Diploma in Integral Ecology
“Today, we have to realize that
a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach;
it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment,
so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. ”
Pope Francis Laudato Si’ (#49)
Challenged by the growing ecological crisis and impelled by Pope Francis’ call for ecological conversion, Loyola School of Theology is now offering a Diploma Program in Integral Ecology. This program addresses the urgent environmental issues and explores alternative perspectives and lines of action. Following the insights of Pope Francis’ Encycical Laudato Si’, this program uses the lenses of Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, Moral Theology and Interreligious Spirituality to reflect on the political, cultural, economic and scientific aspects of the damage we have inflicted on our common home.
Integral Ecology can be completed in two semesters: three courses in the First Semester, from August to December, and two courses in the Second Semester from January to May. Students have the option to enroll as credit or audit students. For their final course requirement, students will submit pastoral project proposals that are relevant to their local churches, schools and communities. Integral Ecology is designed for religious, seminarians, and faith-based workers, including teachers and catechists, as well as environmental activists, who wish to take very seriously “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor”.
Any and all course offerings of the Diploma Program in Integral Ecology are open to LST students doing their respective fields of specialization in the STB, MA, STL, PhD, DMin and STD. To earn credit for these courses, however, students must meet academic requirements set for each of the individual courses. Please see the Vice President for Academic Affairs for advisement concerning which courses many be taken for the various degree programs.
REQUIREMENTS / PREREQUISITES
Admission Requirements
No prior philosophy or theology courses are required for enrollment in the Diploma Program in Integral Ecology.
For non-English speaking international students: only those who have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and have completed an English language course in the Philippines may apply and be admitted to the Program.
To apply to the Diploma Program, please accomplish the LST Student Online Application Receiver (SOAR): https://forms.lst.edu/forms/a002/
Tuition and Fees
For a new student taking 9 units or 3 courses in the First Semester, the cost is around PhP 32,000.00. For one taking 6 units or 2 courses in the Second Semester, the cost is around PhP 21,000.00. Computation is based on LST tuition and fees for SY 2025-2026.
Scholarships will be available to select students. To apply, please accomplish our online form: https://lst.edu/admission/application/scholarship-form/
For complete information regarding admission procedures to the various academic programs of Loyola School of Theology, click here.
Curriculum
First Semester
[Biblical Theology]
TMP 215.03 Biblical Perspectives on Ecology
This course examines biblical attitudes and values through a close study of selected texts from Sacred Scriptures. Texts will be studied in light of the ancient physical, social, political, and religious sitz-im-leben or setting in life in which they arose. The course includes an evaluation of the implications of biblical thought for contemporary Church life and ministry.
[Systematic Theology]
TMP 226.05 Theology of Ecology
This course draws from the richness of Catholic tradition, especially from Laudato Si’, the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) and the ecofeminist traditions, so our faith is enriched by the plural local religio-cultural traditions and practices of sustainability of life in our common home through our dialogue with the religions, cultures and the poor in our diverse contexts.
[Spirituality]
TMP 257.05 Spirituality of Ecology
This course studies the connection between spirituality and our common ecological well-being, offering scriptural, historical, and theological themes from Christian tradition, and exploring contemporary themes and issues including interfaith perspectives, to provide students with resources for a holistic vision of reality that will ground spiritual practice which nurtures commitment and sustained engagement toward the ecological healing of our global community.
Second Semester
[Moral Theology]
TMP 232.20 Ethics of Ecology
The worsening state of the environment is a serious global concern. Many solutions, such as Sustainable Development, have become central in environmental discourse. They focus, however, on economic and socio-political aspects of the problem and fail to be holistic. This course presents a critique of these frameworks and proposes a paradigm for environmental sustainability centered on moral and theological virtues.
[Pastoral Theology]
TMP 226.04 The Church, Politics and Economics Related to Ecology
This course studies the relationships between political, economic and social factors with environmental issues and concerns, analyzing the complexities surrounding environment and development. It investigates the Church’s involvement in responding to the challenges posed by socio-political and economic decisions which result in degradation and marginalization, environmental conflict, pollution, etc.
Faculty
Fr. Francis D. Alvarez, SJ, STL, PhD Theology and Education, Boston College. “Francis” is a regular columnist in The Philippine Star and a member of the management team of the Jesuit Communication Foundation. His dissertation, “The Unfolding of Your Word (Psalm 119:130): The Pedagogy of the Psalms, is a study of how Scripture teaches and how we can take advantage of its transformative power today.
Fr. Abundio R. Babor Jr, MSC, STD Accademia Alfonsiana, Pontifical Lateran University (Rome). “Jayar” is Dean of Studies of MSC Scholasticate and Collegiate Formation House. He teaches in Maryhill School of Theology and Institute of Formation and Religious Studies. His dissertation, “From Sustainable Development to Sustainable Community: Toward a Moral Paradigm for Environmental Sustainability,” reveals his deep concern for the environment.
Sr. Bernardita Dianzon, FSP, STL, PhD Sacred Scriptures, Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome). “Sr. Bernie” teaches Biblical Theology at Loyola School of Theology, specializing on Pauline theology and spirituality. She has given seminars and retreats on St. Paul in Australia, Asia and Africa. She got the Best in Spirituality and Emerging Author Award from Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Award for her book, “Glimpses of Paul and His Message”.
Fr. Jee Vui M. Fung, SJ, PhD Contextual Theology, Association of Chicago Theological Schools. “Jojo” is full-time professor at LST. His numerous publications on indigenous communities and spiritualities in South East include “Creation is Spirited and Sacred, Ripples on the Water: Believers in the Indigenous Struggle for A Society of Equals, and A Shamanic Pneumatology in a Mystical Age of Sacred Sustainability.”
Fr. Manuel J. Montesclaros, SJ, SSL Sacred Scripture, Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome). “Fr. Manol” has served as Professor of Sacred Scriptures and Director of Human and Spiritual Formation at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City and San Jose Seminary in Quezon City. He is currently assistant professor of Biblical Theology at Loyola School of Theology.
Ms. Rachel Joyce Marie O. Sanchez, PhD in Theology, Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City). “Rae” was 2nd place winner of the Elizabeth Schoessler Fiorenza New Scholar Award given by the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion in 2016. She is currently teaching at the Ateneo de Manila University and is a member of the Ecclesia of Women in Asia. Her research interests include contextual, postcolonial and feminist theologies.
Ms. Edna Zapanta Manlapaz, PhD. “Edna” is coordinator of the Diploma Program in Integral Ecology. A long-time faculty member of the Department of Language and Literature at Ateneo de Manila University, Edna has published 14 books, focused mostly on Filipino women writers in English. She cofounded the Ateneo English Language Center for Teaching (ACELT) and the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings (ALIWW).
Ms. Carmen Valdes, PhD in Christian Spirituality, Graduate Theological Union (California). Pinky’s calling has always been to teach. Her passion has always been in the field of Spirituality. Although she has a Masters Degree in Education Management from De La Salle University as a basis for her educational career, she set out to update her foundations in Spirituality and Theology and to hone her skills in these areas by completing a Master Degree in Theology at USF, San Francisco in 1995 and a Ph.D. in Philosophy majoring in Christian Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union/UC Berkeley in 2005.
Ruben L.F. Habito, D.Litt.C., Tokyo University (Visiting Faculty). Ruben is a former Jesuit now master practicing in the Sanbo Kyodan lineage of Zen. In his early youth he was sent to Japan on missionary work where he began Zen practice under Yamada Koun-roshi, a Zen master who taught many Christian students, which was unusual for the time. In 1988, Ruben received Dharma transmission from Yamada Koun. He founded the lay organization Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, Texas. He has taught at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University since 1989.
Consulting Partners
Individuals: Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Executive Director, National Secretariat for Social Action. Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines; Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Director, Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards)
Institutions: Manila Observatory (MO); Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC) Ateneo de Manila University; Environment, Society, & Sustainable Development Cluster, School of Social Science; Livable Cities and Sustainable Communities; Ateneo de Manila University Department of Sociology/Anthropology; Ateneo de Manila University Department of Environmental Science; Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS); Green Convergence; Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM-Pilipinas)
For more information, contact:
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Call 426-6430 to 35, vpacademic@lst.edu