector, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Argentina
Alfonso José Gómez Boulin sj, Rector, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Argentina
Greg Craven Professor, Vice-Chancellor, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Christine Verellen Dumoulin, Prof, UCL, Belgium
Xavier Renders, Professeur émérite et ancien vice-recteur, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
Dr. Fábio do Prado, Rector, Centro Universitario da FEI, Brazil
Dr. Álvaro Mendonça Pimentel S.J., Rector, Faculdade Jesuita de Filosofía e Teología (Faje), Brazil
Anna Maria Marques Cintra, Rector, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Brazil
Dr. Josafá Carlos de Siqueira S.J., Rector, Pontificia Universidade Católica do Río de Janeiro (PUC-RIO), Brazil
Pe. Pedro Rubens Ferreira Oliveira S.J., Rector, Universidad Católica de Pernambuco UNICAP, Brazil
José Ivo Follmann PhD, SJ, Vice-President, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos – UNISINOS, Brazil
Marcelo Fernandes de Aquino S.J., Rector, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos-UNISINOS, Brazil
George Nkeze Jingwa Rev. Fr., President, Catholic University Institute of Buea (CUIB), Cameroon
John Meehan S.J., President, Campion College, Canada
David Sylvester, Ph.D., Principal, King’s University College, Canada
Terence Kersch CSB, President, Saint Joseph’s College, Canada
Peter Meehan, President, St. Mark’s College, University of British Columbia
Christopher Adams Ph.D., Rector, St. Paul’s College, Canada
Terrence Downey Ph.D., President, St. Thomas More College, Canada
Gilles Routhier, Doyen, Université Laval FTSR, Canada
Chantal Beauvais, Rectrice, Université Saint-Paul, Canada
Ignacio Sánchez Ph.D., Rector, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Chile
Lic. Fernando Montes S.J., Rector, Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile
Dr. Jorge Humberto Peláez Piedrahita S.J., Rector, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá, Colombia
Dr. Luis Felipe Gómez Restrepo S.J., Rector, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, Colombia
Ernesto Londoño Orozco, Fray, Universidad de San Buenaventura, Colombia
Alvaro Antonio Rodriguez Echeverria, Rector, Universidad de La Salle, Costa Rica
Zeljko Tanjic , Rector, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Mg. José Núñez Mármol S.J., Rector, Instituto Especializado de Estudios Superiores Loyola, Dominican Republic
Dr. Martin Lenk S.J., Rector, Instituto Filosófico Pedro Francisco Bonó, Dominican Republic
Ramón Alfredo De La Cruz Baldera Ph.D., Rector, Pontificia Univ. Católica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Rep.
Dr. Manuel Corrales Pascual S.J., Rector, Pontificia Universida Católica del Ecuador, Ecuador
Ing. Andreu Oliva S.J., Rector, Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas”, El Salvador
Thierry-Marie Courau, President, Dean, COCTI-CICT, Institut catholique de Paris – Theologicum, France
Guy-Réal Thivierge, Secretary General, FIUC/IFCU – International Federation of Catholic Universities, France
Therese LeBrun, President-Recteur delegue, Université Catholique de Lille, France
Philippe Choquet, President, Institut Polytechnique LASALLE Beauvais, France
Dr. Eduardo Valdés Barría S.J., Rector, Universidad Rafael Landívar, Guatemala
Savarimuthu Ignacimuthu, Director, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai, India
Rev. Michael Hayes, President, Mary Immacualte College, Ireland
William Mann, F.S.C., President, International Association of Lasallian Universities, Italy
Luís Vicent Safont, Rector, Universitat Oberta La Salle, Italy
Michael Calmano, S.V.D., President, Nanzan University, Japan
Walid Moussa, President, Notre Dame University, Louaize, Lebanon
Dr. José Morales Orozco S.J., Rector, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente, Mexico
Lic. César Palacios S.J., Rector, ISIA-Instituto Superior Intercultural AYUUK, Mexico
Francisco Ramírez Yáñez Pbro. Lic. , Rector, Universidad del Valle de Atemajac , Mexico
David Fernández Dávalos , Rector, Universidad Iberoamericana Ciudad de México, Mexico
Mtro. Felipe de Jesús Espinosa Torres S.J., Rector, Universidad Iberoamericana León, Mexico
Dr. Fernando Fernández Font S.J., Rector, Presidente de AUSJAL, Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla, Mexico
Dr. Rubén Arceo López S.J., Rector, Universidad Iberoamericana Tijuana, Mexico
Guillermo Prieto Salinas S.J., Rector, Universidad Iberoamericana Torreón, Mexico
Mtro. Enrique Pasta, Rector, Universidad Loyola del Pacífico, Mexico
Emilio Banos, Rector, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, Mexico
Rev. José Idiáquez Guevara, S.J., Rector, Universidad Centroamericana (UCA, Managua), Nicaragua
Ariel Macatangay SDB, Principal, Don Bosco Technological Institute, Papua New Guinea
Dr. Gabriel Insaurralde S.J., Director, Instituto Superior de Estudios Humanísticos y Filosóficos, Paraguay
MARCIAL RUBIO Doctor, Rector, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru: PUCP, Peru
Dr. Ernesto Cavassa S.J., Rector, Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya, Peru
Patricia Campos Olazábal Dra., Rector, Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo, Peru
Dra. Elsa Del Castillo Mory , Rectora, Universidad del Pacífico, Peru
Dionisio Miranda S.V.D., President, University of San Carlos, Philippines
Fabian Rodriguez, S.J., Priest, compannia de Jesus, Puerto Rico
Frantisek Trstensky , Vice-rector, Catholic University in Ruzomberok, Slovak Republic
Eugenia Bieto, Director General, ESADE, Spain
José Sols Lucia, Director de la Cátedra de Ética y Pensamiento Cristiano, IQS – Universidad Ramon Llull, Spain
Gabriel Pérez Alcalá, Rector, Loyola Andalucia, Spain
Rev. Marceliano Arranz, Rector, Real Centro Universitario Mª Cristina, Spain
Carlos Losada M., Director General, UNIJES, Spain
Daniel Sada, Rectory, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Spain
Julio Martinez S.J., Rector, Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Spain
Angel Galindo García, Rector, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Spain
Dr. Augustine C.Y. Tang (唐傳義), President, Providence University, Taiwan
Gerald Pillay, Vice-Chancellor & Rector, Liverpool Hope University, United Kingdom
Peter Lutzeier Ph.D., Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Newman University, Birmingham UK, United Kingdom
Julia M. McNamara Ph.D., President, Albertus Magnus College, United States
Thomas Flynn Ph.D., President, Alvernia University, United States
Mary Meehan Ph.D., President, Alverno College, United States
Michael Galligan-Stierle Ph.D., President, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, United States
Gary Maciag O.F.M., Executive Director, Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities, United States
James Gaffney, F.S.C., President, Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities
Michael Sheeran S.J., President, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, United States
Francesco Cesareo Ph.D., President, Assumption College, United States
Sister Joseph Spring SCC, President, Assumption College for Sisters, United States
Linda M. Bevilacqua OP, President, Barry University, United States
Joseph J. McGowan Jr., President, Bellarmine University, United States
William Carroll, President, Benedictine University, United States
Beverly Wharton, President, Briar Cliff University, United States
Donald Taylor, Ph.D., President, Cabrini College, United States
Nancy Blattner, President, Caldwell University, United States
Daniel Lowery, Ph.D., President, Calumet College of St. Joseph, United States
Suzanne Mellon, Ph.D., President, Carlow University, United States
Thomas Evans Ph.D., President, Carroll College, United States
Mark Francis CSV, President, Catholic Theological Union, United States
Bro. Bernard Ploeger SM, PhD, President, Chaminade University of Honolulu, United States
John Smarrelli Jr., President, Christian Brothers University, United States
Joanne Burrows S.C., President, Clarke University, United States
Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D., President, College of Saint Benedict
Charles Flynn Jr., President, College of Mount Saint Vincent, United States
Helen J. Streuber , President, College of Saint Elizabeth, United States
Maryanne Stevens R.S.M., President, College of Saint Mary, United States
Daniel Hendrickson, S.J., President, Creighton University, United States
Dennis Holtschneider C.M., President, DePaul University, United States
Donna Carroll, President, Dominican University, United States
Charles Dougherty Ph.D., President, Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit, United States
Sr. Janet Eisner, S.N.D., President, Emmanuel College, United States
Jeffrey von Arx S.J., President, Fairfield University, United States
Anne Prisco Ph.D., President, Felician College, United States
Joseph McShane, S.J., President, Fordham University, United States
John DeGioia, Ph.D., President, Georgetown University, United States
Joseph Marbach Ph.D., President, Georgian Court University, United States
Thayne McCulloh Ph.D., President, Gonzaga University, United States
Kathleen Owens, President, Gwyned, Mercy University, United States
Brother John Paige C.S.C., President, Holy Cross College, United States
S. Maureen McGarrity C.S.F.N., President, Holy Family University, United States
Robert Niehoff S.J., President, John Carroll University, United States
Joseph Nyre, Ph.D., President, Iona College, United States
Candace Introcaso C.D.P., President, La Roche College, United States
Colleen Hancyz, Ph.D., President, La Salle University, United States
Linda LeMura , President, Le Moyne College, United States
James Gaffney, F.S.C., President, Lewis University, United States
Jim Collins, President, Loras College, United States
David Livingston Ph.D., President, Lourdes University, United States
Timothy Law Snyder, President, Loyola Marymount University, United States
John Pelissero, Ph.D., Interim President, Loyola University Chicago, United States
Rev. Brian F. Linnane S.J., President, Loyola University Maryland, United States
Kevin Wildes S.J., President, Loyola University New Orleans, United States
Brennan O’Donnell, President, Manhattan College, United States
Michael Lovell Ph.D., President, Marquette University, United States
Anne Munley IHM, President, Marywood University, United States
Thomas Gamble Ph.D., President, Mercyhurst University, United States
Thomas Botzman Ph.D., President, Misericordia University, United States
Laurie Hamen J.D., President, Mount Mercy University, United States
Joel Thierstein J.D., Ph.D., Interim President, Mount St. Joseph University, United States
Simon Newman, Ph.D., President, Mount Saint Mary’s University
James Maher C.M., President, Niagara University, United States
Judith Maxwell Greig, President, Notre Dame de Namur University, United States
Marylou Yam, President, Notre Dame of Maryland University, United States
Jane Ann Slater CDP, PhD, President, Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio, United States
Robert Gervasi, President, Quincy University, United States
John Fitzgibbons S.J., President, Regis University, United States
Thomas Curran S.J., President, Rockhurst University, United States
John Petillo Ph.D., President, Sacred Heart University, United States
Steven DiSalvo Ph.D., President, Saint Anselm College, United States
Dr. James Dlugos, President, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, United States
Robert Pastoor, Ed.D., President, Saint Joseph’s College of Indiana, United States
Kevin Gillespie S.J., President, Saint Joseph’s University, United States
Sr. Jane Gerety, R.S.M., President, Salve Regina University, United States
Fred Pestello , President, Saint Louis University, United States
Roy Heynderickx Ph.D., President, Saint Martin’s University, United States
Dottie King Ph.D., President, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, United States
Carol Ann Mooney, President, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States
William Mann, F.S.C., President, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
Eugene J. Cornacchia , President, Saint Peter’s University, United States
Norman Hipps O.S.B., President, Saint Vincent College, United States
Jane Gerety RSM, President, Salve Regina University, United States
Michael Engh S.J., President, Santa Clara University, United States
Stephen Sundborg S.J., President, Seattle University, United States
A. Gabriel Esteban, President, Seton Hall University, United States
Mary C. Finger Ed.D., President, Seton Hill University, United States
Br. Edward Coughlin, OFM, President, Siena College, United States
Peg Albert O.P, President, Siena Heights University, United States
Christopher Puto Ph.D., President, Spring Hill College, United States
Joan Lescinski C.S.J., President, St. Ambrose University, United States
Margaret Carney, OSF, President, St. Bonaventure University, United States
George Martin Ph.D., President, St. Edward’s University, United States
Conrado “Bobby” Gempesaw , President, St. John’s University, United States
John Denning,C.S.C. , President, Stonehill College, United States
Judith Huntington, President, The College of New Rochelle, United States
Patricia McGuire, President, Trinity Washington University, United States
Bassam Deeb , President, Trocaire College, United States
Daniel Curran, President, University of Dayton, United States
Antoine Garibaldi Ph.D., President, University of Detroit Mercy, United States
Sister Elise Kriss, President, University of Saint Francis, United States
Rhona Free, President, University of Saint Joseph, United States
Diane Steele S.C.L. Ph.D., President, University of Saint Mary, United States
Mary E. Lyons, President, University of San Diego, United States
Paul Fitzgerald S.J., President, University of San Francisco, United States
Arvid Johnson Ph.D., President, University of St. Francis, United States
Pamela Reid Ph.D., President, University of St. Joseph, United States
Julie Sullivan, President, University of St. Thomas, United States
Robert Ivany, Ph.D., President, University of St Thomas (Houston), United States
Marcella Garus CSSF, President, Villa Maria College, United States
Peter Donohue O.S.A., President, Villanova University, United States
Richard Jusseaume , President, Walsh University, United States
James Fleming S.J., President, Wheeling Jesuit University, United States
Michael Graham S.J., President, Xavier University, United States
Dr. Eduardo Casarotti S.J., Rector, Vicepresidente de AUSJAL, Universidad Católica del Uruguay, Uruguay
Mg. María del Pilar Loyo , Directora, Instituto Universitario Jesús Obrero, Venezuela
Dr.José Virtuoso S.J., Rector, Vicepresidente de AUSJAL, Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Venezuela
Dr. Javier Yonekura , Rector, Universidad Católica del Táchira, Venezuela
Jean-Bosco Matand Bulembat , Recteur, Universite Catholique du Congo, Congo