Challenging the Levels: The Catholic Church as a Multi-Level Actor in the Transition to a Climate-Compatible Society

Abstract

Climate compatibility is a cornerstone in the ecological transformation of modern society. In order to achieve sustainable development in all areas of society, numerous social actors must participate. This article examines the potential for the Catholic Church in German-speaking countries to contribute to such change. To this end, in contrast to most current studies, the Church is conceptualized as a multi-level actor instead of focusing only on the top of the hierarchy. Case studies are used to explore how various Church actors in different fields of social action evoke ecological awareness among members and non-members alike or participate in changing social structures.

Perceptions of Congolese Students about Climate Change and their Recommended Actions for Raising Climate Change Awareness in the Community

“…The awareness-raining activities can be extended to civil society organisations, including religious bodies, as many respondents thought that churches can be used to reach out to a broad group of the population and convey to them a message on climate change because they have the ability to organise large gatherings. The students' thinking was in line with the findings of many studies that have acknowledged the roles of religions and civil society organisations for addressing climate issues [38]. The pivotal roles of religion in matters of climate change and environmental justice are based on their teachings, influence and ability to inspire adherents and disseminate worldviews that empower environmental attitudes and actions [38].…”

“…The students' thinking was in line with the findings of many studies that have acknowledged the roles of religions and civil society organisations for addressing climate issues [38]. The pivotal roles of religion in matters of climate change and environmental justice are based on their teachings, influence and ability to inspire adherents and disseminate worldviews that empower environmental attitudes and actions [38].…”

Generational approaches to climate change with special regard to tourism and recreational habits - Results of a Hungarian survey

“…Discussing this topic, several authors emphasize the gratifying fact that climate-conscious morality has finally got into the mainstream of public discourse, politics and mass communication. Over the years, the issue has clearly outgrown the scientific community (Mackenthun 2021;Ostheimer -Blanc 2021). More and more factors, interests and phenomena are related to it, including political discourses, economic considerations and the involvement and responsiveness of certain social cultures to the issue (Wieding et al 2020;Kriston 2018;Bereczki 2012).…”

Religious Environmental Activism

“…They can arguably draw on their networks and prominence to impact public debates, create awareness for environmental problems, and influence decision-making processes (Reder 2012;Schaefer 2016;Wardekker et al 2009). Furthermore, authors underlining the potentials of religions have pointed to vast financial resources and infrastructures of religious organizations (e.g., buildings, teaching facilities), arguing that they can employ these to support societal transformations toward environmental sustainability (Gardner 2002(Gardner , 2003Palmer 2013;Blanc and Ostheimer 2019;Ostheimer and Blanc 2021).…”

“…Especially "Le phènomène humaine," published in 1957, has to be named as a central work (Teilhard de Chardin 1958). The Catholic priest was followed in the Germanophone field by various theologians from both traditions: namely, from the Protestant/Lutheran/Reformed field Günter Altner (1975), Jürgen and Wolfhart Pannenberg (2000), and on the Catholic side Alexandre Ganoczy (1983) (Ostheimer/Blanc 2021).…”