> Skip to content
FEATURED:
  • The Evolution of Race in Admissions
Sign In
  • News
  • Advice
  • The Review
  • Data
  • Current Issue
  • Virtual Events
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
Sign In
  • News
  • Advice
  • The Review
  • Data
  • Current Issue
  • Virtual Events
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
  • News
  • Advice
  • The Review
  • Data
  • Current Issue
  • Virtual Events
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
Sign In
ADVERTISEMENT
News
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Show more sharing options
Share
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Copy Link URLCopied!
  • Print

What I’m Reading: ‘Laudato Si’’

By  James T. Harris III
September 25, 2016
James T. Harris III
James T. Harris III

Papal encyclicals are usually not something the average person would pick up as a summer read, but Laudato Si’ may be an exception to that rule. Past encyclicals focused on Roman Catholic doctrine that concerned only those who are in communion with the church. With Laudato Si’, Pope Francis speaks to all humanity and discusses a diversity of concerns germane to most educational institutions’ missions to prepare students for responsible global citizenship.

While the encyclical is clearly a call for greater care of the environment, it also exhorts us to encourage our students to be critical thinkers and to take action on a wide range of global issues. Whether it is the relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet, or the need to address human trafficking, Pope Francis makes it clear that “what is at stake is our own dignity.”

We’re sorry. Something went wrong.

We are unable to fully display the content of this page.

The most likely cause of this is a content blocker on your computer or network. Please make sure your computer, VPN, or network allows javascript and allows content to be delivered from c950.chronicle.com and chronicle.blueconic.net.

Once javascript and access to those URLs are allowed, please refresh this page. You may then be asked to log in, create an account if you don't already have one, or subscribe.

If you continue to experience issues, contact us at 202-466-1032 or help@chronicle.com

James T. Harris III
James T. Harris III

Papal encyclicals are usually not something the average person would pick up as a summer read, but Laudato Si’ may be an exception to that rule. Past encyclicals focused on Roman Catholic doctrine that concerned only those who are in communion with the church. With Laudato Si’, Pope Francis speaks to all humanity and discusses a diversity of concerns germane to most educational institutions’ missions to prepare students for responsible global citizenship.

While the encyclical is clearly a call for greater care of the environment, it also exhorts us to encourage our students to be critical thinkers and to take action on a wide range of global issues. Whether it is the relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet, or the need to address human trafficking, Pope Francis makes it clear that “what is at stake is our own dignity.”

The pope writes that solving complex global issues requires that “no branch of the sciences and no form of wisdom” can be left out of the equation. In this way, he ultimately calls for a deeper understanding of how we are all connected and reinforces the need for liberally educated citizens.

ADVERTISEMENT

A version of this article appeared in the September 30, 2016, issue.
We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
The Workplace
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Explore
    • Get Newsletters
    • Letters
    • Free Reports and Guides
    • Blogs
    • Virtual Events
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
    Explore
    • Get Newsletters
    • Letters
    • Free Reports and Guides
    • Blogs
    • Virtual Events
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
  • The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Write for Us
    • Talk to Us
    • Work at The Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Site Map
    • Accessibility Statement
    The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Write for Us
    • Talk to Us
    • Work at The Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Site Map
    • Accessibility Statement
  • Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Institutional Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
    Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Institutional Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037
© 2023 The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • facebook
  • linkedin